2002 Chevy Cavalier won't Start

Sounds like it could be a timing chain issue. Was it making a ticking noise on passenger side of valve cover in the days or weeks prior to it going dead? If so possible the timing chain tensioner failed and it has jumped time.

I honestly don't know about any noises. My daughter didn't mention any. How difficult is it to check for that and fix it?

Get some cables and hook up to another running car for battery power. Turn the ignition key on, verify security light is illuminated. Leave it with the key on. let up to four to ten minutes pass while observing the light. when the light goes out, start the car. take the cables off. Drive to the parts store. ask to read your codes for a security light issue. get the code, google it. see if the bypass trick can be implemented for your year and model of j-body GM car. when you google it, there are many entries to read but it was all fully explained for a J-body car we had here.

We had trouble with our cavilier also. Run perfect one day and not the next. Finally did it while at home and we towed it to our mechanic. He found the fuse box that sits next to the battery had gotten acid on it and the bottom had burned away from acid. We knew the battery was new and the starter was good. We had no dome light or anything inside car.