2004 Chevy Impala Engine Light Flashing

2004 Chevy Impala. Engine Size: 3400 v6.
My check engine light came on. While I was driving my car the check engine light started flashing and the car acted like it didn't want to go. When I turned the car off, it will not start. It acts like it wants to start but will not stay started.


Answer: A flashing engine light means that the computer is seeing an engine misfire that is severe enough to cause catalytic converter, damage. Unlike a steady ON light that is a regular emissions related problem. There are codes stored in the computer now, such as P0300- misfire. You would need to scan the system for stored trouble codes to see if there are more codes. By how it is acting, I would suspect that you were loosing fuel pressure and this was causing the misfire, and now there is no, or low pressure causing the no start condition. You would need to check this with a fuel pressure gauge. Another quick check that sometimes works is to pound on the bottom of the gas tank while someone cranks the engine. If it starts, then the pump is bad. It may start then stall, or keep running. Or spray starter fluid in the throttle while cranking. Could also possibly be an ignition control module problem causing the msfires and not starting, but really sounds like a gas problem.

Catalyst Not Reading Flag

2003 Chevy impala
Engine Size : 3.4L. Question : Catalyst read not ready in evaporative system read some on a Inspection. What does that mean.

Answer: what you are referring to is called I.M. flags. Your car's computer keeps track of what tests have been run by itself on emissions system components. The fact that the catalyst test has not run just means that since the last time codes were cleared or if you haven't driven it in a few days the computer has not seen all the parameters it needs in order to run the test. Normally in order to run that test the computer must also have run the oxygen sensor tests. Also the car must have been driven to meet certain criteria. Different your cars have different criteria. Usually the test will run after the engine is warmed up and has been driven over 45 miles an hour for a few minutes then come to a stop and idle for a few minutes. The same goes for the evaporative emissions system tests. Some tests ran some test didn't. If you just cleared the codes because of a check engine light and tried to take it to the inspection that won't work. It needs to be Jim for a while in different situations such as stop and go traffic, highway driving, engine off for a few minutes and then started and ran on highway again. Many different tests need to see many different things before it will run the test.

How To Change Shift Solenoids

2003 Chevy Impala Engine Size 3.4L. Question : is it very difficult to change the shift solenoids on this car.

Answer: If you're mechanically inclined and have the right tools, you can probably do it yourself. There are a few special things you need like an engine fixture to support the engine/trans. You need to remove the subframe from the vehicle so you can lower the trans down enough to get the side cover off and access the solenoids. From there you can change what you need to, just make sure the correct solenoid goes in the correct place. They are not all the same but will fit in other spots. Always use a new side cover gasket and fill with correct fluid afterwards.

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  • Guest - Timothy Smith

    I have a 2004 Chevy Impala. I recently replaced the fuel pump/gauge assembly and then later chec k engine light came on with po420 code so today had the Cat replaced. Afterwards I had to pass a vehicle and after kicking down into passing gear the check engine light started flashing and then stoped. Does anyone have an idea what's going on?

  • Guest - MIKE

    I have a 2001 Chevrolet Impala, that on rainy days, the check engine light starts to blink and the engine shakes. I opened the hood and noticed my ignition control module is sparking to the boot of the spark plug wire. I have put in new spark plugs and wires about three months ago, so I know it's not the wires. The problem ,I also noticed, is water droplets on the boot of the spark plug wires. On sunny dry days, it behaves and I don't have that problem. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.

  • Guest - TechHeader

    In reply to: Guest - MIKE

    Either the spark plug wires are not the best quality and they are arcing through the boots, or the ignition coils are the problem. Remove the wires at the coils and look for corrosion in the boot or on the coil towers.


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