Car Guys! Help?

[youcancallmeclaire]

Hiya, I don't belong to any other forums where I could ask this kind of question, so I thought I would ask here.

About a week ago, my check engine light came on and I can't figure out what's wrong. My car is a 96 Chevy Cavalier Sedan, 4cyl.

I checked the oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant and refilled whatever was low. I don't really know what to check other than that. Nothing feel physically wrong with the car when I'm driving. It runs the same as it always does.

What else could trigger the check engine light?

And please don't tell me to take it to a mechanic, because I can't afford one. I just want to try and remedy this myself before it causes something major to go wrong.

Also, I am semi-competent when it comes to automotive stuff, so please don't reply as if I'm an idiot. I just need some suggestions is all; I can't think of anything right now.

<3 claire

[Wombat]

It could be anelectrical fault. A short somewhere may be causig the light to come on. I say that because you have said that you have checked all the fluid levels and nothing seems to be wrong with the 'feel' of the car.

I had a problem with an older car that I owned where the engine overheat light kept coming on. It turned out to be a loose wire touching on the engine block causing the light to come on. I chased that problem for ages.

[TomSelis]

Could be a sensor.

[Riddler]

its the cars ecm (computer) sensing there is a fault. one easy thing to check is the gas cap. that will make the light come on if you dont replace it. You can bring it to AUTOZONE they check the "check engine light" for free and tell you waht code comes up.

they use a tool like this called a code reader

[MacShreach]

Also, I am semi-competent when it comes to automotive stuff, so please don't reply as if I'm an idiot. I just need some suggestions is all; I can't think of anything right now.

<3 claire

Hi claire

I'm not familiar with that model but in general terms a check engine light can be triggered by any of the items you mentioned but also by mileage-- for example if the routine oil change/other service period is overdue. This is pre-programmed into the engine management unit.


However there are a whole range of other things that could cause this, depending on how your car displays its warnings-- lambda sensor, cat, fuelling, EGR system, EGR canister, breathing system, the list goes on and on and without being able to plug into a diagnostic unit it's hellish difficult to identify the fault.

Many of these faults will not affect the running (or stopping) of the car, but faults in the emissions control system could get you a fine if you fail a roadside check (if these happen where you are.)

Personally I would do a basic service-- change oil and air filters, change oil, plugs, check HT, clean engine breather, that stuff, before going further.

It really depends on the car but you may need specialist equipment to reset the EMU to clear the signal. (After doing the service.) Sometimes however there's a user-accessible method, like for example, disconnect the battery leads for 2 mins and then reconnect-- this works for quite a few models and resets everything to default.

Sorry not to be more help (now if you were driving a Jag, it would be different LOL) but just try Google before you go any further-- I'll bet there's a support board for that car somewhere.

Good Luck

[MacShreach]

. You can bring it to AUTOZONE they check the "check engine light" for free and tell you waht code comes up.

That is an extremely good idea.

[youcancallmeclaire]

. You can bring it to AUTOZONE they check the "check engine light" for free and tell you waht code comes up.

I didn't know they offered such a thing. Thanks alot!

I kinda wish I had one of those diagnostic car-computer interface things. That seems like it would be interesting.


...and now that I think about it, I do belong to a Cavalier forum, but I haven't logged in for like a year or two.

Thanks for all the suggestions from everyone else!

[brickcitybrother]

Since your Car is a 96 it has an OBDII computer. Find out what Autozone says and double-check here http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/

[StaggerLee]

Autozone's scan tools are kind of vague...I deal with them every day, and they sell a lot of people a lot of parts they don't need-they will give you a code, but you can be chasing a problem forever. From my experience with the cavaliers, I would guess at an oxegyn sensor...the car runs fine, but the sensor has failed, and sends a bad signal, causing the 'check engine' light. But the fuel cap is a good place to start, too...hopefully it's just that simple-good luck!

[rabidroyboy]

I think it is an 02 sensor (oxygen sensor).

That is the most common problem that trips a check engine light when the car otherwise preforms normally.

It is an emission problem. So you could drive forever and it's not not going to affect the performance of the car. The only problem is, you can't tell if another serious problem comes up because the light is already on.

Oxygen sensors are expensive. About 300 to fix.

As a previous poster noted, tighten the gas cap first, and see if that helps. But the gas cap thing is more common on newer cars.

How does the car's transmission shift? If the there is transmission problems, that will set off the check engine light, also. If it is a transmission problem, it is going to hurt.

Because your car is inexpensive, if it is a oxygen sensor, I wouldn't fix it.

Good luck with your car.