I am sensing bad vibe from some of you posting in this thread. Why the negative criticism? I don’t post here that often so how some of you still remember me? And digging up my old posts to make me look bad lol.
The oil pressure light sometimes flashes on and off because oil is either leaking, burning, or both. It goes away after I do an oil change because the oil is full. But after more than 2,000 miles of driving, it comes back because oil is down to the level where it is affecting the oil pressure sensor, I guess. It usually happens when I make left and right turns because the oil is probably on one side and the sensor is not sensing enough oil momentarily.
I believe the problem is oil leaking from the valve cover gasket and maybe spark plug tube sealer. But it is NOT a waste of money to fix this problem. I am not the type of person to get rid of a car because it has some problems. Yes, I understand the car is old, year 2001, so 23 years old. And the mileage is kind of high, around 214,000 miles. But this car has sentimental value and I actually like driving this car anyway. I am just a Do It Yourself person who posts questions on forums and watches youtube videos to fix my car problems. I have been able to fix most of the problems myself. Whatever I can’t really do or too hard, my option is to take it to a mechanic shop, or a mobile mechanic if the mechanic shop is too expensive. I go to a mechanic only once in a while nowadays because I do most of my own car repairs.
So lets talk about what I have done on this car. Yes, I do have an annoying EVAP check engine light that keeps coming back for some reason. I already replaced the vent valve and purge valve a while ago and recently I got a OEM gas cap from online GM seller which I think is different than Amazon and Autozone gas caps. The check engine light doesn’t come on as often as before. Even if it comes on, I clear the code and it will be a long time before it comes back again (a lot longer than before)
You want to know how I fixed the traction control light? On this car, it is a Enhanced Traction System button switch next to the hazard light switch, both sitting above the radio. So apparently the lock tab on it broke so I guess the connection wasn’t in all the time. So when I was driving, it kept connecting and disconnecting from car movement. I put another switch in with a lock tab and no more traction control light. can’t believe this, right? lol
As for losing traction in the rain, I fixed it by getting new tires. My tires were 6 to 7 years old and it was down to 4/32 tread wear so I guess that’s why it was slipping in the rain. I was able to use the prorated manufacturer warranty which I was able to deduct from the cost of the new tires so it saved me quite a bit of money. I got some decent new tires so I didn’t really pay too much to fix this problem.
As for loud exhaust, I don’t think it is that loud anymore or maybe it doesn’t bother me anymore. I guess changing the vent valve, purge valve and gas cap helped to some extent. I also used some exhaust emissions cleaner which also helped I guess.
I do understand some of them are not completely fixed but I am a simple guy trying to get as many miles out of this car as possible. As long as I can still drive this thing, I can tolerate minor problems.
