1986 Chevrolet Cavalier Service and Repair Manual
This factory service and repair manual for the 1986 Chevrolet Cavalier documents a five-trim range, Base, CL, CS, RS and Z24, and two gasoline engines: the naturally aspirated 2.0L overhead-valve inline-four of 122 cubic inches and the naturally aspirated 2.8L overhead-valve V6 of 173 cubic inches. Sedan, hatchback, wagon, coupe and convertible bodies all appear. Because the same two engines cross all five shells, engine diagnostics and torque values are given once and then referenced, while body and interior work is broken out where the cars genuinely diverge.
Engines covered
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.8L V6 (173 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
- 2-door hatchback
- 4-door wagon
- 2-door coupe
- 2-door convertible
Trims covered
- Base
- CL
- CS
- RS
- Z24
Known issues on the 1986 Cavalier. Three recalls are recorded federally. Two of them address the push-pull headlight switch, whose internal contacts can make and break the headlight circuit, so the lamps flicker or go out entirely in bad weather or after dark. The third involves a replacement fuel filter that can seal badly at the connection and leak gasoline. Owners logged 21 complaints, seven on the engine and cooling system, five electrical and three on steering. Headlight switch testing, circuit diagrams for the lighting harness, and cooling and steering specifications are all part of this manual.
THE PUSH-PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT.
REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
THE PUSH PULL HEADLIGHT SWITCH MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS WHICH ALLOW AN INTERMITTENT HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO FLICKER OR SUDDENLY GO OUT.
REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AS NECESSARY.
INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR
VEHICLE WAS HIT BROADSIDE, PASSENGER WAS EJECTED, WAS BELTED, BUT SEAT BROKE. TT
BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT WENT DOWN, AND DRIVER HIT A CEMENT WALL AND FLIPPED CAR OVER. *AK
VEHICLE CAUGHT ONN FIRE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
VEHICLE FIRE.(OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Showing the 4 most serious of 21 complaints filed with NHTSA.
