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Chevrolet Impala General Care & Maintenance

50 messages,  Last post on Sep 26, 2011 at 8:07 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Impala Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Impala, Auto Repair, Oil, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 5

#21 of 50 Re: 2000 3.8L Power Steering & Dash Lights [tbush] by nosirrahg

Dec 26, 2006 (8:30 pm)

Replying to: tbush (Dec 26, 2006 7:15 pm)
I checked my Haynes manual, and it shows the power steering fluid reservoir as located towards the firewall side of the engine beneath the alternator (on the passenger side). It should be somewhere near the drive belt. I know I took mine in to a local shop when the power steering started making some noise, and my problem was simply low fluid (they topped it off and it was fine)...but they said it was difficult to get to/see the reservoir, so they weren't surprised I hadn't thought to check it sooner.

#22 of 50 Re: 2000 3.8L Power Steering & Dash Lights [tbush] by 3900lt

Dec 29, 2006 (8:37 am)

Replying to: tbush (Dec 26, 2006 7:15 pm)
It was indeed my power steering fluid. I filled it up and now the sound is gone.
 
I don't know where the power steering fluid is in your car but I know its in one of the caps up front, mine was to the top left of my engine, check your manual. As for the dim dashboard light, its probably just the resistor switch/knob where you can adjust the brightness. Try looking for light switch inside your car and see if it twists or roll or similar.
 
Does anybody have the latest Impala with the service engine and traction light going off and on a couple times a week?

#23 of 50 Faulty temperature gauge? by katya

Jan 21, 2007 (8:40 pm)

I have a 2001 Impala with about 106,000 miles and it's been acting up lately. On long car trips, the temperature gauge will stop registering any heat in the engine (the needle doesn't move at all), the check engine light comes on, and the AC will stop cooling (it still blows, though). This only happens after the first leg - as in the car's had a chance to heat up for the first hour or two but the gauge doesn't "break" until I restart the car for the next leg. After a day or two it "fixes" itself again. It also runs some fan in the engine after I turn the car off to cool down the car, I guess.
 
This first happened in late September (I'm in the south so I did need the AC!), then at Thanskgiving. I think it's happened every time I've traveled long distances since then. I travelled at least 6 hours a weekend through all of October, and many weekends since Thanksgiving (though not always with my car now). The car hasn't broken down in all that traveling, but I have no idea if it's actually overheating or not.
 
Also, I did just take the car in to try to get this fixed. I spoke with the Korean secretary who I don't think quite got my problem across to the mechanic, so they found some other problem that required replacing a couple of gaskets. I just found out while travelling this weekend that they didn't fix the right problem.
 
Any ideas? Is it just a sensor problem, or possibly something more significant?

#24 of 50 Re: Faulty temperature gauge? [katya] by nosirrahg

Jan 22, 2007 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: katya (Jan 21, 2007 8:40 pm)
I can't answer your questions about your cooling problem, but here's another one for you...on the gaskets they replaced, was one of them the upper intake manifold gasket? I ask because there was a recall for some 2000 & 2001 models a few years ago; I'd already had mine repaired ( $800), but was reinbursed by GM when the recall came out. If this was one of the gaskets replaced (and it hadn't been done before) I think you should be able to get reinbursed.

#25 of 50 oil change light by enealk

Jan 24, 2007 (9:03 pm)

I've changed the oil on my 04 impala, now how do I reset the "time for oil change" indicator in the message window?

#26 of 50 Re: oil change light [enealk] by quietpro

Jan 25, 2007 (5:44 pm)

Replying to: enealk (Jan 24, 2007 9:03 pm)
There are two methods, one through the stereo and the other involves a routine with the gas pedal. Your owner's manual will describe either procedure. I have an '06 now and can't remember the steps. Hope that helps.

#27 of 50 2002 Impala dash/gauges not working by essilem

Apr 05, 2007 (5:30 pm)

I've read through ALL the forums searching for a possible solution to my problem and I haven't exactly found what I was looking for...
  
My car starts up fine, but many times when I start it non of the guages, radio, A/C, OnStar, Cruise, etc. will work. Turn signals and hazards work fine.
  
Took it to the dealership one day when it was actually acting up, and the guy said he wasn't getting any error codes on it at all...which I believe, I was standing right next to him in the parking lot. Checked all the fuses, no issues there. He says it could be an ignition switch, but not sure. I'm reading that it's possible it the bcm.
  
By the way, this usually only happens when it's warm outside. I'm from NE OH, so yesterday when it was 80, they didn't work at all. Today it was 35, and everything worked fine.
  
Any ideas?????

#28 of 50 Re: 2002 Impala dash/gauges not working [essilem] by tomc1965

May 02, 2007 (11:58 am)

Replying to: essilem (Apr 05, 2007 5:30 pm)
Make sure that there aren't any missing grommets in the fire wall. Sounds like a short to me or a break in a wire.
Make sure all the relays are working just tap them the next time this happens and see if it magically comes on.

#29 of 50 Re: 2005' Chevy Impala [rockylee] by evolutionman

Jun 10, 2007 (10:07 am)

Replying to: rockylee (Nov 04, 2006 12:25 am)
My 2000 Chevy Impala had its timing chip go out after the warranty on it expired. Just to replace the timing chip (controls seatbelt warning, airbag warning, and other instrument panel warnings) cost +$400.00 (parts & labor). The computer module item lists for more. Are they charging your friend $800 for the part in addition to labor? If so, they are ripping her off. Negotiate or seek other service shops. Good luck.

#30 of 50 2000 Chevy Impala still going strong by evolutionman

Jun 10, 2007 (10:14 am)

My wife's 2000 Chevy Impala (V6 eng) has rolled over 135K miles in 7 years and is still going strong. Except for brakes, struts, tires, and the usual wear on it, the original paint is intact w/o blemishes. The car still flies down the road, has a great suspension, and performs well in all things we demand of it. The seals on some of the engine parts are showing small leaks but are repairable. The interior has maintained itself well despite 4 kids and the excesive mileage on the highways. If the 2007/2008 model can hold up to the same high demands, we'll trade the old one in for a newer version.

Messages Page 3 of 5

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