Hi everyone,

I'm only 17, but I do know my way around cars and how to install/replace things like body kits, audio systems, most engine bay parts (batteries, alternators, starters), or my dad will help me.

Anyways, I finally got very serious about buying a car and my brother's friend just happened to have one of the cars I was hoping to buy (either a Cavalier, Civic, or Integra). It's a 96 coupe, and it was only $250! He said it wouldn't start though, and I thought it was a good deal even if I couldn't get it fixed.

Well, here's the problem: when I first went to go look at it, it started up fine but it only stayed on for about 10 to 20 seconds, then it cut off, now it'll only crank and crank and crank. If I spray starter fluid in the throttle body (where the intake leads to), and then try starting it, it'll start right up but will die if I give it gas or just turn off by itself after a few seconds.

The only thing I've tried so far is testing the fuel pump relay, which clicks when I turn the car to ON. Can someone please offer a few suggestions I could try or common Cavalier problems that would cause this?

Thanks very, very, very much in advance!
Nate

[EDIT - Added info below]
PS - The horn doesn't work, not sure if that has anything to do with the problem or not, any help with that would be great. Oh, and I have the Haynes Manual.

can you hear the fuel pump run for a second or so when you first turn key to on position? Filter plugged ?

Well, before I didn't think I could, but now it sounds like I can hear it go for a second or two.

When I turn the car to just ON, the Theft System light stays lit, is this bad? I'm thinking of turning the car to the on position, then unplugging the fuel line from the tank to the fuel filter to see if fuel comes out, which would mean the pump is good, then try the other end of the fuel filter.

But please, anyone, any other suggestions would be very appreciated!

Thanks,
Nate

Well, I went outside a few minutes ago and tried cranking it a few times, and once it started by itself then immediately died. I left it on the on position, and the check engine and theft system lights turned off, but came back on after a crank or two again.

I got my friend Tyler to turn the car to the on position while I went next to the fuel tank side of the car and listened for the fuel pump. I opened the door and the car doesn't have a fuel cap, which my dad said could, though its unlikely, cause not enough pressure in the fuel tank...or something along those lines :-p. Anyways, I didn't hear it whirring or anything, and when I bought it I was told the fuel pump was diagnosed as the problem for it not starting but then I saw all kinds of posts where it was the Theft System and other things so I thought I might post and see what happened.

Anyways...I called a few places, one has the pump for $45, but no assembly, I'm not sure if I'd need that or not...any insight, please?

having no gas cap could also cause the gas to become contaminated, wich in turn could have possibly caused the tank to rust on the inside, which contaminates the gas even more, which could have caused you to have a no-start problem. so what i would do is check the gas for water (take some out and let it sit...see if any water raises to the top...very simple check[you can get the sample by doing your little test a few times])

Well, I went outside a few minutes ago and tried cranking it a few times, and once it started by itself then immediately died. I left it on the on position, and the check engine and theft system lights turned off, but came back on after a crank or two again.

I got my friend Tyler to turn the car to the on position while I went next to the fuel tank side of the car and listened for the fuel pump. I opened the door and the car doesn't have a fuel cap, which my dad said could, though its unlikely, cause not enough pressure in the fuel tank...or something along those lines :-p. Anyways, I didn't hear it whirring or anything, and when I bought it I was told the fuel pump was diagnosed as the problem for it not starting but then I saw all kinds of posts where it was the Theft System and other things so I thought I might post and see what happened.

Anyways...I called a few places, one has the pump for $45, but no assembly, I'm not sure if I'd need that or not...any insight, please?

I think the theft system light is supposed to flash if that's what's causing the fault. But what you're describing almost sounds like the theft system light.

Go out, put the key in, and start it. If it starts then dies right away it's because the ECU has turned off the fuel injectors. Any time you try after that the injectors will remain off and it'll just crank and crank and crank forever. If it does this, turn it off, and remove the key completely. Put it back in and try to start it again. See if it starts and dies right away again. If it does, it's the antitheft system. Which could be caused by something simple, like someone changing the gauge cluster. Here's how to do teh passkey relearn if this is what's happening.

1) Put in the key
2) Turn to the ON position (DO NOT try to start the engine)
3) Leave it sit like this for 11 minutes (10 mins 59 seconds)
4) Turn the key to start

The passkey should learn and re-start that way.

The gas cap itself being off shouldnt cause it to not start, but contamination in the tank could. The cap being off will make it run like crap though.

The gas cap could be a problem. GM put a system in these cars that will shut the car off if the gas cap is not closed, or closed tightly enough.

The gas cap could be a problem. GM put a system in these cars that will shut the car off if the gas cap is not closed, or closed tightly enough.
thats not true
your check engine light MIGHT come on, but thats it
my 98 2.2 has been running perfect for over 2 years now without a gas cap, havent even had a check engine light come on yet