98 Cavalier 2200, 5 speed
I have been having a problem starting my car. The dash lights up and everything works but the starter will not engage. Usually I pop the hood and twist the battery terminals and it would usually start after that. Although it has been taken longer and longer. I just put a new battery in it beacuse the terminals were stripped on the battery. It also has new cables. I cannot get the starter to engage. I want to test tomorrow to see if I am getting power to the starter. Anyone know how to do that\? If I do get power to the starter, it is the starter?? Any other ideas would be great. Thanks rp

also the car can be push started.

Bang on the starter with a wrench or screwdriver while you have someone turn the key. If it starts fine when you beat on it, it's your starter.

Rob





Sold 2/2/05

Has a new starter. It will start when I jump the starter. I put a screwdriver in the positive terminal on the starter to the starter switch post on the starter. Possible ignition or clutch switch?? Thanks for responding

Dead Batt? Put a volt meter on the batt and crank the engine, see what volts it reads.

battery is good and brand new. It starts fine when I jump the starter. Somehow the key won't start it.

Possibly a bad relay. If not, then i'd say it's the ignition switch.

I would guess that it is the clutch switch. Just check it with a multimeter to make sure!

Problem solved, clutch safety switch was shorted.