I have a 1998 chev. cavaerlier. And I thought at first it might be my battery. But they said the battery is fine. I would like to know how would I know which could be my problem, Timming chain, starter, or alternator. One is saying one thing and someone is saying something else. One mintue it will start the next it won't. You have to hold the gas petal all the way to the floor so you won't flood it out. Then a couple of times it sounded like it was trying to blow something like it was stopped up. My lights and radio lights would still light up. The battery light and other lights was too. But now it won't start at all. Could you help me please. I'm a woman and I want to know what I'm facing. Thanks Sandi Phillips

Sandijo93@yahoo.com, June 2007

Hi,
If you've had the battery checked and they say it's fine, then that's a start. If the alternator was the problem you would have had either a battery light on all the time when the engine was running, or coming on shortly after starting. This is because the battery would not be receiving enough charge. If your timing belt/chain has slipped, you would have known about it when you had the engine running, it tends to write off the engine, (bent valves etc). You should not have to apply full throttle to start a car, so don't push the pedal to the floor. I'm not familiar with the car as suspect you're American, but get someone to check the strength of the spark at the spark plugs.
Cheers now

Ken Chapman, June 2007