Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-81
We have a 2001 and we had all of the problems everyone had. Our last problem everyone kept telling us it was the fuel pump, but it wasn't. It was the map sensor, and now our car won't shift until it gets high rpm, so we have to go replace the TCM. I hate Chevys. LOL.
Our trac off light came on too, but we went and had it realigned and it went off.
YES, YES, YES!!! Trac off EASILY fixed by replacing the TPS Throttle Position Sensor. I had all the same symptoms as everybody else. I thought the trans was bad. I just replaced the TPS and the Trac off light went off and the transmission shifts like brand new, I swear! $30.00 at Autozone.
Part# Duralast TPS161.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Fuel+Delivery&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=cat30060¤tPage=1&filterByKeyWord=tps&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=14900136&categoryNValue=14999999&fromWhere=&itemId=prod61278&displayName=Throttle+Position+Sensor&searchText=tps
This job took me about 20 minutes to fix. I figure anybody can do this in under an hour for sure.
There were only 3 tools; a medium size flat blade screwdriver, a t20 torx wrench, and a 10mm wrench. I disconnected the flexible snorkel for the air cleaner housing first. 2 worm gear hose clamps, 1 on each end. I then used the 10mm to loosen the one bolt that holds the air cleaner assembly to the top of the motor. This is easiest done from the passenger side of the car. The last thing you have to loosen is another worm gear clamp that actually holds the air cleaner assembly to the throttle body itself. This will probably be the hardest thing to get to and it's not so bad.
Once you are sure that you have everything loose, gently wiggle the assembly side to side to side while lifting. The rubber will probably somewhat suck to the throttle body, so just be persistent, it will come off without too much effort. Once you have removed this you will be able to see the TPS. It is mounted on the passenger side of the throttle body.
Disconnect the electrical connector from the TPS carefully, by prying gently on the release while pulling on the connector. There will be 2 t20 torx head screws that have to be removed so you can remove the sensor. They are usually loctited in and may be stingy to remove. I accomplished this best with an allen shaped T20 wrench. Once you remove the screws, reinstall the new sensor by aligning the center of the switch with the output shaft and then rotating it counterclockwise to realign the holes to replace the screws. When you put the new screws in, they should also have thread locker applied sparingly to the threads before you insert and tighten them.
The rest of the procedure is just the reverse of what you did earlier.
Now when you start the car, you may be disappointed to see that the Trac Off light is still on. Don't worry, let that transmission slam into gear and drive it for a few miles. It won't take long for the light to go off and your transmission to shift like new again. What a fantastic and cheap fix!!!
I seriously hope this helps everyone out and finally puts an end to the question for now. Now go out and fix your car or grab anyone with the slightest bit of mechanical ability and this job will be a snap! This was for a 2001 Cavalier 2.2 SFI motor (2200) which is in most of these cars.
Good Luck! :)
OK so, sorry this is a continuance of my previous post. Just a little something I forgot about. Think about it, why would the Trac light come on in the first place? The Trac Off light signals that your traction control is off. To me it makes a lot of sense. The computer (ECM) knows what you're doing with the gas pedal by getting its information from the TPS. So logically if the computer can't read what you're doing with the gas pedal, it won't know how to shift your trans or where your idle should be, etc.. so it probably disables the Traction Control to be safe and makes your transmission try to function without knowing what you are doing with the gas. I don't want to take credit for it being the TPS, I gleaned that information from the posts in this forum already. I am just FINALLY verifying that yes indeed it is the TPS and it IS a cheap and quick fix. (BTW most cars won't throw or store a code for the TPS. If your light comes on and your car shifts like crap, it's probably the throttle position sensor)
Take a chance and get it fixed for next to nothing. DON'T TAKE YOUR CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, they will tell you you need a new transmission and you don't. If you can't do it yourself and don't know anyone who can, then take it to a shop you trust and ask them to replace the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) for you. I'm guessing it shouldn't be more than about $100.00 to have fixed.
Okay, my girlfriend has a 2001 Chevy Cavalier. She keeps up everything normally, but lately it has been stalling randomly on several major roads where we live. Her father keeps having to put fresh transmission fluid in it. I took a look at it the other day, and the transmission is clean, so no leaks there. They think there is a hole in a line, but I think the fittings on the intercooler are bad, does anyone have any ideas on this? It would be a great help.
To continue the last comment. I got under the car today, and it was nasty!!! There is fluid all over the place. Checked the lines, everything is good there, any ideas? I think it may be a bad gasket, but I am not too sure. Engine has 43k miles and was bought right off the lot.
I have a 2001 Cavalier 2.2 motor. It has 101k right now and I have not experienced any problems with the transmission.
