2003 Chevrolet Cavalier: check engine light

Filed May 6, 2016 · Body, Electrical · PA

"check engine" light keeps coming back on for the same issue, supposedly the "air intake temp sensor, replaced that one and several sensors repeatedly, had the complete wiring harness connections checked and cleaned, even replaced my ECM and bcm [neither of which was cheap], and still has "check engine" light, even after being "cleared" over and over again -- this car was well maintained and the body and sub-frame are severely rotting out left and right -- had a weird leak on the pass. Side front, under the dash. It comes and goes. The car smells like an old sneaker inside. Water would pour out of the passenger side heater duct, but there was no rhyme or reason to it. One I even had soap foam from a drive thru car wash literally come blowing in to the cabin, thru the very same heater duct. Thankfully it has seemingly cleared up, but it is still a head scratcher. I've taken my car to several dealerships, privately owned shops, and even had some "car savvy" friends look her over, as well as my dad [ands ase certified tech], and the check engine light still comes back every time. If I would have known I'd put this much money into a car that literally ready to break apart, I would have saved my money to put towards another car. Live and learn, I guess. She was doing so well for 10 or 11 years and it's like she just started "giving up" on me. She's got 165k on her and the pain has gone to crap, but that's gm for you, kept her garaged, waxed regularly, had her looking showroom new, until recently, the paint's clear coat started to "stipple" [sharp bumps] and bubble all over top panels, starting with the roof, then hood, and now trunk. It's embarrassing to drive her, and I am not paying to repaint her, I already have way too much into a car that likely will not pass inspection coming up in august. I'm now handicap'd and disabled, fixed income, can't afford a new car.

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Fuel system · 67,800 miles · TN

2003 chevrolet cavalier giving off fumes first time I filled it to the top with gasoline. That eventually set off a check engine light on the dash. I used my obd2 scanner and it was a code for a high evap leak. It was too difficult to find the leak at my home, so I had the dealership do a smoke test and revealed a crack at the seams of the gas tank. Dealership said no recall for that make and model. Estimate for replacement and labor was $1,000. I found a salvage yard gas tank from a low mileage oldsmobile alero and the local repair shop replaced it. Mechanic mentioned it is a common occurrence to find a crack at the seams of a newer gm small car with a plastic gas tank. I reset the check engine light code myself and the problem never reappeared.

Filed Jun 17, 2011 · Fuel system · 55,817 miles · HI

2003 chevy cavalier 2dr/standard. Two months and counting my car stalls on stop light. Occasionally, shakes when I start, after putting gas in, it won't start right away (it takes five mins or less)...chk engine light is on...yes, oil change regularly, tuned-up done, new battery, new idle valve, it has been checked, but my car still stalls and I can smell burned oil when I'm warming my car and give some rev...please need help my car is important. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter and by the way I don't have money to buy expensive parts if the manufacturer messed this model...help please .

Filed Jun 23, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 102,000 miles · CA

Abs, trac off and check engine lights stay on. There is a tsb on this but since it affects brake operation this should be a mandatory recall.

Filed May 31, 2010 · Fuel system · 117,000 miles · IA

Fuel pump and check engine light.

Filed Dec 28, 2008 · Engine · 745,000 miles · PA

I purchased my 2003 cavalier brand new with 106 miles on it (it had to be driven from pittsburgh to harrisburg). In late sept. Or early oct. My car began rattling at stop lights. The day after the rattling started, my car stalled at my place of business and wouldn't start again. A triple a mechanic was called and couldn't determine what the problem was except he thought it was the fuel pump. After having the vehicle towed to a garage, I was told that oil was not making its way through my engine causing friction and in turn causing my engine to expand breaking my timing chain and basically rendering the entire engine useless. The mechanic asked me if my check engine light or oil light was lit on my dashboard because with a problem with the oil pump, one of those lights would have lit up, which I responded no. He then thought that the dashboard lights were not functioning which was not true because when he turned the key, all the dashboard lights lit up. He then went on to tell me that my oil levels were normal and that my timing chain should last for 25+ years. The mechanic went on to explain that I should contact chevrolet because he believe that with the low mileage of my vehicle and the relative new-ness of the vehicle, the only cause for this issue would be a defect. I contacted chevrolet via email and was told that I would receive a response in no more than 48 hours. After hearing no response, I filed a complaint with the bbb and still have not heard anything.

