Print this page

7.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$750
Average Mileage:
90,250 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (7 reports)
  2. replace wiring harness (1 reports)
2002 Chevrolet Cavalier electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner Comments

problem #8

Feb 022013

Cavalier Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 145,127 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought a used car and I spent $ 1,200/- in a year on maintenance. I always believed that Caprice was one of the strongest but not anymore. Every now an then there is something to be fixed. * Always indicating some or the other lights on the Dashboard. * Door locks are most of the time jammed even after replacing with the new one. * Window switch does'nt work properly. * Smoke in the Engine. * Head lamps & Tail lamps needs replacing every 2 - 3 weeks. Not really happy with the performance.

- yasir_nice, Hawally, Hawally, Kuwait

problem #7

May 122010

Cavalier

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

Ok am financing this car from Cloverhill Motors it ran great when I got it then about 2-3 months after that the radio started shorting out it would go in and out several times a week or so, not a big alarm bell. Next my turn signal on the right side started blinking very fast replaced the bulb 3 different times and it still would cut on and off. It works in the front but is very faint and shorts out in the back. Next my dash board would cut out when I would first start the car. Had it seemingly repaired by my dealers mechanic in June of this year They had my car for 2 weeks said it was loose wires and they fixed them OK fine drove it for a month or so, one day was turning right and it started to blink fast again almost got rear ended by a truck and pulled over more times than I can count. So went BACK to the same mechanic they said it was the bulb, let them put in another one. They moved the bulb and some wires around cleaned the contacts? where the bulb sits and it worked again until I went to turn right. Right turns VERY bad for me. Anyway the radio shorted out for the last time. My dash lights cut out occasionally this means NO hazards , no turn signals no gage lights at all and sometimes it even effects the A/C. Ok don't know if THIS is related but was on the highway going home and started to smell burnt rubber?, paper don't really know ;looked down where my radio was and saw smoke VERY thick and black. Pulled over, rolled down our windows and got the H@LL out of there, I called 911 and they found NOTHING.

Please can someone help me I don't want to put me or my 6 year old son in danger. I don't know what my car is doing have only 6 months left to pay on it!

- citygurl30, Deerfield Beach, FL, US

problem #6

Jan 012009

Cavalier 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

The plunger in the door jam that turns out the light and radio in the car when it is turned off does not work! GM is going bankrupt because they make garbage! I did not buy this car I got it free! I would never purchase a GM automobile!! The cars are horrible!! Too many problems to list!!! GM makes garbage!!!

- harshbarger, Austin, TX, US

problem #5

Sep 122008

Cavalier V4

  • Manual transmission
  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 cavalier 123k very good condition with an after market cd deck, sound system and led lights just to tell you my car setup. My main problem is that when I put the heater fan on, it dims the light on my amp, led lights and the dash cluster light. To make things worse, if I'm driving while the heater fan is on, I start getting random engine lights, etc lighting up by the clusters and the gauges will randomly drop if I brake (I'm pretty sure I have ABS). Also, when I put the rear defrost on while the heater is on, it makes the lights dim even worse and decrease the fan air flow. I've run some tests to try to figure out whats wrong by re-checking the led lights/cd deck/amp wiring, replacing the battery, checking fuses, pulling fuses then test driving just to double check in case short, checking alternator voltage,check battery connection for corrosion. I installed one set of led lights to the cigarette lighter +/- and another through the dome light +/- both with fuses and both by splicing and NO I didn't do a butcher job. All the mechanics I asked about doing it that way weren't opposed to it. Also, I know my blower resister needs to be replaced because its symptoms are the fan not blowing 2/4 speed settings. Would that old resister cause all those other electrical problems if its not working properly? Or, did I likely short one of my computers ie PCM, when I had the accessories installed and if I did which computer would it be?

- Andrew E., Brampton, Ontario, Canada

problem #4

Sep 032008

Cavalier 4DR 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

can anyone help? i have a 2002 cavalier with electrical problems. the headlights are dim. the wipers do not work. the radio will play with the headlights and wipers in on position with the key out. all problems seem related. when headlights are turned to on position, you can hear the power locks doing something

- khary817, Randallstown, MD, US

problem #3

Apr 142008

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • 86,992 miles

Firstly, around the front lights went. They would only work on high-beams. My mechanic (who I have been using for years) couldn't figure it out; he said it needed to go to the dealer. Instead, I took it to crappy tire. They replaced �a module". About a week or so after, I got in my car and the gas gauge and the engine heating gauge went all crazy. They both say that I have no gas and that the car is overheating. Then the alarm light kept flashing. Now the alarm will go off, if you don't get in the car fast enough to turn on the engine. The electrical doors will not open/close with the "doe-hiky". The engine light comes on sometimes. Then shortly after that day, the back lights and break light don't work. Only the break light in the window works. Then shortly after, the turn signals in the back stopped working. The bulbs have been replaced, but that didn't change anything. I'm taking it in on Friday. Wish me luck!

- Rebecca K., Burlington, ON, Canada

problem #2

Jul 302007

Cavalier 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

Summoned up: I OWN A CHEVY CRAP-ALIER!! It took four different mechanics to so-call "fix" the problem: Over-heating, rad. fan wouldn't kick on, leaking water (not from the air conditioning), no air-conditioning, only one setting for the air, ect... And it was never in the end actually fixed just rigged for the time being-Why I asked? Well, because it started to work and no one knew why.

- Stanley S., New Port Richey, FL, US

problem #1

Feb 012008

Cavalier

  • Manual transmission
  • 52,817 miles

Symptoms:

Week 1... 1. Slight little issues such as headlights not working on low beams, high beams worked fine.

2 Weeks Later... 2. Wouldn't start randomly when tried, wait a minute or two and it would start.

2 Weeks Later.... 3. Stereo and interior lights would stay on long after opening and closing the doors

Brought it to shop after checking fuses and other basic electrical stuff. Wiring harness had issues, total cost of repair = 790.00 CAD. Warranty did not cover electrical.

Love how my 77 'vette with 90,000 miles is better quality

Piss me off!

- Greg T., Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

Not what you are looking for?