hi i,m new but old i have been looking around for like a year now on this website love it its the best . Now to the problem my parents have a 97 Z24. It started when they did not turn the car on for 3 or 4 days then the car would turn on but when the car was shifted into gear it turned on all the dash lights.Mostly the day time driving light (blinking) the car will still be on but then after awhile all the dash lights would come on. the rpm's would go down and up. we need help.we changed the alernator, plugs and the whole 2.4 cover meaning coils etc. the car after it does this it sometimes does not want to start ,but when you let it cool off it turns on. If you guy's have any answers to this ? or have any comments please let me know. THANK YOU.... On another note cavaliers been in this family for 12 or more years i just sold an 89 and a 97 Z24 my self so weve come to love these cars there have been 6 Z24's in this family we love them.... thank you again

My 97 Sunfire had a freak out similar to that. My instrument cluster was bad. It caused the DRL's to stop (with the blinking DRL light stuff), have random flashing of idiot lights, etc. The instrument cluster also has ties to the ECM and the theft deterrent function. That might explain the starting problem. Clusters are not expensive used and can be used on any car of the same model (ie Z24) and year. If you go that route, all you have to do is:
1) Remove negative battery cable
2) Install replacement cluster
3) Replace negative battery cable
4) Crank the car, but do not start it
5) Leave the ignition on. The theft deterrent idiot light will be flashing.
6) After ten minutes, the ECM will read the instrument cluster's codes, and the theft deterrent light will stop flashing.

The car will now start, and hopefeully, your problems will be solved.

It took me about 1 hour to replace the cluster. It's really not too hard to get the cluster out. There may be a thread somewhere that gives instruction on how to get the top of the dash off.

The odometer will not be correct, but that isn't a problem with me, I plan to drive the car until it's junk. I guess it could be a problem if you plan to sell the car, but a dealer can legally set the odometer and file the appropriate paperwork.

Thank you we will try that come monday. Yesterday my dad took it for a ride to get gas it turned on but again those dash lights rpm up down etc. But thank you very much i will be doing that..