Where can you find a list of dash warning lights for a 2000 Chevy Cavalier?

Answer 1

The list below is for the 2000-2002 Cavalier's dash. The lights on the 1995-1999 mean the same thing, but they are not in the same place.

Engine suggestions may not be the same if you have an Eco-Tech engine. The answers are from the 2.2L OHV (Internal cam) engine. It is very similar in the overhead cam engines, and the 2.4L engines.

If a light is Yellow, it means do something about it soon. If it's red, it means do sometthing about it NOW.

The right side:

Bottom left corner is Anti-Lock brake system (ABS). If it's on, it means a malfunction with the ABS system.

Immediately to the right of the ABS is seatbelt. To the right of that is Low Battery. Low Battery can also come on for alternator issues, or bad connection to your battery. First, make sure your battery has a good connection. AutoZone will test your battery and alternator for free.

Directly above the ABS light is Check Engine (CEL). If it's on, AutoZone will tell you why it's on for free. Or use an OBD II code reader and it will tell you why your check engine light is on.

Directly to the right of the Check Engine Light is Low Coolant. It is red, and looks like a square container with fluid in it, with an arrow pointing downward. Add some coolant (water and antifreeze mix) to the plastic tank on the passenger side of your engine compartment. There is a sensor in the very bottom of this tank that turns the light on. The light does not tell you the level of coolant in your engine, or in the radiator. Make sure your car is warmed up (to 195 F) to get a good reading.

To add coolant to your car, fill the plastic container to the FULL COLD line with the ENGINE COLD. DO NOT ADD COOLANT TO A CAR THAT IS HOT! You may warp the cylinder head! Let the car warm up, then cool back down, and add more if necessary.

Directly to the right of the low coolant light is the Low Traction light. Above the Low Coolant light is the Traction Control Light (says TRAC OFF). That means your traction control system is not working. Low Traction means just that, your car has low traction.

Above the TRAC OFF light is the shift up light (does not exist on automatic transmission cars).

The left side of the dash:

Top one (looks like your high-beam light, but green instead) is daytime running lights (DRL). Your DRL come on when your e-brake is not applied and your car is turned on, and your headlights are not turned on. It is a way to make sure your headlights are always "somewhat" on when you are driving. It's for safety. Some places, like Canada, require that you always drive with your lights on.

If you really hate the daytime running lights, pull your E-Brake up one click while you are driving (unless you have an automatic, then the car will ding at you every couple seconds).

Below the DRL light is the airbag. If it is on, it means your airbag is NOT working.

Below that is Service Engine. It is diffrerent from Check Engine.

BRAKE indicates an issue with your braking system, or that the parking brake is engaged. The brake light reads pressure on the porportioning valve, and can illumnate with high or low pressure (check for leaks)

To the left of BRAKE is Engine Oil Pressure. The light is activated by a sensor on the left side of the engine below the intake manifold. (Your engine sits sideways, with the front pointing towards the passenger side). Oil Pressure IS NOT oil level. There is no light or indicator on your car that you are running low on oil. You should check your oil every other day. These cars are about 10 years old! Low oil can blow your engine.

The oil pressure light looks like a "gravy boat" with a couple drops coming out the end. Or, it says OIL or OIL PRESSURE, depending on what year your Cavalier is. If your oil pressure light is on, I would not drive your car. If oil is failing to get to all parts of your engine, your engine could seize up. Check oil level. Remove your valve cover and run the car, and make sure oil is pumping up to the valves. Could be your oil pump. Your oil pump has a screen on it that can get clogged with excessive sludge. The oil pump is inside your oil pan, it's not very fun to get to.

Above oil pressure is anti theft system indicator. If you have a factory alarm, it may flash when the car is locked. Otherwise, it is an indicator of a malfunction in the anti-theft system, most typically with the Passlock ignition cylinder. If your car starts, dies, then flashes the Anti-Theft or Security light, it is your Passlock system, and you will eventually need a new key cylinder. Try leaving Key on for 15 minutes, then (without turning key back off) try to restart.)

Above the theft system indicator is Check Gauges indicator. That means, look at your gauges, there's something wrong. (Gas is extremely low, engine is too hot, RPM's are too high, etc.).