check engine light

[leoinphx]

i just got back from emissions and it passed all tests but failed the check engine light didnt come on
any ideas ??

1998 chevy cavalier 2.2 automatic

[J-Ri]

Welcome to AF!

You need to check the codes in the PCM to have any idea where to start. Below you will find a typical list of DTCs, I have no idea what car it's for, it's just to give you an idea why we can't guess at it. Most auto parts stores will scan the codes for free, but most of them seem to not always read all the codes, I think they only read the generic (P0xxx) codes, so if there are any manufacturer specific or non-powertrain codes they won't show up.


DTC P0100 MAF Sensor Circuit Insufficient Activity
DTC P0101 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Performance
DTC P0102 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit Low Frequency
DTC P0103 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Circuit High Frequency
DTC P0106 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) System Performance
DTC P0107 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P0108 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage
DTC P0112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P0113 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage
DTC P0117 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P0118 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit High Voltage
DTC P0121 TP Sensor Circuit Insufficient Activity
DTC P0121 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Performance
DTC P0122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P0123 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage
DTC P0125 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Insufficient for Closed Loop Fuel Control
DTC P0131 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P0132 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P0133 HO2S Slow Response Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P0134 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P0135 HO2S Heater Performance Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P0137 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2
DTC P0138 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2
DTC P0140 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 1 Sensor 2
DTC P0141 HO2S Heater Performance Bank 1 Sensor 2
DTC P0143 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 3
DTC P0144 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 3
DTC P0146 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 1 Sensor 3
DTC P0147 HO2S Heater Performance Bank 1 Sensor 3
DTC P0151 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P0152 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P0153 HO2S Slow Response Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P0154 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P0155 HO2S Heater Performance Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P0157 HO2S Circuit Low Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 2
DTC P0158 HO2S Circuit High Voltage Bank 2 Sensor 2
DTC P0160 HO2S Circuit Insufficient Activity Bank 2 Sensor 2
DTC P0161 HO2S Heater Performance Bank 2 Sensor 2
DTC P0171 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 1
DTC P0172 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 1
DTC P0174 Fuel Trim System Lean Bank 2
DTC P0175 Fuel Trim System Rich Bank 2
DTC P0200 Injector Control Circuit
DTC P0300 Engine Misfire Detected
DTC P0323 DI Low/High Resolution Circuit Intermittent
DTC P0325 Knock Sensor Module Performance
DTC P0326 Knock Sensor Noise Channel High Voltage
DTC P0327 Knock Sensor (KS) Circuit
DTC P0332 Knock Sensor (KS) Circuit Bank 2
DTC P0335 Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Circuit
DTC P0336 Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Circuit
DTC P0336 Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Performance
DTC P0341 Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Performance
DTC P0372 DI High Resolution Circuit
DTC P0400 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) System Performance
DTC P0401 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Insufficient
DTC P0403 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Solenoid Control Circuit
DTC P0410 Secondary Air Injection (AIR) System
DTC P0412 Secondary Air Injection (AIR) Relay Control Circuit
DTC P0420 Catalyst System Low Efficiency
DTC P0420 Catalyst System Low Efficiency Bank 1
DTC P0430 Catalyst System Low Efficiency Bank 2
DTC P0441 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System No Flow During Purge
DTC P0443 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Purge Solenoid Control Circuit
DTC P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit
DTC P0502 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Circuit Low Input
DTC P0506 Idle Speed Low
DTC P0507 Idle Speed High
DTC P0530 Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Circuit
DTC P0531 Air Conditioning (A/C) Refrigerant Pressure Sensor Performance
DTC P0560 System Voltage
DTC P0562 System Voltage Low
DTC P0563 System Voltage High
DTC P0601 Control Module Read Only Memory (ROM)
DTC P0602 Control Module Not Programmed
DTC P0704 Clutch Switch Circuit
DTC P0712 Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Circuit Low Input
DTC P0713 Transmission Fluid Temperature (TFT) Sensor Circuit High Input
DTC P0719 Brake Switch Circuit Low Input
DTC P0724 Brake Switch Circuit High Input
DTC P0742 TCC System Stuck On
DTC P0748 Pressure Control Solenoid Circuit Electrical
DTC P0751 1-2 Shift Solenoid Valve Performance
DTC P0753 1-2 Shift Solenoid Circuit Electrical
DTC P0756 2-3 (B) Shift Solenoid Performance
DTC P0758 2-3 (B) Shift Solenoid Electrical
DTC P1106 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage
DTC P1107 Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage
DTC P1111 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage
DTC P1112 Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage
DTC P1114 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage
DTC P1115 Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage
DTC P1121 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent High Voltage
DTC P1122 Throttle Position (TP) Sensor Circuit Intermittent Low Voltage
DTC P1133 HO2S Insufficient Switching Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P1133 HO2S Insufficient Switching Sensor 1
DTC P1134 HO2S Transition Time Ratio Bank 1 Sensor 1
DTC P1134 HO2S Transition Time Ratio Sensor 1
DTC P1153 HO2S Insufficient Switching Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P1154 HO2S Transition Time Ratio Bank 2 Sensor 1
DTC P1171 Fuel System Lean During Acceleration
DTC P1200 Injector Control Circuit
DTC P1222 Injector Control Circuit Intermittent
DTC P1350 Bypass Line Monitor
DTC P1351 Ignition Coil Control Circuit High Voltage
DTC P1361 Ignition Coil Control Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P1361 Ignition Control (IC) Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P1371 DI Low Resolution Circuit
DTC P1374 Crankshaft Position (CKP) High to Low Resolution Frequency Correlation
DTC P1380 Misfire Detected - Rough Road Data Not Available
DTC P1381 Misfire Detected - No Communication with Brake Control Module
DTC P1406 Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Position Sensor Performance
DTC P1415 Secondary Air Injection (AIR) System Bank 1
DTC P1416 Secondary Air Injection (AIR) System Bank 2
DTC P1441 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Flow During Non-Purge
DTC P1442 EVAP Vacuum Switch Circuit
DTC P1508 Idle Speed Low - Idle Air Control (IAC) System Not Responding
DTC P1509 Idle Speed High - Idle Air Control (IAC) System Not Responding
DTC P1532 Air Conditioning (A/C) Low Side Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P1533 A/C Temperature Sensor CKT High Voltage
DTC P1539 Air Conditioning (A/C) Clutch Feedback Circuit High Voltage
DTC P1543 A/C System Performance
DTC P1545 Air Conditioning (A/C) Clutch Relay Control Circuit
DTC P1546 Air Conditioning (A/C) Clutch Feedback Circuit Low Voltage
DTC P1554 Cruise Control Feedback Circuit
DTC P1572 ASR/TCS Active CKT Low Voltage Too Long
DTC P1572 TCS Active Circuit Low Voltage Too Long
DTC P1626 Theft Deterrent Fuel Enable Signal Lost
DTC P1629 Theft Deterrent Fuel Enable Signal Not Received
DTC P1635 5 Volt Reference Circuit
DTC P1639 5 Volt Reference 2 Circuit
DTC P1641 Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit
DTC P1641 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Control Circuit
DTC P1642 Cooling Fan Relay 2 and 3 Control Circuit
DTC P1643 Engine Speed Output Circuit
DTC P1651 Cooling Fan Relay 1 Control Circuit
DTC P1652 Cooling Fan Relay 2 Control Circuit
DTC P1652 Vehicle Speed Output Circuit
DTC P1654 Air Conditioning (A/C) Clutch Relay Control Circuit
DTC P1655 Evaporative Emission (EVAP) Purge Solenoid Control Circuit
DTC P1657 Skip Shift Solenoid Control Circuit
DTC P1661 Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Control Circuit
DTC P1662 Cruise Control Inhibit Output Circuit
DTC P1664 Skip Shift Lamp Control Circuit
DTC P1667 Reverse Inhibit Solenoid Control Circuit
DTC P1810 TFP Valve Position Switch Circuit
DTC P1812 Transmission Fluid Overtemperature
DTC P1860 TCC PWM Solenoid Circuit Electrical
DTC P1864 TCC Solenoid Electrical
DTC P1870 Transmission Component Slipping
DTC P1886 3-2 SS Valve Assembly CKT Electrical

