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2004 chevy cavalier: engine cranks..instrument cluster light..guages

 
GM Tech (Cam)'s Avatar
  • Answered by:GM Tech (Cam)
  • Chevy Technician
  • Positive Feedback: 99.1 %
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Customer Question

I have a 2004 chevy cavalier it the engine shut off while I was driving it. The engine cranks over but will not start. None of the lights in the instrument cluster light up when I turn the key on, also, none of the guages move. Basically, almost everything that works with the key on will not work. The wipers, turn signals, radio, etc... will not work. The blower on the heater will still turn on and the radio will still eject a CD and show the time, but otherwise it shows no sign of life. The alarm system still works as does the keyless entry. The theft light will blink when the alarm is set. That is the only light that will come on. Of course the hazard lights and headlights still work. There is no fire at the plugs and the fuel pump is not coming on. I have checked all of the fuses and relays in both fuse boxes in the dash and under the hood. I know there must be some other hidden relays and fuses in the car which I have not checked. I hooked up an OBD2 scanner and keep getting a link error. I checked the DLC and pin 16 has the same voltage as the battery. Pins 4 & 5 are both grounded. The only other pin is number 2, which I know is the BUS which I think has the ISO standard J1850; however, I do not know what reading I should be able to get from Pin 2. Does it have a certain resistance or voltage that I can check? I am thinking that either the BCM is not sending a signal to the PCM to let the car start or the TDM is keeping the car from starting or something strange with the ignition cylinder, it does have that piece of crap PASSLOCK. I think it is passlock II. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

Optional Information:
Year : 2004
Make : Chevrolet
Model : Cavalier
Engine : 2.2 Eco-tech

Submitted: 386 days and 9 hours ago.
Category: Chevy
Value: $22
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  GM Tech (Cam) replied386 days and 9 hours ago.

Hello, I'm Cam. Please include all the details about your issue so I can accurately advise you. I cannot see your vehicle so please be detailed.

Passlock will not kill the wipers and such, so lets look elsewhere.
Do you have a remote starter installed?

Customer replied386 days and 9 hours ago.

No remote starter. What can keep the scanner from connecting? What other details do you want? I can't really think of anything else other than what I included in my details in my question? Thanks.

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Expert:  GM Tech (Cam) replied386 days and 9 hours ago.

The presence of a remote starter may block it from connecting.
The BUS is a class 2 network that has a peak voltage of 7volts, and when active has around 2.5V.

IF there is a short to power, short to ground or a module on the network prevening it from working then it would not connect.
What scan tool are you using?

Also with the check engine light not coming on, it makes me think there is a power issue to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). CAn you try jumping the pins at the switch, the thick red to the thick pink and see what happens with the light?
It it comes on then you will need to replace the igntion switch .
IF not then we need to test power, ground and the data line to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

Customer replied386 days and 8 hours ago.

I do not have a remote starter. The scan tool is an Actron CP9580, here is a link to the product info. http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16364 So you are saying that I should get 2.5V to 7V from pin 2 if it is working correctly, right? I will try jumping the wires at the switch, but it will be tomorrow or Monday before I can since the car is stuck at my mom's house. LOL. I would go do it right now, but it is about 20 miles away. I will try that and get back to as soon as I can. Thank you very much!!

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  GM Tech (Cam) replied386 days and 8 hours ago.

Correct but if the PCM is not awake, it will not connect. That scanner only is for the emissions system so even if the Body Control Module (BCM) is alive and awake it would not connect with that.

Expert TypeChevy Technician
Category: Chevy
Pos. Feedback: 99.1 %
Accepts: 13923
Answered: 4/29/2012

Experience: GM Grand Master Technician 2007. 11 years experience.

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Customer replied384 days and 20 hours ago.

Would that scanner let me know if there was a problem with the BCM or with the passlock system if the PCM is awake? When I connected the pink and red wires the lights in the instrument cluster woke up. It was the ignition switch. Odd that it went out while driving in my opinion. Thank you very much for actually reading my question with the details and giving an answer that made sense!

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Expert:  GM Tech (Cam) replied384 days and 19 hours ago.

It may tell but now always.

Were you able to start the engine with the jumper in place?

Customer replied384 days and 19 hours ago.

Yes and I have already replaced the switch. Thanks!

 
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