1997 Chevrolet Cavalier: check engine light

Filed Mar 26, 2003 · Engine · IL

When the driver pressed the gas pedal the engine light illuminated.

Filed Apr 18, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · MD · fire

Consumer had just gotten home and parked vehicle. 5-10 minutes later, horn was blowing. Consumer looked outside front end of vehicle was on fire. Dashboard and steering column were completely destroyed. Chevrolet dealer said they couldn't find anything wrong. Therefore, they wouldn't be liable. Allstate insurance adjuster took one look,and could tell it was an electrical fire. Chevrolet dealer was not responding to insurance adjuster. Vehicle was under extended warranty when it caught on fire.*ak engine light illuminated, dealer had replaced the oil pump, solenoid, and exhaust however light still illuminated. Battery light illuminated. Windshield wiper skips and chatters across windshield, dealer replaced blade. Trunk would not open from inside lever, compartment lid release broke. Clicking noise was heard when turning steering wheel, dealer could not find problem.

Filed Jan 22, 2001 · Lights · PA

Car was parked for about 10 hours. When started and put in drive, "ets off" light flashed and then remained on steady. Along with this, the check engine light also stayed on. Both lights remained on for duration of drive home from work, approximately 25 minutes. Engine sounds fine, no strange noises, but warning lights still remain on. Taking it to a mechanic to be checked out.

Filed Jan 12, 2001 · Transmission · AR

Engine light came on while driving, took to shop was told that the computer showed a transmission problem but none was found, light came on again within 24 hours took to shop again still showing trans problem still unable to find problem was told that the only way to reset light was to put on computer but could not promise would not happen again.

Filed Dec 6, 2000 · Electrical · CT

I have called this morning (12/06/00) to the federal safety agency, you said you will send me a form to fill out. But then I got into this website. So I would like to file and document asap becasue I feel very unsafe while driving. I am sure my vehicle has a defect or problem which could cause an accident or injury or death to myself and others. The problem first appeared in early july/00: soon after starting the car, warning lights (oil pressure and charging system) lit up and the car stalled and lost power. Power brake was gone, and I was heading down a steep slope! Luckily I managed to stop the car without causing an accident. I can restart the car and drive on. It happened 2 times more and I took it to the dealer to check. It cannot repeat the condition, so nothing was done. For the next short while nothing like that happened, although several times 2 other warning lamps will lit up (enhanced traction system off and malfunction indicator). I called the dealer to make an appointment but the lights will go off, and I cancelled the appointment... On the night of 11/28/00, the same dangerous situation occurred again. Since the dealership was not immediately available, I took it to a mechanic who ran a computer test on my car, and found taht faulty code #704 had occurred intermittently in my transmision system. But again, the mechanic cannot duplicate the condition, so cannot fix anything. I called gm's customer assistance and the dealer to see what I can do. The advice is that there is no similar incidents reported. And I just have to wait for the condition to happen again somehow. But the dilemma is that even if the stalling happens, the car can restart, then the condition will not exist and even if I bring/tow it to the dealer, they won't know what to fix!! So I have no recourse to take except to drive the car around with this danger on my mind all the time! There must be a better way to have the car fixed or the matter resolved, I would think/hope? Thankyou.

Filed Jan 5, 2000 · Engine · NJ

In december 1999, I experienced a loss of engine coolant level and the low engine coolant indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. I assumed the thermostat was failing and had a local service station replace it and flush the radiator. Several days later the low engine coolant light illuminated on the instrument panel. Upon inspection, I had lost some coolant and experienced the smell of hot coolant which I attributed to the recent radiator flush. I took it back to the service station and the coolant system was pressure tested to check for leaks and passed. After being idle for over 1 week, on january 3, 2000, I checked the engine coolant level and it was low. I filled the engine coolant reservior to full and after short trips the level had held at full. On january 4, 2000, while driving to work, I experienced a rough idle and in addition to the low engine coolant level illuminating on the instrument panel, the check engine light and the traction control lights also lit up on the dash. I took it to the dealer, hawthorne chevrolet, expecting to have them finally resolve my problem and they informed me they suspected my engine block was cracked and estimated the job at over $3400.00. I noteiced service bulletin #'s 67-62-04, 970501776109 & 970501738309 posted on your website refers to similar defects as those I have experienced. If the engine has a defect, what recourse do I have? I have followed the recommended maintainance schedule and feel frustrated that gm and hawthorne chevrolet knew of the potential problems but failed to take the preventative measures to avoid perminant damage to the engine. I have taken the car to the service station where I had the thermostat replaced and their conclusion is the head gasget has failed or the head has cracked, based on the fact that there isn't any coolant in the oil pan. I received an estimate of $950.00 for the repairs. I'm not a happy cavalier owner. I thank you.

Filed Nov 24, 1998 · Fuel system · CO · fire · 1 injury

While filling the gas tank and the check engine light is on, the vehicle caught on fire in the fuel tank, which caused injuries. Cause unknown. Dealer said no faulty parts. Please provide further information.