Mk3 Cavalier Owners Club | Vauxhall Cavalier Dot Com

was driving home from work last night and my car started get lumpy wen a was putting my foot down and then wey a got home and tryed to start it again it wudnt all the lights on the dash go off bar the battery its a 2.0 8v

Does the starter motor turn? If not... Check the battery has enough charge... Then test the starter motor... If it does turn... I would look to fueling first.. when did you change the fuel filter last? If that's all good... Check the fuel pump primes, if not... Fuel pump relay might be shot...

I'd say the fuel pump would be a strong contender, or the fuel pump relay in the driver's footwell.


It's normal for the battery light to stay on when cranking the engine, that's just the alternator saying it's not charging the battery yet. That's not a fault.

Pop the rear bench seat out, pull the flap up, you'll see the fuel pump housing on top of the tank, get someone to turn on the ignition and listen for the pump, it should make a quiet whining sound when it's primed.

And make the obvious checks under the bonnet, electrical bits, plugs, HT leads, etc.

Sounds like alternator pal. Was the battery like on while driving last night

Its pumpin petrol could it be the coil pack or distrubor

Coil pack will cause a misfire generally. Is your car turning over, could very be crank sensor.
Answer yes or no
1. Any lights on dash while you were out last night ie battery light
2. HeadLights seem dimmer than normal
3. Would the car rev
4 did it seem like to hit the rev limiter early
5. Have you done a paper clip test.
6. Have you tested battery voltage
7. Does the car turn over

Engine mangement light came on then whent off there it was missing the cut out then wudnt start again

Start with no 7 then?

Just to confirm... It's got petrol in it...?
Or diesel if it uses diesel...

Its petrol its got full tank haha it turns over

It's an 8v engine so it won't have a coil pack, just an amplifier.

Try removing the distributor cap, see what it's like inside. 3 thin bolts, I use a 6.5mm socket to get them off.

But the best thing you can do is the paper-clip test as been suggested. Real easy, and it doesn't cost anything.

Didn't think of crank sensor... Check the sparks against the block... That will rule out that side of things... Obv check by leads... If that's all fine, prob would change the crank sensor...

planetc wrote:Start with no 7 then?

Yes if you wanna be awkward, what's wrong with 3 or 4. How about 7 of your favourite biscuits and 1 slice of cake lol

found the problem its the rotor arm that is broke its melt haha

There you go. Knew it'd be something simple, but a nice brainstorm we had.

Cavalier342 wrote:There you go. Knew it'd be something simple, but a nice brainstorm we had.

Well done Andrei you pointed the guy in the right direction.
Have yourself a lovely drop of tea and a biscuit lol

btcctroy wrote:
Well done Andrei you pointed the guy in the right direction.
Have yourself a lovely drop of tea and a biscuit lol

Can I have some scotch instead?

Cavalier342 wrote:There you go. Knew it'd be something simple, but a nice brainstorm we had.

So you suggested removing the rear seat to start checking the fuel pump? Helpful advice Andrei..... Rule 1 when trying to remotely diagnose is to establish what it does now, any suggestion based on the limited information given was nothing more than a wild guess. Start with, does it turn over, and flow chart from there in a logical fashion.

Did I say remove the rear seat? No I did not, I said move the bench seat up to check if the fuel pump worked. When someone asks for advice over the internet, it's not the same as looking at the car in real life, is it? You should know that mush... You said it yourself, it's a guess, at least I'm trying to help...

What's your problem?

Chillax folks... We all homies here... We each have our own thoughts based on past experiences... some more than others... main focus is... he found the problem and can get it sorted!!!

I spent about 6 months trying to sovle why my car randomly died... changed leads, sparks, ecu, ron plug, crank sensor... had the fuel pump out... was asking on here and not really getting anywhere...

Then randomly spoke to someone who got a relay out there boot (spare) and said to change the fuel pump relay... They didn't even own a Vaux!!!

Also spent a good month with a misfire in my Cinq... Couldn't work it out for the life of me... Then my 8 y/o son asked why my HT lead had a extra hole in the side....

We are here to learn and share... Not bitch and cry!!!

Glad you found the problem mate

Cavalier342 wrote:Did I say remove the rear seat? No I did not, I said move the bench seat up to check if the fuel pump worked. When someone asks for advice over the internet, it's not the same as looking at the car in real life, is it? You should know that mush... You said it yourself, it's a guess, at least I'm trying to help...

What's your problem?

I was trying to give you some helpful advice in logical diagnosis, that's all. You obviously took it the wrong way

...and my name isn't mush.

Cavalier342 wrote:Did I say remove the rear seat? No I did not, I said move the bench seat up to check if the fuel pump worked. When someone asks for advice over the internet, it's not the same as looking at the car in real life, is it? You should know that mush... You said it yourself, it's a guess, at least I'm trying to help...

What's your problem?

He's got no tea bags

planetc wrote: I was trying to give you some helpful advice in logical diagnosis, that's all. You obviously took it the wrong way

...and my name isn't mush.

No need to be sarcastic then, is there? Time and a place mate, time and a place.

Chill Andrei its sarcasm. Stop being so angry, be a very boring place if we were all like you serious about Cavs

I wasn't being sarcastic.