Service vehicle soon light

Tiny
CLAUDE0000
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
Engine problem 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 98,000 miles

I made a mistake and post that service engine light was on no it's my service vehicle soon light is on it been on for about a month or 2 the car seems to run fine and I took it up to auto zone and they could not find no codes or nothing wrong because I guess the engine light it self is not on but I 'm still thying to figure out why the service vehicle soon light is do I need to take it to the dealer or is it something I could do to reset or fix something
Monday, January 7th, 2008 AT 3:11 PM

33 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hello,

There are two lights check engine light and the service engine soon light.

This is the reminder light to change the oil? If so, turn the key on with the engine OFF, then press the gas pedal to the floor three times within 5 seconds, this resets the light until the next service interval.

If the check engine here is a guide to pull the codes it sounds like the scanner at the auto parts tore was not working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please let us know.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
2001 IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 230,500 MILES
Check engine light can on steady, temp gauge moved enough to turn on the fans, flushed radiator, low coolant level warning light comes on, engine chugs from stop position through acceleration, check engine light flashes then steady.

The check engine light came on for about a week and has stayed on, had it coded as EGR. Then the low coolant level warning light came on would come on then turn off and on again. Checked it levels were okay. Started noticing sluggish starts. The temp gauge then went to hot turned the fans on. Had the coolant flushed and replaced. A day later the coolant light came on again. Now at a stop position thru acceleration the engine chugs during which the check engine light flashes.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
You say your getting slugish starts so the starter is turning the engine over slower then normal?Go to the auto parts store and have them check your battery and alternator. Also what is the exact code numbers you have not the code description?
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2001 IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The engine has no trouble turning over. When accelerating the engine chugs or when I first start the engine. I also noticed a carbon smell after driving say 25 miles then the engine starts chugging. I do not have the code, autozone said the code was for the ERG. This all started when the low coolant light came on.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Heres the problem there is more then one code for the egr valve thats why I asked you what is the exact code number.I cant just guess and hope its the right code number I picked. The code is going to be are starting point in diagnosing th problem so I really need that cide number. Also you said the car was getting sluggish starts what did you mean by that?
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2001 IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Disregard sluggish starts. The engine turns over perfect, however the engine once started, chugs for maybe a minute then idles smooth. During driving for lets say a half hour I will come to a stop, still in drive the engine will chug and pop. I will then take off and the engine will sputter until I get to about 30 mph. During that time the check engine light will flash then stay on on steady. At the same time the low coolant level warning light goes on and then off.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CLAUDE0000
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
Engine problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 98,000 miles

I got this service engine soon light it's been on for about a month or 2 but the car seems to run fine I took it up to autozone and had them put it on the computer to see if I need a part they didn't find anything wrong do you know whys it's on or do I have to take to the dealer
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The light is On-should give a code/s-have them clear the code and see what happens.

My question here why didn't they clear the code?
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Usually when the check engine light flashes on and off that means you have a bad engine miss fire can damage the cat so there should be a code for that. With the low coolant light coming on and off there should be a code for that also. As far as the chugging goes and you said you have a egr code you could have a egr valve sticking open. That could cause the chugging and the engine light to flash from a large vacuum leak causing a miss fire. But you could have a egr valve code for low or no flow and not for possibly sticking open. We can start guessing and wasting both of our time and your money. Or you can get me the exact code numbers and not code descriptions. The code numbers will be a P followed by a four digit number.I like the second option myself I hate assuming and guessing as to why the check engine light comes on. Even if I was there with you working on the car I would be reading the codes first thing.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2001 IMPALA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for your help. I will figure out the code and let you know. Your information was very helpful, thank you for your time.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welocome thats what were here for. Keep me posted.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DMECKOLA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,894 MILES
Electrical problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 88894 miles

I just bought a used 01 Impala LS (3.8 V6) I have driven it less than 100 miles and after putting gas in it the "service engine soon" light came on. It stayed on until I turned the car off and then 10 minutes later restarted the car and the light never came back on. What could be causing this?
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Check your gas cap and see if it is tight or sealing properly. Have it scanned and see what the code is and let me know what the code is and Ill see what I can do to help
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LANGSTON100
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Engine Performance problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 200000 miles

I have a check engine light that turn on and off while driving, I flashes like may turn signal light
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Go to Autozone and have the computer scanned for OBD2 code/s its a free service this is your starting point of finding out what's causing the CEL to come on and get back with the code/s
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TSANDERS1906
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,000 MILES
Computer problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 138000 miles

I have a 2001 Chevy Impala and my engine light just popped on. However, there are no obvious symptoms that helps me figure out what's wrong. Is there a way to purchas something that will give me the trouble code or do I have to go to a dealer?

Any help will be appreciated.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Lots of auto places will be able to sell you the scan tool to use, you can also go to autozone and they will scan it for you.

Post back if you need help deciphering them.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LMWSLW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 52,000 MILES
Engine Performance problem
2001 Chevy Impala 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 52,000 miles

Engine light on.
Mechanic said engine wasn't "sparking" properly.
Reset light (off).
Nothing "fixed".
Mechanic said I would need to leave car a few days.
Light back on the next day.
What is the problem with the engine?
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Here is what you need to do.

Take it by your local parts store and have them pull codes for you and Right Them Down. Post them here and we will assist in getting to problem and fixing it.

If it is a problem with spark or Misfiring the code should be P0300 or any of the following P0301 - P0306.

.
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MAGGIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.4L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
I have my engine check light on after filling gas
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Friday, January 26th, 2018 AT 4:49 PM (Merged)

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