1983 Chevrolet Cavalier Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1983 Chevrolet Cavalier answers to a wide lineup and a narrow engine bay. Five bodies were built, from sedan and wagon to convertible, coupe and hatchback, across four trims, Base, CL, CS and Type-10, while under the hood there is one choice only: a naturally aspirated 2.0L overhead-valve inline-four of 122 cubic inches burning gasoline. Engine, fuel and ignition material therefore reads the same for every car, and the differences a technician has to track are structural, in glass, doors, tops and rear body.

Engines covered

• 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan
• 4-door wagon
• 2-door convertible
• 2-door coupe
• 2-door hatchback

Trims covered

• Base
• CL
• CS
• Type-10

Known issues on the 1983 Cavalier. Six recalls appear on the federal record. In one, the metal anchor bar in the floor pan fatigues and breaks around the driver's seat adjuster stud, letting the seat tip backward without warning. Another has the brake proportioner valve breaking away from the master cylinder, bleeding fluid and taking part of the braking system with it. A third involves a corroded check valve whose melted plastic pieces are drawn into the air cleaner and throttle body, where they can jam the throttle plate and keep the engine off idle. Owners logged 17 complaints, led by engine cooling and the electrical system at five each.