2005 Cavalier - Startup issues and whining engine

[there_ifixedit]

I just bought my Cavalier a month ago with 118K on it. I live in Southern California, so this is low mileage for a 2005. Immediately it needed in $500 in misc. repairs. I am no car expert and am beginning to annoy my mechanic by taking it in once a week with random questions about it because I don't ever know what's wrong with it.

Today it's been having issues starting up. I'll turn the key and it will be a delayed startup. About 3 seconds after I start it up is when the engine starts. Is this normal, or is there something wrong? Also, the engine has been whining lately, especially while on the highway. My mechanic has continuously told me there is nothing wrong, but I'm a first time car owner and I need some sort of second opinion. Thoughts?

 

[Chuzz]

Whining could be a belt, a bearing or a belt tensioner. Can you post a sound clip? As for the starting delay, it could be a fuel pressure regulator problem. Try turning the key to the start position and count to ten, then crank it. While doing this, see if you can hear the fuel pump running. It should run a couple of seconds and you'll hear it buzz. If not, then perhaps the fuel pump is going out on the car. What all has your "mechanic" done to the car, by the way?

 

[Chefboiali]

Two things come to mind. Check your power steering fluid level. There's usually a whine when it's low, but more so when you are turning the wheel while parking or at a standstill.

Also, it could be your wheel bearings. While on the freeway, pay attention to the sound as you change lanes. If the sound goes away when you move to a right lane, wheel bearings on the left side could be going. If the sound goes away while going into a left lane, the ones on the right side could be going. I figured this out by doing this on another car years ago. Make sure you don't coast into the lane. Make sure the car torques (safely) from one side to another.

 

[there_ifixedit]

Okay, so when I first bought the car the belt was immediately replaced, as well as the battery, the front brakes, and all fluids in the vehicle, including power steering fluid. Yet when I turn the wheel there is definitely a whine. I'll see if I can check the power steering fluid - that's if I can figure out how first. I'll try to post a sound clip, if I can somehow manage to do that while driving. The car also needs a new blend door, thus making the A/C circulation option impossible unless I want to hear constant clicking sounds.

Also, I just had to google what "cranking" meant. Sigh.

Lastly, the "mechanic" ran full diagnostics on the car using one of those computer things. According to him, there is nothing wrong with the car after

 

[Chuzz]

You need to find another mechanic if he thinks just because no codes show up that there's nothing wrong. Many things can go wrong with a car that will never throw a code. Chefboiali has made a good point in that it may be the power steering pump. Some vehicles have a screen inside the reservoir that can clog. Most can't be removed, but can be cleaned with some effort. Don't ask me to explain, because I've never done it personally. I've just read about it.