New to this site, 16 years old, 92 Cavalier auto, 205km, avid car fan, located in toronto. Just wanted to start off by saying hi to everyone on here, and im looking forward to learning on this site.
on to the serious stuff now. I love this car, but a bunch of the small things are really a pain in the ass.
problem 1) ABS light has been on for a loong while. took it to a "trusted" mechanic, the idiot told me not to worry about it. I'm just wondering what are usual things that would turn off ABS? any help is appreciated
2) jerky shifting: Ok, let's face it. This car is SLOW. it really takes a good jab at the throttle to accelerate at a medium rate, and passing is simply out of the question. but for some reason, the car thinks it's going faster than it is, and shifts (especially 1-2) are really jerky, and the exhaust note is a deadly drone.
3) the third brake light WILL NOT GO ON. I dismantle it, and tap the bulb in a bit, and when my brother steps on the brake pedal, it works. I will then reassemble the third brake light assembly (a bitch, btw) and it...just doensn't work.
and then there's all the little stuff: again, imho, the thing is flat-out slow, some wires in the rear defroster don't work, the heat soak is embarrassing, front driver's vent for defroster doesn't work, there's no cabin air filter, so we can't use the heater during the winter, mismatched tires are low on air (mom didn't know the concept of good tires at the time), some airhead keyed both the hood and the trunk, roof looks like it has some sort of acid on it (soda maybe, i found a muffin wrapper on the roof, some dick eating on my car), the driver's seat goes back just enough for me to fit comfortably, a good thing too, otherwise, there would've been no space at all for backseat passengers, the 4 speaker system is unconfortable (read distorted) just under half volume, and for some reason the gas meter sinks down when i start the car, and sways around while driving, driver's window can get really hard to roll down about half way down, the brakes are kinda mushy, and when letting go of the brakes after a stop sign or something of the like, the rear drums hold on for a bit, the thing shoots through oil like beer through a sorierety girl, and the speaker housings intrude in the trunk annoyingly when trying to fit a bike in there, car is kinda loud at speed, e-brake does nothing for about 80% of travel, the lack of airbags is somewhat frightening, and the rear is lower than the front with no passengers, steering requires constant correction go straight, turn signal stalks don't like signalling turns, windshield wipers don't go fast enough in heavy rain, driver's side key takes a couple of wiggles to open, 3 gears is just too little, not to mention 1-2 shift takes place at 50km/h for some reason and 2-3 shift at 51km/h, i can't flash high-beams, dome light mount is slipping, ac is useless, passenger mirror is pointing down for some reason and refuses to move back up, driver's mirror adjuster is wobbly, and im ranting about the bad so ill stop.
now the GOOD. fuel economy is decent, seats are surprisingly comfortable and snug if you sit in the right position, and as @!#$ty as the steering is, for some reason really enjoyable to turn. while acceleration sucks balls, if you stay on it, 150km/h seems like 110 (loud wind noise, 3speed working as hard as possible), really quiet at idle, trunk has plenty of space for groceries, looks fairly decent for its age, and reliability is spotless. this thing has been through a LOT, and still starts on first try, no matter what. no problems whatsoever. suspension strikes a good ride/handling compromise for city driving, my headliner is staying up without the requisite staples, interior has some nice design touches, and just joyriding alone with all the windows rolled down is a pure joy.
good or bad, it's a car, and it's MINE, and i'm happy with it. ( at least until the maxima comes in and this will go to my brother or mom)
any help with the above problems are asked for and appreciated.
Aman Yimmesghen wrote:New to this site, 16 years old, 92 Cavalier auto, 205km, avid car fan, located in toronto. Just wanted to start off by saying hi to everyone on here, and im looking forward to learning on this site.
on to the serious stuff now. I love this car, but a bunch of the small things are really a pain in the ass.
problem 1) ABS light has been on for a loong while. took it to a "trusted" mechanic, the idiot told me not to worry about it. I'm just wondering what are usual things that would turn off ABS? any help is appreciated
dirty wheel speed sensors. or missing wheel speed sensors. but usually the first one.
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2) jerky shifting: Ok, let's face it. This car is SLOW. it really takes a good jab at the throttle to accelerate at a medium rate, and passing is simply out of the question. but for some reason, the car thinks it's going faster than it is, and shifts (especially 1-2) are really jerky, and the exhaust note is a deadly drone.
i'm guessing 2.2 with a three speed? you're right, slow. couldnt get slower really. 90 (crank) hp from the factory. check your catalytic converter. i know mine broke apart and lodged in the muffler of my 89, acted like somewhat of an exhaust brake. loaded up the engine quite a bit, and when the trans didnt slip, it slammed into the next gear.
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3) the third brake light WILL NOT GO ON. I dismantle it, and tap the bulb in a bit, and when my brother steps on the brake pedal, it works. I will then reassemble the third brake light assembly (a bitch, btw) and it...just doensn't work.
change the bulbs. then, test the wiring, get a cheap ($10) multimeter and get real familiar with how to use it, it will become your best friend. if that doesnt solve your problem, there may be a bad connection at the socket where the wires plug into the base of you chimsl (Center High Mounted Stop Lamp) assembly.
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and then there's all the little stuff: again, imho, the thing is flat-out slow, some wires in the rear defroster don't work, the heat soak is embarrassing, front driver's vent for defroster doesn't work, there's no cabin air filter, so we can't use the heater during the winter, mismatched tires are low on air (mom didn't know the concept of good tires at the time), some airhead keyed both the hood and the trunk, roof looks like it has some sort of acid on it (soda maybe, i found a muffin wrapper on the roof, some dick eating on my car), the driver's seat goes back just enough for me to fit comfortably, a good thing too, otherwise, there would've been no space at all for backseat passengers, the 4 speaker system is unconfortable (read distorted) just under half volume,
standard issue cavalier problems. i see nothing out of the ordinary.