A few days after purchasing the vehicle, the car would not start. When I flipped the key, I couldn't hear the fuel pump. Obviously a shop is gonna charge a lot for this, but even if you do it yourself, you're looking at spending $150-$200. We didn't want to waste money on a part until we knew it was bad. (every check performed lead us to believe the fuel pump wasn't getting juice or was bad.) after taking the assembly out of the tank, (drained it) tested the pump on a battery and it worked. Replugged it into the car, car drove great for 2 days and then the pump wouldn't start again. Took it out, did a more thorough inspection. Between the power plug on top of the fuel sender and where those wires connect to the pump, there is a short. I pushed the wires in and tightened them, and then it starts again. To be honest I'm probably best off just getting a new assembly unit but don't have the money for it right now. Gonna make the P O S work as long as possible!
Good luck!
Bought a 2001 Cavalier last week.
ABS light Trac Off light and service light with a wrench picture came up. Took it to my mechanic today he said it is left rear wheel bearing 350.00 to fix. He said they go out in these cars a lot. He told me not to waste my money because the engine is missing from engine and sometimes only runs on 3 cylinders. Not sure what to do now. Bought it from a lady so can't get my money back. Anyone that has this Cavalier problem? Any suggestions? Thank you.
I have a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier with TRAC OFF light turned on at random times. Transmission shifts into low gear, probably by the computer. Stop car, turn engine off. Car restarts with a rough jump in the transmission; but the TRAC OFF light goes off for a period of time the car runs normal until the TRAC OFF light comes back on.
This is my first post. After reading all of your comments I had the TPS (throttle position sensor) replaced. It cost $30 dollars at AutoZone, if you want to do it yourself. A very detailed description of how to replace the TPS is in one of the July 2009 posts.
Now six weeks later I can report that all problems have disappeared and the car runs like new.
I'm not a mechanic so I asked my service station to order and replace the TPS. He charged me $49 for the sensor and $38 for the labor. $87 and all my problems were fixed. If you have the same symptoms; please don't try any other fix until you have tried the TPS replacement.
Good luck everyone and thanks for your help.
For those who had stalling problems, my mechanic found the main wire to the computer from the battery was absolutely frayed apart. It was stalling because the wire was connected, then after a bump or some continuous driving, it frayed back apart. The GM factory wires are thin and crappy. He replaced the wire with a thicker, more durable wire, and it has worked since. It's been about a year now.
Now, I have to correct the TRAC OFF light problem that has lagged on for a while. And most recently, every time I turn on my car, the clock is behind since the last time I had it on. (ex. it could be 7:45PM and clock says 3:27PM). Anyways else, had this clock issue and could it be the computer itself? Please respond to help. Thanks.
Well I'm glad my post on the TPS was able to help someone out. I left the detailed instructions on the R&R of the part. I was interested to hear that the fix did indeed cost less than $100.00 and it's nice to know there are still honorable shops out there. I'm sure more than 1 person has had there trans replaced only to have the problem reoccur. It seems like these cars are a problem after another, but I hope mine are over for now, (until I replace that damn wheel bearing growling at me). Happy Motoring!!!
Like most of you I have had the same problem with the trac off light. Last summer I was at a complete loss until I came across this forum. I ended up changing my TPS and all of my problems were relieved.
Now here we are in a new summer with an old problem. The past few days the idle on my 2001 cavalier has been running sporadically high then low, especially when the A/C is on. And just an hour ago while out my trac off light came on combined with an engine light. Am going right now to get another TPS; why has Chevy not put out a technical bulletin on this yet?
Well hope this helps changing the TPS will work for some reason.
Good luck fellow headache owners.
Hey everyone, I have an '01 2 door 4.4 liter, and the same thing had happened to me. I had my brake shoes replaced and this (trac off) warning came on, and I would have to come to a red light and the car just didn't have any power. I would turn the car off, then turn right back on, and it was fine until it did it again.
Then when I took it to my mechanic, he at first thought it was the trans. Then he put his computer on the car and it said (1275 malfunction) and it was not in his codec for what it was, so he deleted it from the computer, which deleted from the car's computer, and it has been a month and it is just like I bought it brand new, so I think it is in the reset system like the older models in the fuse box; you reset it and it gets rid of the gauge malfunctions. So I hope this helps.
I would not get rid of my Cavalier for anything. I now have had 8 and the only thing I did not like about my '85 was it started rusting so bad and fast, I had to get rid of it. Well hope this helps everyone. I will later post more if anything else goes wrong.
I would think that the idle problems with the A/C on could be more directly related to an IAC valve. This sensor is supposed to regulate your idle and re-adjust under load. This part is about $100.00. I believe that IAC is short for Idle Air Control. Hope this helps.
I too have a 2001 Cavalier and a couple of days ago the Trac off light came on and it stays lit. Only the Trac off light is on, not the check engine light or the ABS light.
I had new rotors, drums and pads installed about three weeks before the Trac off light came on. I took it back to the place where I had my brakes done and they scanned it for error codes. This is what came up. Error code: C1275 PCM Serial Data Malfunction. That still leaves me with no answers. I was told to have it checked by a GM dealer.
Any information about this error code would be appreciated. 6paws@comcast.net
Read the previous posts. Then replace your TPS. I think it's pretty clearly spelled out above...