Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Diagnostic Procedures
2001 Chevrolet Cavalier LS, 2.4 TSECTION Diagnostic Procedures
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2000 Pontiac Firebird, 2000 Chevrolet Corvette, and 2000 Chevrolet Camaro. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Perform On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system check. See ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC (OBD) SYSTEM CHECK . After performing OBD system check, go to next step.
- Turn ignition on, with engine off. Using scan tool, command solenoid on and off. If solenoid turns on and off as commanded, go to next step. If solenoid does not turn on or off when commanded, go to step 5.
- Turn ignition off. Disconnect PCM harness connector containing solenoid control circuit. Turn ignition on. Using a DVOM set to 40-amp scale, check current from solenoid control circuit in PCM harness connector to ground for 2 minutes. If current draw is less than.75 amp (but not zero), see DIAGNOSTIC AIDS . If current draw is not less than.75 amp (but not zero), go to next step.
- Turn ignition off. Disconnect solenoid connector. Check resistance between solenoid control circuit in PCM harness connector to ground. If resistance is infinite, go to step 12. If resistance reading is not infinite, go to step 10.
- Turn ignition off. Disconnect solenoid connector. Connect test light between terminals in solenoid harness connector. Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, command solenoid on and off. If test light turns on and off with each command, go to step 8. If test light does not turn on and off with each command, go to next step.
- Connect test light to ground and probe ignition feed circuit in solenoid harness connector. If test light illuminates, go to next step. If test light does not illuminate, go to step 11.
- Turn ignition off. Reconnect solenoid connector. Disconnect PCM harness connector containing solenoid control circuit. Turn ignition on. Connect a fused jumper wire between to ground and PCM connector (harness side), solenoid control circuit. If solenoid operates, go to step 9. If solenoid does not operate when energized, go to step 10.
- Check connections at solenoid. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 14. If solenoid connection is okay, go to step 12.
- Check connections at PCM. Repair as necessary. After repairs, go to step 14. If connections are okay, go to step 13.
- Repair faulty solenoid control circuit. After repairs, go to step 14.
- Repair faulty solenoid ignition feed circuit. After repairs are complete, go to step 14.
- Replace solenoid. After replacing solenoid, go to step 14.
- Replace PCM. Program replacement PCM using required equipment. After replacing PCM, go to next step.
- Using scan tool, select DTC, CLEAR INFO function. Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Select DTC, SPECIFIC, then enter this DTC. Operate vehicle within conditions for setting this DTC. If scan tool indicates that this test ran and passed, go to next step. If scan tool does not indicate that this test ran and passed, repeat step 2.
- Using scan tool, select CAPTURE INFO, REVIEW INFO function. If any undiagnosed DTCs are displayed, go to applicable DTC test.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.