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I own a 2000 5 speed chevy prizm. I noticed that whenever I turn on the defogger it will start the Air conditioning . I can see the green light even though A/C is turned off . Is it some thing abnormal and should I need to take it for inspection?
Any info on the above is greatly appreciated
Thanks a lot
I purchased a used (former rental car) 2000 Chevy Prism with around 26,000 miles on it.
At less than 37,000 miles I keep smelling coolant after the engine is warm. A local dealer which has serviced the car for about 2 years can find nothing major wrong. Taking it to a private mechanic, I find a potential head gasket failure.
Any one else with either a Prism (2000) or Corolla have such an issue? The coolant is in good shape and I have used "by the book" maintenance on this car so far. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
~alpha
<url>http://www.blackstone-labs.com/free_test_kit.html</url>
Had a Technical service bulletin that the dealer didnt know how to fix because the TSb didnt say how to fix it:
Component Description:
7. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP NHTSA Number: 264478
Bulletin Number: 42
Bulletin Date: FEB 2002
Vehicle: 2002 Chevrolet Prizm
Summary:
SUBJECT REGARDING DEFECTIVE GAS CAPS. *TT
Anyway, I brought it in to the dealer numerous times, and the problem always came back. I brought it in again recently for the same problem, and now they want to charge me for diagnosis. I called GM to appeal, but they said it's their "policy" and there's nothing they can do about it.
I took the advice in post #330 in this discussion group, and submitted a complaint to NHTSA. Is there anything else I can do? Have others in this group experienced this problem?
I'm also curious as to whether the blinking light problem represents an actual danger (misfiring or non-firing airbags), or if it is just a sensor malfunction.
If your going to do a tom of freeway driving I'd opt for an overdrive car, unless you can get a really killer deal on this one.
gmcertified: ask the dealer for the 100 point inspection list. i bought a gmcertified venture last year. things aren't necessarily reconditioned-just checked. but do check to be sure things were actually checked. on mine the air and cabin filters were both filthy yet they were on the list as having been checked. i made them change both-the cabin filters would have cost me $50 from gm!
Don't know what I am going to do about it.
Any one know what it really should be??
Thanks.
Thanks,
Leo
corny: i'm at about 22k now on my original firestones. they're bad, i'll change them in june.
donelson: did you get the certified prizm?
Regards,
Leo
Also are the part #'s the same?
thanks!!
thanks,
Funds are tight. The auto is for my teens travel to school and youth group. All within 10-15 min from home. Autos are not my forte.
The 96 is currently at 140k miles, and while mostly problem free, it burns a bit of oil and leaks some. About a quart per 1000 miles is added to it. While this can be fixed, it just does not seem economical.
If any (cheap) car can go over 300000 miles, it is the Prizm. However, you should consider other Prizms, with lower mileage. I understand that funds are tight, and I don't know if you live in or close to a larger city, with ready access to used cars for sale. In any case, I would look for something fresher. I routinely see 98-99 Prizms with 70-90k miles advertized in the local Minneapolis newspaper for 3-3.5k. If this is way more than what you are planning to spend, I would look for an older model, but still with the lower mileage.
At 180k it's mechanically sound, but it has a real case of the uglies. I replaced it with a used Accord, and will be donating it charity.
dverespey, thanks for the reply.
Well I finalized the purchase of the 1999 Prizm with 12598 miles on it, on Saturday last. AAA Diagnostic came back with 'minor leak on left front axle shaft housing seal and minor seepage on right'. At the time of the diagnostic, AAA told me that to have this fixed would be 2.5 - 3 hours in labor plus parts.
Curiously I called AAA today to get a recommendation for a shop to do the work and the guy I spoke to today basically told me he thought it highly unlikely the car has this problem with so few miles. I asked him to speak to the tech who had done the inspection. The tech told him that the leak was so minor it is nothing to worry about and that I could monitor it myself by putting some card board under the vehicle to see if any oil is leaking.
They also suggested they could add some dye,have me drive it some miles and bring it back to them. They said this would tell for sure if there is a leak to worry about.
Anyone out there familiar with this kind of problem, should I worry about it or 'not' as they suggested? Should I do the dye thing for my own peace of mind? Any help is much appreciated.
Anyway, I noticed the tranny fluid is a little gray, which they showed me was checked off ok, but I have not seen anything other than a pinkish fluid before. We have to get an owners manual mailed to us, but does Chevy/Toyota have a special type of fluid or to be safe should I have her do an exchange now that it's almost at 30K mi? She's headed back to Madison so I want to ensure this lasts as long as all the reviews say it should (trust me we were getting nickled/dimed by her old 92 Corsica so I am sure this will be MUCH better). THANKS.
IMO the 93-97 Corolla/Prizm models are the best versions made.