1997 Cavalier warning lights

MELIPOOH72

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

My car has been acting strange. First, the brake light came on. I put in brake fluid and it went out. I drove for about a half hour and then the car sat for a few hours. I drove again, for about a half hour. Then, the car became very difficult to turn. Also, the battery and oil lights came on. I parked the car, assuming the belt must have broken. The belt was fine, the oil and coolant were fine. There was something leaking on the engine. The temperature never went up and no check engine lights came on. The power steering fluid was low and I filled it. The lights went out and it seems fine but I am very worried about driving it now, because I have a long work commute and no cell phone reception.

Would low power steering fluid cause all of these problems? If not, what could it be

5 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

It sounds more like the alternater is not charging sufficiently. Take it to an independent garage and have the charging system checked. In some cases if the battery is a little weak, an alternater can take the battery down too. Don't put this off at all. IF I'm right, the car will leave you stranded.

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Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 AT 6:03 AM

MELIPOOH72

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3 POSTS

Thanks for your help. I took it in today and so far they can't replicate the problem. Hopefully, they will test everything.

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Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 AT 2:21 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Have them take a look at the ECM if the problem isn't happening. The maunufacturer put them in the right front lower body of the car and are susceptible to water intrusion. Your situation sounds more like an alternater issue, but may be worth getting a look anyways at the ECM and connector.

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+1

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007 AT 5:37 PM

MELIPOOH72

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The car was looked at and driven for a whloe day with no incident. They said nothing was wrong. I got it home, and this morning I tried to turn into a parking lot. It got extremely hard to turn and then it stalled. I turned it off and checked the belt and power steering fluid, which were both fine. I restarted it and had no problems the rest of the day.

Evidently, something is making it hard to turn occasionally, and the engine stalls. I have a full tank of gas and no warning lights come on before the stalling occurs.

BTW, what is an ECM?

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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007 AT 3:25 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

ECM is an Electronic control module aka PCM Powertain control module aka computer. I am still of the opinion of an alternater going bad. But Testing when the problem is happening is the only verification.