1991 CHEVROLET CAVALIER Electrical System Problems

STARTER WAS REPLACED, AND DID NOT FIT PROPERLY IN THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE STARTER TO COM ELOOSE/ SHAKE. BOLTS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR A TEENAGE DRIVER. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $L,000 TO BRING IT UP TO SPEED - FUEL FILTER, OIL & AIR FILTERS, SERPENTINE BELT RADIATOR IGNITION SWITCH (KEY & TUMBLER), TIRES, FRONT BRAKE PADS, FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, REAR BRAKE SHOES. IT WILL SOON NEED A NEW MUFFLER, AND MY MECHANIC NOW INFORMS ME THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING. HE SAID HE SEES QUITE A FEW OF CAVALIERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WONDERS IF THERE IS A SILENT RECALL THAT COULD HELP ME WITH THE POSSIBLE $600.00 COST TO REPAIR. *AK

STEERING STIFFENED/LOCKED AS DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, CAUSING MINOR CONTACT WITH ADJACENT PARKED VEHICLE. FOLLOWING CONTACT, VEHICLE STOPPED AND STEERING WHEEL REALIGNED (WITH GREAT EFFORT) TO COMPLETE PARKING. AFTER PARKING, KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION SWITCH, AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT CONTINUE RUNNING AFTER STARTING (ONLY 1-2 SECONDS). AFTER LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP RETRIEVED VEHICLE, SERVICE REP STATED HE "KNEW WHAT HAPPENED" WHEN INCIDENT DESCRIBED AND VEHICLE IDENTIFIED AS '91 CAVALIER. IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY REPLACED, NO PROBLEM SINCE. VEHICLE REPAIR COST $327; DAMAGE TO ADJACENT VEHICLE $450. I THINK THIS IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE MODE, INVOLVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKING, IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT. AS A MINIMUM, I FEEL I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS AND DAMAGES.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAIL WITHOUT ADDING PRESSURE TO THE IGNITION SWITCH, ONLY OPERATE WHEN HOLDING IGNITION SWITCH.

DRIVER'S SIDE WIRING HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM REMAINED FUNCTIONING AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED FROM THE BACK OF THE DASH FOREWARD. FRONT SUSPENSION MELTED AND THE FRONT BRAKES FUSED INTO ONE PIECE.

ALTERNATOR FAILED.

THE STARTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE IN DECEMBER OF 96, IN FEBRUARY OF 97 AT 70,000 MILES. BECAUSE THE OVERRUN CLUTCH BURNS OUT, THE STARTER IS BEING REPLACED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME REASON AT 89,000 MILES. THE FLYWHEEL HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED IN JANUARY OF 97 BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK

PROM FAILURE.

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, PE93-090, THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE.*AK

THE WIRING UNDER THE HOOD OVERHEATED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURE, INTIALLY DASH AND REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, ALSO DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT DUE TO SHORT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT FAILURE, INITIALLY DASH AND REAR LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, ALSO DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHT SUDDENLY WENT OUT DUE TO SHORT

VEHICLE HORN CAME OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. *AK

VEHICLE HORN CAME OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING. *AK

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE HARNESS. TT

THE WINDSHEILD WIPER STOPPED WORK AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. TT

ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSING THE WIRING HARNESS TO CATCH FIRE. TT

DISTRIBUTOR BECOMES WET AND FAILS. TT