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2003 Chevy Impala Problems - Oil Consumption and Security Light
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kmccune
Novice
Mar 6, 2009, 5:38 AM
Post #1 of 5
(3236 views)
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2003 Chevy Impala Problems - Oil Consumption and Security Light
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Hello. I have had a 2003 Chevy Impala for about a year now (purchased used from my parents). It has about 88,000 miles on it. I got the car knowing that the Security light would come on periodically and sometimes it flickers the dash lights and makes a clicking sound. So far, hasn't affected the driveability but it does happen on a regular basis now not just once in awhile. Has anyone had this problem and know how to fix it?
Also, more importantly, 4000 miles ago about 1500 miles after I got the oil changed I got the low engine oil warning light. My husband checked it and added more oil and we thought we'd keep an eye on it. At 3000 miles when I was due for my oil change I told the guy that it had been low and to check for any leaks or evidence of burning. He said the oil was a little low but they couldn't find any evidence of it leaking and the oil was really clean. I don't know if I'm being paranoid now but the car seems to be making a new whinning noise when it's running... Any ideas what could be wrong? Where could this oil be going.... what/where should we check?
Thanks for your time/help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 6, 2009, 7:24 AM
Post #2 of 5
(3234 views)
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Re: 2003 Chevy Impala Problems - Oil Consumption and Security Light
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Some thoughts and maybes on this:
Try a new battery in remote which may solve the security issue - just a guess on that.
Oil: Basically one qt in 1,500 would fit into a "normal" category in a lot of opinions for an 88k engine. I strongly suggest you check it yourself proactively once a week on good level ground/parking spot especially if perfectly level even add the 1/2 qt as needed. I suggest synthetic oil be used of the viscosity recommended for the car and stay with the same oil exactly. Changing brands can sometimes cause some consumption and it will (hopefully) stabilize at something predictable for you. This in light of no leaks found but look and check for spot where you park most.
Noise: Serpentine belts can make noise without asking them too . Try a spray of WD-40 on belt (grooves) if it looks ok and seems tight and if noise suddenly quits it's ready for a new belt. Be fussy and ask for the higher quality belt. If no change in noise remove belt and spin the items to find one that might be the culprit. Also good to be ahead of a failure of a bearing issue on any belt driven item especially, idler, tensioner pulleys, alternator, water pump or A/C clutch bearing are all just bearings and can have failures for no particular reason,
T
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kmccune
Novice
Mar 6, 2009, 8:07 AM
Post #3 of 5
(3231 views)
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Re: 2003 Chevy Impala Problems - Oil Consumption and Security Light
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Thank you. Just got back from my repair shop (picking up the Chevy truck with the 3rd fuel pump replacement). He hoisted it up and checked it over and said it was bone dry... no evidence of an oil leak. Coolant looked fine. Hopefully just that one oil change was messed up and they didn't put enough in.... I will keep an eye on it. Whinning noise sounds like power steering and there is a "chirping" noise when idleing that he suspects might be related to the water pump. It had a little give to it when he was pushing on it. The belt looked fine. Could be a a bearing making the noise too.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 6, 2009, 9:55 AM
Post #4 of 5
(3229 views)
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Re: 2003 Chevy Impala Problems - Oil Consumption and Security Light
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OK: Just keep an eye on oil and don't freak over that for now.
Noise: That needs finding. Do this yourself with the WD-40 thing - engine off spray the surface. Restart car if noise is gone it need a belt whether it looks good or not! Again - if still there chase down what and why. With belt on it's hard to know which pullied item it might be. If PS fluid is low that makes noises but should also be showing a leak which apparently it isn't. Check that anyway.
Belt noise again: What can happen and can happen by brand of belt is then shine each other up (pulleys and belt) and get like a squeaky clean finger running across wet glass type which can express itself as a squeak, crackle and it CAN duplicate a bad bearing sound and it's not a bearing at all sometimes. The belt I like with problem cars is the GoodYear Gatorback "the quiet one" as they boast on the package and they are! They do stretch a bit faster than others but stay quiet if a belt issue IS THE ISSUE.
Don't let that go as if it is a bearing and it fails the belt could fall off, damage other things and you can't use the car from that moment on till fixed. If need be have the tech take the belt off and spin items by hand is a way to isolate the bad bearing. If your tech can't think of that then find another tech!
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Truck: 3rd fuel pump suggests use of aftermarket (non GM) parts OR the truck is run low on fuel too much - that kills fuel pumps and GMs are fussy about proper pressure - just so you know,
T
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kmccune
Novice
Mar 6, 2009, 10:19 AM
Post #5 of 5
(3225 views)
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Re: 2003 Chevy Impala Problems - Oil Consumption and Security Light
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It's definately my goal to figure out the noise before it becomes a bigger problem...have to, as I drive my children around all the time and can't take chances by putting things off. The belt that is on there is a GM belt that looks good, but will do the WD-40 test.
He used an OE pump the last time (didn't the first time) but this last time found a lot of rust and sediment in the fuel tank which he was surprised by. My husband does let the truck go to empty before refilling on a regular basis which we didn't know was bad and certainly wont continue to do.
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