2003 Chevy Cavalier check engine light
#1
10-11-11, 06:00 AM
2003 Chevy Cavalier check engine light
Hey,
My 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (100k) has had the Check Engine light on for 2 months now. I have tightened the gas cap, no luck.
When I leave the A/C on for approx half hour or more, it starts to smell in the car, as well.
any suggestions? possible filter changes neede?
My 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier (100k) has had the Check Engine light on for 2 months now. I have tightened the gas cap, no luck.
When I leave the A/C on for approx half hour or more, it starts to smell in the car, as well.
any suggestions? possible filter changes neede?
#2
10-11-11, 11:15 AM
In the past two months did you have it scanned for fault codes? As you are in Canada is that 100,000 miles or Kilometers? If there is in fact an Evap code that comes up with a scan the problem still could be with a leaky gas cap. If you do need a new cap I would suggest that you go with one from GM. Others are often sold as one size fits all, and more often than not they don't seal properly.
#4
10-11-11, 12:52 PM
Group Moderator
Umm... Check Engine light is on? Get the code(s) read.
Auto Zone will do it for free with the expectation you would buy the parts you need from them; don't know if you have any of those near you.
Auto Zone will do it for free with the expectation you would buy the parts you need from them; don't know if you have any of those near you.
#6
10-14-11, 09:38 AM
There is a good possibility all you need is a new gas cap since a leak code is showing up. The vehicle is old enough to require a replacement. It can be other things of course also, and some may still be covered under a factory emmissions warranty required in Canada, but most are not by now and I would suggest going out and picking up a new and correct cap, and either having the code cleared with a scanner, or just drive it for about 3 days or less and see if the codes will clear on their own. It takes several startups, warmups and run cycles for the codes to clear after a problem is corrected.
As I mentioned also before, with GM in my experience at least, be careful on where you purchase the cap from. I don't know where the auto parts supply outlets that you have such as Canadian Tire which I am sure is the most popular there get their parts from, but in the U.S. many gas gaps from places like AZ are sold as universal and they are not and do not work properly with GM products. Instead of $10 it may cost you $20 for an OEM GM cap, but at least you know what your getting. I went that route and learned the hardway also.
As I mentioned also before, with GM in my experience at least, be careful on where you purchase the cap from. I don't know where the auto parts supply outlets that you have such as Canadian Tire which I am sure is the most popular there get their parts from, but in the U.S. many gas gaps from places like AZ are sold as universal and they are not and do not work properly with GM products. Instead of $10 it may cost you $20 for an OEM GM cap, but at least you know what your getting. I went that route and learned the hardway also.
