Just Painted! ....check engine light

I just got my 97 cavalier z24 painted and picked it up today. Everything was fine and looked great; however, a few hours later after I drove it to work the check engine light turned on. The car is still running fine and nothing is noticable. Does anyone know how painting a car can affect the engine to turn the light on? Thank you

must have used that radioactive isotope paint that is know to cause serious molecule break down of the anatomical properties of the synthetic lubricant.


honestly i have no clue, maybe its just a coincidence. . .

I went to advance auto parts today to get my OBD2 computer checked out because my CHECK ENGINE light was on. This is exactly what was on the print out.

Advance auto parts

vehicle scanned
1997 Cavalier
T=2.4L
Manual Trans

Set DTCs (codes)

History DTC PO141
O2 Sensor Heater
Circuit Malfunction
(Bank 1 Sensor 2)
MIL REQUESTED
Since IGN NOT RUN
Since Clear P/F

the guy said it was located by my catalytic converter? Can anyone help me out with this as to what it is and what to do? My gas mileage has also decreased a lot since this problem occured. THank you

Before you go crazy, Unscrew the Negative cable on your battery and let the car sit with the battery unplugged for a few minutes (I believe 30 seconds is sufficient but unsure) anyway let the car sit with the battery unplugged this will "RESET" the cars computer and will shut off any false check engine lights.

If you start up the car after reseting the computer and the check engine light goes off, it was probably just a false reading, nothing to be concerned about BUT if the check engine light comes back on, then it is most likely a bad sensor and will need to be replaced.

After driving my 97 Cavalier for 2.5 years with about 3 or 4 Fasle Check engine light readings I dont "panic" anymore about the light.

BTW where are the pics of the new paint, how much did it go for?

Frank G
97 Cavalier 2.2L
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7Lv8
1986 Jeep Cherokee 2.8Lv8
(2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited w/ Hemi)-ON ORDER

will that work for an air bag light? i removed my dash and when i put my steering wheel back on the air bag light came on and hasn yet to go out i have had a puter to clear all codes and it doesnt show that on the codes

will that work for an air bag light? i removed my dash and when i put my steering wheel back on the air bag light came on and hasn yet to go out i have had a puter to clear all codes and it doesnt show that on the codes
dude, you might want to check that your airbag is connected :-/

O2 Sensor Heater
Circuit Malfunction- it sounds to me that your o2 sensor maybe on your header is bad? if you have a few miles on your ride, its time to get it changed up anyways

Frank G - thanks, it was the O2 sensor behind my cat and I got that replaced. Also, I have to wait 4 weeks to wash my car and to let the paint settle in. I will post pics when I can wash it and get a coat of wax on it. It turned out great. It was 600 for the maaco paintjob..... its not factory, but hell, it looks better than the one that was on before. The reason I got it was because I got my door taken off and had to replace that and I didnt want a diff color door so I painted the whole car. Ill get pics up here asap.... my car looks a lot better than the current pic so hopefully you guys can tell me what you think.

It was 600 for the maaco paintjob..... its not factory, but hell, it looks better than the one that was on before. .

Dont knock MACCO Paint jobs, I have had two vehicles done by them my first car (1984 Jeep Cherokee) and my 1986 Jeep Cherokee Laredo and although they are far from a factory paint job, they do come out Pretty Good.

I would say unlike a factory paint job, where you can actually get away without waxing it for a year or so (yearly) the Macco paint kinda requires you to wax every 3 or four months (seems a bit softer), to keep it looking good, but 4 years later on my 1986 Jeep waxing every 3 months it still looks pretty good.

By next year I will most liklely not need my 1997 Cavalier as I should be getting a transfer to a closer to my home and can just drive my (Gas Guzzling Jeeps ;) ) So I will be giving the Cavalier to my 17 year old cousin, most likely I will get it repainted for him.

OK Sorry for the Rant, please post pics when up.

Frank G
1997 Cavalier RS Coupe 2.2L
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7LV8
1986 Jeep Cherokee 2.8L
(2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited w/ HEMI)