starting problems

98 cavalier sometimes wont turn over when you turn the key. all the
lights and radio works so i ruled out any battery problems. sometimes
when i turn and hold the key forward for about 10 seconds the car starts
right up but other times you have to repeatedly turn the key forward and
backwards about 10 times before it will start. Im thinking maybe a loose
starter connection or possibly a short in the wiring??? any help is
greatly appreciated

On Wed, 7 Sep 2005 17:03:41 -0400, AnW97@webtv.net (Amber) wrote:

>98 cavalier sometimes wont turn over when you turn the key. all the
>lights and radio works so i ruled out any battery problems. sometimes
>when i turn and hold the key forward for about 10 seconds the car starts
>right up but other times you have to repeatedly turn the key forward and
>backwards about 10 times before it will start. Im thinking maybe a loose
>starter connection or possibly a short in the wiring??? any help is
>greatly appreciated

My first two guesses would be loose electrical connection at the
starter or a bad starter solenoid.

"Amber" <AnW97@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:23882-431F55AD-79@storefull-3116.bay.webtv.net...
> 98 cavalier sometimes wont turn over when you turn the key. all the
> lights and radio works so i ruled out any battery problems. sometimes
> when i turn and hold the key forward for about 10 seconds the car starts
> right up but other times you have to repeatedly turn the key forward and
> backwards about 10 times before it will start. Im thinking maybe a loose
> starter connection or possibly a short in the wiring??? any help is
> greatly appreciated

Is it a high-end Cavalier with a theft prevention system? Do you have a chip
in your key or a 'Security' light on the dashboard? If so, that would cause
the engine to not start but the radio and what not would still work.

On Wed, 7 Sep 2005 17:03:41 -0400, AnW97@webtv.net (Amber) wrote:

>98 cavalier sometimes wont turn over when you turn the key. all the
>lights and radio works so i ruled out any battery problems. sometimes
>when i turn and hold the key forward for about 10 seconds the car starts
>right up but other times you have to repeatedly turn the key forward and
>backwards about 10 times before it will start. Im thinking maybe a loose
>starter connection or possibly a short in the wiring??? any help is
>greatly appreciated

If your key has a 2 chips in it, the key is bad. replace it. $40 to
replace. If you have second key, try that one first.