No crank no start issue

Well, I would start by checking to see if power is going to the small terminal on the starter when someone is turning the key to the start position. Power needs to run to the small terminal on the starter solenoid to energize the solenoid for starter operation. Possible causes would be the ignition switch, or possibly the neutral safety switch. Try holding the shifter one way or the other in the park position and try it.

Rowefast, just to be certain we took the battery and starter to a different store and had them tested. They too said they were both good. When we got back my husband put it back together and had me come out to try to start it while he checked the small terminal you had suggested. This time the engine tried to turn over but it never started. My husband says it doesn't sound normal when trying to crank. Any thoughts?

Sounds like the starter is not getting enough juice from the battery. I would make sure the battery cables are in good shape. Do you know when they tested the starter if they load tested it? Not just make it spin?

I am not sure. My husband had me give it some gas while trying to start it and it started that time. He is out test driving it now. I'll ask about the load test when he gets back.

He is back and says that it is driving fine now, idling fine, and the tachometer is not jumping around or anything. He doesn't know if they load tested it or just made it spin.

If the tachometer was jumping around, that is an indication of a bad ground wire, either from the battery, or from the engine to the body, and frame of the vehicle. I would just clean up all ground wires. Just sounds like a bad connection.

Rowefast, today we went to start the car and it wouldn't do anything again. My husband tried wiggling the shifter while trying to start it and it finally started in neutral. Does this sound like the neutral safety switch to you?

Yes it does. But not 100%. Still could have something to do with the ignition switch,

We tested the ignition switch and according to the tester it was getting power. We traced the starter wire from the ignition switch into the engine bay and tested it there as well and it also showed that it was getting power. So knowing that information would you think neutral safety switch. The part isn't cheap so we just wanted someone else's opinion that know more than we do. Lol

Ok I hate this when I'm not there. Indication is it is in the neutral safety switch. Looking at the neutral safety switch it looks like it can be adjusted. When your husband has time I would jack the car up and block it up or put it on jack stands to be safe, get under there and try adjusting it by loosening it up and moving it to another position, and when he has it tighten down you could try and start the car. Keep doing that to see if that is all it needs, too be adjusted. The neutral safety switch may even click, so he could feel for the best spot to tighten it down. Then I'm sure if you took it off you could have someone test it say like at an auto parts store.

I am having the same problem with my 2004 chevy cavalier, it will turn over but will not start. Just replaced the starter and solenoid but still does the same thing, we cleaned all the ground wires and checked battery but nothing... I'm running out of ideas...

Jenny_stover88 Flywheel teeth might have broke off or chipped

My car will not start or crank now there is a noise in the steering wheel and the battery is dead and the key not in and we are here the noise

My chevy cavalier start when l jump direc fromm the cranck fuese, fromm the ignición switch, I check the cables from the ignición switch and the cable yellow the one go to the clutch switch it have no power.

My problem has something to do with the theft system because I put a battery in it now the marker lights blink off an on and it will not turn over even with a jump start.

my 03 chevy caviller will start fine its just when it gets to running timp and u turn it off and try to turn it back on it acts like it has no spark

I experienced the same issue (no crank no start) on the 04 Cavalier my son drives. I determined the issue was with the bushing where the shifter cable attaches to the transmission. The cable came loose and the transmission was not actually in park. I was able to move the transmission into the park position using the shift lever on the transmission. Once the car was actually in park the car started. I replace the bushing and resolved the issue.

Hello, I know this thread is older but I’m in need of help. My 2001 Cavalier is having problems starting but almost bipolar issues because sometimes it starts right up, other times it will be completely dead (no sound or light on dash), and other times it will click and the check engine light and theft system lights come on and that’s it (recently this has been the case). I have had the alternator tested, replaced a 6 month old battery, just had the drive belt replaced. And still no crank, only the check engine and theft system lights come on and I hear the battery clicking and some other electric whirring sounds. In need of help and any suggestions are appreciated. If you happen to be local in the Seattle, WA, and can take a look at it, I would not only appreciate it but also make it well worth your time. Thanks

Rafekruse did u ever figure out the problem my car is doing pretty much the same thing new alternator and battery 2 shops said they dont think its the starter everytime i bring it to get looked at it starts right up no problem for the mechanics but i think its because it was recently driven... the funny part is before changing my battery my clock would always stay on after new battery the clock is still on when i turn car off however when i go to start car clock is off when i put key in when i try to start car clock comes on but the dashboard lights dont unless the car starts anyone have ideas

I have been having intermittent starting issues with my 1998 caviler. Got it for $3000 with 60k miles as a back up for my Saturn. Great shape. Random start problems have been my only issue. Drove it to work this week. Wouldn't start at lunch. Got a tow to the shop and it was starting again. Security light flashes and disables the fuel pump. Not the problem. No click. No crank. No power to stereo. Electrical system was behaving similar to my remote start Saturn. When car is running without key, nothing else has power. Anyway, I left it at the shop, told them it was DEFINITELY an electrical issue, and said I'm not picking it up until they figure it out and fix it. Mechanic started my car three times, then nothing. There was a recall for 1998-2001 Cavaliers where they added a starter relay and grounded it to the rear of the transmission. Ground wire was completely corroded: very poor intermittent ground connection. When he jumped it, car started. Remove the jump, nothing. Charged me for 1 1/2 hour labor. Everything is great. Cheap reliable car with a new alternator, brake lines, and ground wire.