My dad hasa '98 2.2L auto Cavalier. I've been helping him get this car back on the road but it is not being easy.

1st, the car was missing badly and running VERY bad until the car got up to speed. Pulled codes and it came back with P0200 which if I remember right was a fuel injector circuit fault. I troubleshot and found that all the wiring was good so we replaced the computer with a used one from the junk yard. HURRAY!! The car then started and ran great!

2nd, however as soon as you try to drive the car, it would shut the car off when going in drive, but it would do fine in reverse. Well, maybe the junk yard gave my dad a computer for a manual trans car. So back to the junk yard for another computer.

3rd, this time, the car will start, but the motor dies within 2 seconds of the car starting. It's not a spit and sputter kind of die, it's a turn the key off kind of die. Also, the "security" light flashes non stop after the car dies.


Can anyone give me any pointers as to what to do now? I didn't think GM used vin coded computers that would only work in the original vin coded car in J bodies. Am I wrong or is there something else causing this problem?


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91 Cav "GT"<-- R.I.P.
91 Cavalier Wagonstein - Turbocharged wagon goodness
You can take my rifle when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

check wiring, check fuel injectors again, check fuel pump, try another ecu then seafoam it for fun =)

you have to reprogram the computer for the "new" key its reading from the ignition switch. not sure about a '98 cav, but for a '99 grand am, turn the ignition on and leave it on 'till the security light goes out (about 10 min.), then start the car WITHOUT TURNING THE SWITCH TO OFF, and all should be well. let me know if that helps.