[Jmrec100]

What stores read the codes now. I know Autozone and Kragen used to loan them out. No more. Any other places.?

[J-Ri]

Honestly, I have no idea. I've just heard that "most do" so many times I took it to be true. I think Advance does, but having 3 scan tools at the shop and 1.5 (one of them sucks) others that I own, I have no reason to know that Probably best to call around, I'm sure some do.

[Jmrec100]

I found out that the Autozones, Kragens, etc stopped loaning them because our great state of california idiots require to be a certified technician to diagnose the trouble codes. This happened June of last year. Meaning that the car parts houses need to be officially licensed. More regulations and of course LICENSE fees. This jack@ss state is gouging more $ . I live here but how much longer.? Bureaucracy BS at its best. So to use one, have to buy it. I was told that this will go in effect nationwide shortly thanks to this ca tragedy.
I bought a decent one at Harbor Freight for $60 on sale. Wish I could buy at Autozone etc but not $150. Sorry, times are tough right now.

[patjar]

The check engine light has come on in my 2005 Cavalier 3X in the past nine months. Each time I had it checked out at a chevy dealership I usually trust and each time had the code problem repaired. I have spent $1200. Now the light is back on again. I understand that there are many, many possible problems and codes (I saw the list of codes posted and wanted to cry!) I would greatly appreciate all answers I receive to my questions.

My 1999 Cavalier never had this problem!

My car has onlt 28,000 miles on it. Oil changes are done every three months. I do not top off gasoline.

1) Might this become an ongoing problem with code after code needing a different repair?

2) I plan to try replacing the gas cap first; I also read within this website that sometimes a dirty fuel filter can cause the light to go on--should I get that replaced? I also read that sometimes air in the gas tank is a cause and to buy "drygas" at a gas station and use that. Should I do this?

Thank you!

[J-Ri]

In the future, please start a new thread for a new problem.

What were the codes and what were the fixes?
What's the code now?
1) Ongoing problems don't exist... only repeated comebacks exist. One or two can be due to an intermittent condition, but 4 times now...
2) I highly doubt that a gas cap is going to be causing a problem on this new of a car with this few miles. A gas cap is cheap, so why not try it? Direct your attention to the list of codes above. There are several cheap parts you could "throw at" each of those codes. You have to draw the line somewhere, so don't throw any parts at it. It's your money and you can do what you want, but statistically speaking, replacing the wiper blades would be almost as likely to fix the problem.

Fuel filter... sure replace that. It's a maintenance thing anyway, and it could probably use a new one. Probably not going to fix the code, but a new fuel filter never hurt anything. Air in the gas tank is not a problem; there is always air in every gas tank. Drygas (and other fuel driers) are nothing but alcohol which absorbs water. Most of them use methanol, which is not good for the fuel system. ISOHeat is the only one I know of that isn't, but that's just isopropyl alcohol that you could get cheaper at a drugstore. A tank of ethanol is cheaper and does the same thing, If you use Ethanol, then there is no water in the tank unless you left the cap off with a funnel in the filler neck during a thunderstorm. If there is water in the tank, you'd have drivability problems.