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[thebigleplowski]

I think I caused the problem by not letting my car warm up.... its very
cold here in Dallas this week due to icy weather... it was warm before
that... My car is a 96 cavailier and has 160,000 Miles on it.. Its been
a while since ive had a problem... my only major repair has been the
transmission... i have had the alternator replaced twice, fan belt,
starter replaced (about 2 years ago) and other minor repairs... battery
been replaced less than a year ago..last time i got an oil change they
suggested i change the spark plugs but i didnt do it...

The past two days my car has been making a bumping or popping sound...
to be honest I havent been letting the car warm up and its very cold
outside 20 degrees... i just start it and take off (stupid me)...

today, my car would not start at all... it sounds like it is going to
start but it just doesnt kick in.. its not totally dead (battery)... no
warning lights have come on in my car the past few days ... just the
strange sound... last time it was cold a month ago my engine light did
come on probbaly bec i didnt let the car warm up enough but the next
day it went off and has been fine since...

Could this be something minor? I am hoping it is not the engine... or
something i did by not letting the car warm up at all in this cold
weather... If it was an engine problem shoudlnt the car at least get
started? Can anyone help out there....

Tom
cleverocks67@comcast.net

[---MIKE---]

Tom, 20 degrees isn't cold. Yesterday morning it was -2° F. I
started my car and drove right off (later in the morning when it had
warmed up a little) with no problem. Warming up a car is not necessary
or even recommended unless it's -30°. Even then a short warm up is
all that is needed.


---MIKE---

[Steve Mackie]

[Woody]

With your knowlege of cars youshould take it to a good mechanic. The 96 is
OBDII compliant and the computer is going to have to be interrigated.
Everything on the engine is controlled by the computer so guessing is not an
option unless you have unlimited money...

[The Adams Family]

Try checking the timing belt, if you have never replaced it and it has
160000 miles, it is probably due for one. Of course first thing to do is
check for spark, then try putting a little gas down the throttle body and
see if it runs for a couple of seconds. If it does run like this maybe the
fuel pump is bad.



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[Al Bundy]

Not warming the car up doesn't do any damage. From your description the
engine may need a good tune-up though. And the problem could still be
as simple as the battery. A weak battery would still turn the engine
over yet not allow the electronics to produce a spark needed to start.
Many people are being fooled by this phenomenon that did not exist in
the old days of 15 years ago or so.

[Woody]

96 Cavalier has a timing chain not a belt....

[mrmottoh]

Try the fuel filter, some times if they go bad your car will sputter and bod as you described. Fuel pumps are only 10.00 dollars, I have the same year cavalier, mine had the same prob.