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and for some reason the gas meter sinks down when i start the car, and sways around while driving,
bad fuel level sender, live with it, or replace the fuel sender assembly (neighborhood of $300)
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driver's window can get really hard to roll down about half way down,
bad/failing window regulator. best bet is to get a whole door from a wrecker.
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the brakes are kinda mushy, and when letting go of the brakes after a stop sign or something of the like, the rear drums hold on for a bit, the thing shoots through oil like beer through a sorierety girl,
i lol'd. but, flush the brake system, replace the pads/rotors/shoes/drums/rear brake hardware.
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and the speaker housings intrude in the trunk annoyingly when trying to fit a bike in there,
top mount the speakers. preferrably new speakers..
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car is kinda loud at speed,
new muffler/exhaust system
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e-brake does nothing for about 80% of travel,
replace the shoes and drums, if this doesnt fix it, the cable is stretched.
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the lack of airbags is somewhat frightening, and the rear is lower than the front with no passengers,
again, standard issue second gen j body problems.
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steering requires constant correction go straight,
alignment.
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turn signal stalks don't like signalling turns,
eh?
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windshield wipers don't go fast enough in heavy rain, driver's side key takes a couple of wiggles to open, 3 gears is just too little, not to mention 1-2 shift takes place at 50km/h for some reason and 2-3 shift at 51km/h, i can't flash high-beams, dome light mount is slipping, ac is useless, passenger mirror is pointing down for some reason and refuses to move back up, driver's mirror adjuster is wobbly, and im ranting about the bad so ill stop.
now the GOOD. fuel economy is decent, seats are surprisingly comfortable and snug if you sit in the right position, and as @!#$ty as the steering is, for some reason really enjoyable to turn. while acceleration sucks balls, if you stay on it, 150km/h seems like 110 (loud wind noise, 3speed working as hard as possible), really quiet at idle, trunk has plenty of space for groceries, looks fairly decent for its age, and reliability is spotless. this thing has been through a LOT, and still starts on first try, no matter what. no problems whatsoever. suspension strikes a good ride/handling compromise for city driving, my headliner is staying up without the requisite staples, interior has some nice design touches, and just joyriding alone with all the windows rolled down is a pure joy.
good or bad, it's a car, and it's MINE, and i'm happy with it. ( at least until the maxima comes in and this will go to my brother or mom)
any help with the above problems are asked for and appreciated.
welcome to the jbo, we're a bunch of uncaring @!#$s, we'll tell you to search every time there's a question asked, with good reason. its been asked 50 million times (metrically) before. BUT, i was so moved by how well your post was written, and by a 16 year old, i thought i'd take some time to help. you were much more well spoken, properly punctuated, and with better grammar and spelling than most thirtysomethings that frequent this board.
JBO Stickers! Get yours today!
dirty wheel speed sensors. or missing wheel speed sensors. but usually the first one.
- Where can i find the wheel speed sensors? also does this completely disable the ABS? what would i use to clean the sensors?
i'm guessing 2.2 with a three speed? you're right, slow. couldnt get slower really. 90 (crank) hp from the factory. check your catalytic converter. i know mine broke apart and lodged in the muffler of my 89, acted like somewhat of an exhaust brake. loaded up the engine quite a bit, and when the trans didnt slip, it slammed into the next gear.
- yeup...*sigh*. No, the 92 was the first year with the 110 hp engine, but still slow as hell.
change the bulbs. then, test the wiring, get a cheap ($10) multimeter and get real familiar with how to use it, it will become your best friend. if that doesnt solve your problem, there may be a bad connection at the socket where the wires plug into the base of you chimsl (Center High Mounted Stop Lamp) assembly.
- Thing is the bulb works perfectly find when it's slapped in, but not when the assembly's put together.
standard issue cavalier problems. i see nothing out of the ordinary.
- No fix for the front driver's defroster vent? by comparison, the passenger's side is much clearer when the windshield fogs.
bad fuel level sender, live with it, or replace the fuel sender assembly (neighborhood of $300)
- gah.
bad/failing window regulator. best bet is to get a whole door from a wrecker.
- I already need a new left rear door. that thing has been used and abused. dented, miserably repaired with the trim falling off, dented AGAIN, repaired with a freaking hammer and now is cracked. they're manual windows, btw.
i lol'd. but, flush the brake system, replace the pads/rotors/shoes/drums/rear brake hardware.
- buddy if i had that much money i wouldn't be driving a 92 cav lol
top mount the speakers. preferrably new speakers..
- Hm...new speakers could be useful...
new muffler/exhaust system
- Already have one, the problem is wind noise above 60
replace the shoes and drums, if this doesnt fix it, the cable is stretched.
- Would a new cable be costly?
again, standard issue second gen j body problems.
- Sadly
alignment.
- Already got one,im thinking it was like this from stock. oh well.
eh?
- Way too heavy and too much travel. Yes, i know this is a really stupid thing to talk about
welcome to the jbo, we're a bunch of uncaring @!#$s, we'll tell you to search every time there's a question asked, with good reason. its been asked 50 million times (metrically) before. BUT, i was so moved by how well your post was written, and by a 16 year old, i thought i'd take some time to help. you were much more well spoken, properly punctuated, and with better grammar and spelling than most thirtysomethings that frequent this board.
haha thanks. I've been told the same on other car forums. I guess it's just pointless of even posting if no one is going to understand it. thanks for your help. I'll definetely be trying some of those ideas.
