Dealerships seem to always cost more than your run of the mill mechanic. My front right axle cracked and I was told by the dealership it was my head gasket. Well we had it looked at by OUR mechanic and he found the crack. A "fix" that would have run me around $1800 only cost like $240.00!

I wouldn't be paying diagnostics fees to anyone. If the car is doing something funny, most mechanics can isolate the issue within a few parts. Those diagnostic tests are great for electrical issues, but I believe they are primarily used as a scam. Think about it....what did the diagnostics do for you? They got your car fixed to only have the same problem still arise. Doesn't seem like mr.diagnostic did a very good job isolating the issue any more then listening to the car could have!

Dealers suck.

Good point.

I am going to talk to some other places to get prices on getting it fixed, but I don't have the money to do anything just yet. So likely I will be looking to purchase a cheap $500 junker first, then I'll see about repairing the car, or what I'm going to do then. Possibly I'll just pay it off, then trade it in toward a new car in a couple of years when I've saved up a little more money. I just don't think it's worth pouring $900 of repairs into.

hey typhanie I have been watching this post and thought I should throw in my 2 cents. im a mechanic and thought maybe I could help. originally the dealer diagnosed the problem as a MAP sensor. i believe you said that the dealer replaced the MAP a few times and once I corrected the problem for a short period of time. On that model cavalier it is not uncommon for the wiring which leads to the MAP sensor to litteraly break. i know it sounds wierd for a newer car but thats GM for you. The reason it could temporarily fix the problem in not so much that the sensor was replaced, but the wiring to the sensor was disturbed while the sensor was being replaced. disturbing the wiring may temorarily line the broken wires up again, then once driving the movement of the engine may seperate the wires again. i suggest you look into that before spending lots of money on further diagnostics. Also the other prolems you described are also common to the cavalier. my friend has one and has been plagued with problems from the jump. Hope I have helped and all the best to you in solving the problem, i know it can be stressful, unfortunately im usually on the other side of that stress

cheers and once again all the best

Thank you! That's extremely helpful. That actually makes so much more sense than everything else I've heard yet - which, as you know, has been everything from the transmission to a clog in the catalytic converter. I'm going mad trying to figure out which person I should trust. I'll definitely have the wiring on that looked into.

Then I think I'm going to get rid of this car as soon as I possibly can. So far the only good car I've ever had was a beat up little Toyota. That little car lasted forever. I think I'll stick with them from now on.

no problem! as for diagnosing you could probably even do it yourself. If you can locate the MAP sensor, just shake the wiring harness while the engine is running. If the car stalls or starts to show any of the signs you experienced while driving you gound your problem!
I would also stick to the japanese cars, they are much more reliable and built better than american cars. I have always driven honda and probably wont ever drive anything different Anyways good luck and take care

Toyota, Honda and Subaru FTW.

Again, really thank you. I will definitely do that.

And yeah, no more american made cars for me ever again.

Redtailnamedjade - thank you so much!

After everything with this car, it turned out to be exactly what you said, there was a broken wire leading to the MAP sensor. It took me four different mechanics before one actually took the time to look at that. Everyone else just wanted to tell what they thought the problem was and fix it - without making sure.

If you hadn't have said anything to me about that, I would probably taken the word of the dealership, who I'm not sure fixed anything at all the first time around.

So thank you so much. I finally got a working car back. I'm going to continue driving it while I pay it off enough that I think I can get a fair deal for it, then I think I'll switch back to a Japanese car.

I just wanted you to know how much I appreciated the advise.