Filed Apr 9, 2008 · Fuel system · 64,774 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet cavalier. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle stalled minutes later. The vehicle was towed to the repair shop and they replaced the fuel pump system at the contact's expense. The repair cost approximately $880. The manufacturer has not been notified. The failure and current mileages were 64,774. Updated 07/08/08.

Filed Feb 14, 2008 · Engine · 128,000 miles · IL

The catalytic converter has been damaged and needs to be replaced. The repair shop says that the damage was a result of unburned gasoline going into the catalytic converter when the coil failed. The coil assembly failed and two cylinders stopped firing. I only drove the car about one-mile to the repair shop after the failure (which happened suddenly). The coil assembly had to be replaced at a cost of about $400. After it was replaced, the "check engine" light came on and the repair shop says that the on-board computer diagnostics indicates that the catalytic converter has failed. The car cannot have its registration renewed without a functioning catalytic converter, which will cost about $500 to replace.

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · 35,000 miles · TX

2003 cavalier engine stall on red lights/ coming to stop/ turning corners at low idle speeds causing a loss in power steering and ABS. Check engine light active, immediate restart is available, however while turning has nearly caused accidents. Believed to be caused due to faulty wiring to intake temp sensor.

Filed Oct 14, 2007 · Fuel system · 73,390 miles · TN

The service engine light appeared on my 2003 cavalier. I took it to walker chevrolet in franklin, tn and they performed a smoke and visual test. All tests indicated a leaking gasoline tank. The gas tank was replaced at a local garage and the mechanic noted a crack was formed at the seam area of the gasoline tank.

Filed Jul 19, 2007 · Fuel system · 55,000 miles · PA

My 2003 chevy cavalier with 55,000 miles was running fine, then one day after doing some grocery shopping, I started the car and it stalled. Trying to pull out of a parking space in the shopping center, the car stalled at least 6 more times. The check engine light came on at start up and stayed on. I drove the car around the parking lot of the shopping center and it started to settle down. I decided to try and drive it home where there is an auto shop I use right by my house. The car didn't make it even a 1/2 mile (only to the next traffic light) where it stalled at the red light leaving me stranded in the middle of a buy intersection. I had some guys from a local goodyear shop help me push the vehicle into their parking lot, from which I had the car towed to my local shop. On investigation the car needed a new fuel pump, which a gm authorized dealer would sell for $700.

Filed Jun 29, 2005 · Brakes, Fuel system · WV

The service engine soon, ABS and track off lights began turning off and on periodically in mid may 2005. The car was taken to the dealer on may 19, 2005 for routine service and for the warning lights just mentioned. The lights began turning on again and the car was taken back to the dealer on june 20, 2005. The leftwheel sensor, and an oxygen sensor were replaced, this, I was told,would fix the problem. On june 24th the car began miss firing on my way to work. The problem was so severe that I had to have the car towed to another dealer. This dealer's techincian informed me that the fuel pump was bad, and probably was on the 20th, when the other dealer serviced it. And more upsetting to me, I was further informed that the wheel sensor dealer #1 had replaced was still not working properly. I now have paid nearly $1200.00 in repair costs, and my car is still miss firing, the three lights I listed above are still on, and now the check engine light is on too. The car is totally unsafe to drive. It has just under 50k miles, I drive carefully and the car has been very well maintained. I truely believe there is a serious and dangerous defect with this vehicle that gm's trained mechanics are unable to diagnose and repair. This, I was told