98 Chevy Cavalier going nuts?

[Heike P]

I know it has to be an electrical problem .I think it might be a module that is going out.Sometimes when i first star it ,it dies.No it is not the fuel pump because i can hear it kick in just fine.My theft system light will keep on blinking and most of the time i have to wait for a few minutes to try to start it again.Well it starts every time after i do that,but it still messes with all my other electrical components.I can hear a clicking sound under the dash every time it does that.My head lights will go nuts ,my stereo will go on and off over and over again,my gages also go hay wire at times.My dash board lights keep staying on(ABS,ETS, Bakes, I want to fix it myself but i am not used to newer cars and especially Chevy's .I am used to working on older model Fords.The car drives just fine other then that.
I forgot to mention that it also causes my headlights to go dim,bright,dim and so on.It seems to be fine when the car comes to a stop or is in park.

 

[Rock-17yr. tech]

pay close attension to this,ive had the same problem on several of those cars in my shop,,i bet if you turn the key on and check the fuses under the dash half of them are not powered up,and chanches are your brake lights are not working either,so look under the hood behind the battery towards the windshield,alook down,you will see a main wiring harness,about 2 inches in diameter,in that harness wich goes from the power distribution box to the inside of the vehicle,tou have a wire or wires that are corroded,and will need to be repaired ussually these wires will be very noticeable when you open up the harness,to verify this problem ass i mentioned turn your key on and tst the fuses under the dash the ones marked turnsignal,guages,brake lights etc. will not be powered up and these curcuits are powered by 1 or2 maxi fuses under the hood,good luck