03 cavalier speedometer went to 0 car jumps then dies and starts back up

Asked by Lynn1010 Aug 02, 2016 at 08:48 AM about the 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier Coupe FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Speedometer drops to zero, car jumps misses, then it dies, but will start back
up and begin this all over again.  I am a woman and don't want to get taken at
repair shop.  Please help

2 Answers

41,815

Repair shop's take men just as much. Have it read for codes, even if the check engine light is NOT on the computer will have stored information and codes. Discount auto stores will read codes for no fee. write them down.

101,575

You may want to check for bad negative ground wire, if engine and speedo/instruments are dying at the same instant. A bad cam or crank sensor losing signal could trigger an engine shutdown, or bad powertrain/engine control module or automatic shutdown (ASD) relay, but none of those would instantly kill a speedometer. Yours is most likely electrical related. The fact it starts right back can be due to a bad intermittent ground, a frayed or loose terminal on the battery cable etc. Wiggle those cables around, if you see any that look suspect, replace them. Someone with a volt/ohm meter can check for continuity.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Chevrolet Cavalier

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    John Saffrahn
    Reputation
    4,830
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    1,990
  • #3
    mbar1
    Reputation
    1,670
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Corvette
725 Great Deals out of 12,191 listings starting at $3,200
Used Chevrolet Camaro
600 Great Deals out of 9,406 listings starting at $2,150
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,194 Great Deals out of 131,957 listings starting at $1,000
Used Honda Civic
1,371 Great Deals out of 29,067 listings starting at $600
Used Pontiac Sunfire
18 listings
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,069 Great Deals out of 20,056 listings starting at $1,300
Used Toyota Camry
2,091 Great Deals out of 37,807 listings starting at $575

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.