93 Cavalier

[Pony]

I have a 93 Chevy Cavalier. 2.2L with about 125,000 miles on it. To be fair I drive in VERY infrequently but I let my sister use it to drive to and from school. Today she complained that it begain to shake badly and stall......she has claimed this to have happened once before. Both times it was on a particularly moist day. It hardly ever happens. She took it into the shop before I could look at it, but it apparently worked fine for them. Question is what do you guys think may be the culprit. I was thinking some wires may be getting wet or water in the gas (she insists she put in heet yesterday before this happened). I know this isnt much info to go on, just thinking maybe others have some similar conditions lead to something......

 

[JB]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Intake icing.

 

[vipzach]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Does that have a dist cap? If so take a look at it, I had a car once that when I washed it or it rained it would run like crap. Turned out it had a cracked dist. cap. Easy thing to check and replace if needed.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 93 Cavalier

If this car is a 3sp automatic, and this shaking/stalling happens when she's slowing down for a traffic light, I will bet it's the lockup torque converter solenoid. If that's not when it does it, I haven't a clue.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 93 Cavalier

What TillamWe said. If that is what its doing you can disconnect the electrical plug from the tranny and keep on driving it. Its a square, blue, 4 prong plug. Should be on the upper front of the tranny, close to the bellhousing.

 

[heyttown]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Ive had the same problem with my dads van....Any damp or humid days the van either wouldnt start or ran really crappy and rough.<br /><br />Replaced the plugs,and wires(just because they were easy to change) But turned out to be a broken Dist cap.It was just a small hairline crack which was hard to see.

 

[dolluper]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Might want to check the grounds condition,esp the one at the bottom of the rad support [underneath]common trouble,follow the harness to it

 

[Pony]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Thanks guys....when I get home later I will check the grounds and cap etc......then go on to the lockup torque converter solenoid if need be.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Just be aware, that torque convertor problem will not happen until the engine is completely warmed up, and it might take a few minutes after that.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 93 Cavalier

Pony if the converter is not unlocking it will act like a manuel transmission, ie. comming to a stop in gear and not pressing the clutch. It will restart but if still locked up will die again when put in gear, repeatidly untill it unlocks. Usually a converter problem which requires replacement.<br /><br />Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, die. Doh!!!

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 93 Cavalier

They don't die if you restart in Neutral, rev the motor to about 1750, pull it into drive, and spin the tires when you launch! That's how I drove it for a week! But mine was a 1990 Cavalier Z-24, so that 3.1 had plenty of power to spin the tires!

 

[fireship1]

Re: 93 Cavalier

If it hasn't been done in a while a good tune-up is probably in order. Fuel filter, air filter, PCV valve, Dist cap and rotor, Wire set and new plugs. I usually do a compression test before I replace plugs (have to take 'em out anyhoo.) Ignition components break down from the high voltage and underhood heat they are exposed to. You will be surprised how much better it will idle and drive after that.