2001 Cavalier Check Engine Light

[Marc L]

I bought this car last week. Three days later the check engine light comes on. The next day I went to the dealer. The code translated to "Evaporative System Flow Nonpurge at Startup". They suggested resetting the lamp and seeing if it happens again. The car runs fine. So...
#1 Is this a common alarm? Can somebody tell me what it means in English?
#2 On earlier cars I could short a couple of pins and count the flashing lights to work out the code. I haven't been able to find out if this can be done with this car. Can it? How?
#3 Can I reset the lamp without having the dealer's diagnotic tool?
#4 Everybody wanted to check my gas cap. What is the code for this problem?

TIA
Marc L

[bigdaveangell]

you cannot reset the MIL without a scantool. If you go to an autoparts store most of them will check the code and reset it for you.