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Chevrolet (Geo) Prizm

1320 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 6:37 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Prizm, Geo Prizm, Sedan

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#666 of 1320 squeak6:Longevity tips / check engine light by lrlprizm May 17, 2003 (9:13 pm)
Squeak: You're cruising along w/ your prizm! I'm glad my prizm doesn't have that idiot "check engine" light. Having a loose gas cap is a common culprit. If your car is driving OK, the "check engine" light usually points to something minor. But I know it's a pain to see that light on. Goose is right; you'll need to go somewhere that can pull the codes off your car's computer system to see what's amiss. I'll never buy a car with a "check engine" light! By the way, my trusty '95 Lsi just passed the 150k mark. Had to go to Walmart to buy a new tire (Goodyr Viva Touring) since the old one was worn down to the treadwear bars. If you rotate your tires and keep them inflated properly, you can get at least 50k - 85k per tire (assuming you buy a good tire). One longevity tip that will save you money in the future: Try to treat your rubber parts (CV joint boots, weatherstrips, etc) with a good wiping of silicone spray or other rubber automotive treatment products. This will keep the rubber pliable and long-lasting. Replacing a CV-joint boot is a pain, not to mention expensive. Flushing your radiator should be ez. Hope you've already done it. I plan to do another transmission flush soon (it's been about 22k miles)... never had a tranny problem. Will also attempt to "purge" and replace the brake fluid this summer. Other than that, synthetic oil and careful driving remains the key to longevity. See you at the 200k mark!
#667 of 1320 CAESAR: Sludge concerns by lrlprizm May 17, 2003 (9:30 pm)
Caesar: If you've owned chevy cavaliers and ford taurus' in the past, I feel you'll find owning a prizm (corolla) a pleasant surprise. Like the reply b4 mine, I wouldn't worry about sludge in the prizm engine. Just make sure you change your oil regularly and you should have no problems with the prizm's engine. My Lsi prizm is now over 8 yrs old w/ over 150k miles--no engine or tranny problems. I use nothing but synthetic oil, and feel that's the ultimate secret to longevity--plus overall routine maintenance. Pick a good used prizm and enjoy the reliability. I have friends who have taurus' and cavaliers and I'm amazed at the amount and type of problems they have with their cars every few thousand miles--amazing.
#668 of 1320 lrlprizm by caesarslegion May 18, 2003 (7:26 pm)
Thanks for the info. The local chevy dealer has a bunch of them at reasonable prices and low miles. I usually buy new but the company I work for is going through a hard time and laying people off. So the lower the car note/high reliability the better.
#669 of 1320 ABS Light On by 09norcim May 19, 2003 (7:08 am)
Hi:   We have a 96 Prizm. The ABS (yellow light) stays on sometimes after start. Sometimes it goes away and the ABS works fine. Went to "MIDAS", they told me that they do not have the "ABS scanner", so I need to go to the dealer (However, they told me on the phone that they will charge $70 to get the ABS codes only). Dealer's shop said they charge $175 to service ABS and parts are extra. "TUFFY" told me to come on workdays only as GM ABS brake parts (Denso??) parts are available only at the GM dealers. Found a bulletin (www.carquest.com/techbulletins/brakes/1998/CQB9817.pdf) at "Carquest." It tells to it look for two codes and change pinion gear ($20.00 part).   I need suggestions for owners who had the similar problems.   Thanks   PS: (I am going to disconnect the battery to see, if all data/elec. resets. Does the break oil needs to be changed)
#670 of 1320 09NORCIM: ABS Light by lrlprizm May 19, 2003 (9:00 pm)
Although I might not be able to help you out completely, here's some info about your ABS light. Good news: If your ABS light remains on, it usually means you have regular braking, but not ABS braking. However, according to my thick service manual for my '95 prizm (900+ pgs), if the ABS light flashes, regular braking has been degraded and you must service the brakes pronto. BTW, the anti-lock brake section covers over 200 pgs! Bad news: The diagrams and charts get pretty technical, so it's best left up to the pros to pull the codes and correctly diagnose the root of the problem. Being that your light "sometimes" stays on, it's possible there's a short somewhere in the system--but that's only an educated guess. Flushing and bleeding the brake fluid is always a good maintenance idea (I plan to do it soon on my '95 prizm), but ABS brakes involves an extra step to bleed the hydraulic modulator--although I heard from "click and clack" that bleeding ABS brakes the regular way won't harm your ABS--you just won't completely bleed the system. Low brake fluid will cause your red "BRAKE" light to illuminate, and isn't connected to your amber ABS light. BTW, I've had no pblms with my ABS, and they've saved me from a couple of accidents already.
#672 of 1320 Geo Prizm and Corrrola by mohan_anuraag May 24, 2003 (10:50 am)
Hi,    Ihave come across an offer to buy a Geo 1994 Prizm. The seller tells me that it is a replica of the corrola.     I was wondering whether that is the truth.
#673 of 1320 That was the nicest of the Corolla models IMHO, by csandste May 24, 2003 (4:36 pm)
with the possible exception of the newest Corollas. It was a Corolla Sprinter in the Japanese market. Upscale from the Corolla of the same era. This was not true of the 98+ cars which were identical to the Corolla with some trim changes.
#674 of 1320 Front Brakes - 23K miles by het123 Jun 03, 2003 (11:40 am)
I have a 2000 Prizm with just over 23K miles. I have had it into the shop three times for a squeaking noise coming from front driver's side tire area (only when going over bumps) and recently for a grinding/squealing when turning left at low speeds. The dealer keeps feeding me the "unable to duplicate" excuse eventhough I leave the shop and hear it as I turn left out of their dealership! At the last visit, I got another "unable to duplicate." They visually inspected and said all was well. Well, then they say on the receipt that it will need new front brakes on the next visit (around 25K miles). Has anyone ever heard of brakes needing done this early? I am not a heavy or aggressive braker and really think there may be more to this than the dealer is saying.
#675 of 1320 1998 - keeping it running @ 179,000 miles by squeak6 Jun 19, 2003 (10:07 am)
I had the engine checked to see what was causing the light to come on and received the code P0420. Generic Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). I think it may be due to me pulling off at the gas station with the cap off. I hope it does not come back on.... I may need a tune-up because the engine is a little loud. Will a tune up quiet down the engine noise?   My mileage is 178,984 for my 98 5-speed prizm.

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