ETS light stays on, no speedometer

Tiny
BLOODYCHUNKS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 123,645 MILES
Had the oil changed in my car today, after I left the shop my car would not shift, It starts and runs like normal but it will not shift. The ETS light is on and I have no readout on my speddometer could this be a problem with the ECM
Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 3:38 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Have you taken it back to, or called the shop that changed your oil?
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Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 8:58 PM
Tiny
BLOODYCHUNKS
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Yes they claim that they did nothing wrong
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Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
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Sounds like it is a faulty speed sensor which is connected to your transmission. This sensor sends signals to both the transmission as well as the speedometer. Could have simply been a coincedence that this happened after oil change.
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Friday, October 31st, 2008 AT 10:59 PM
Tiny
BLOODYCHUNKS
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Could it also cause the ETS light to stay on

How much am I looking at in repair costs

And Thank you for the quick responses
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Saturday, November 1st, 2008 AT 9:08 AM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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Yes, it will cause the ETS light to come on. Just guessing, parts and labor may run $100 to $150, depending on where you have it done.
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Saturday, November 1st, 2008 AT 1:59 PM
Tiny
CARLFOLEY
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Had exactly the same issue after I had the serpentine belt changed at Valvolene. Wouldn't shift, no speedo. Took it to a AAMCO and they did a diagnositic for a few bucks and traced it to a loose wire around the speed sensor, probably pulled lose whilst the serpentine belt was changed, and my guess was that yours was similarly disturbed during the oil change.

Hope it similarly didn't cost you an arm and a leg in the end.
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Monday, December 1st, 2008 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
BLOODYCHUNKS
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It was the Speed sensor that was "unplugged", It set me back $90 for a diagnostic from the dealer
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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 3:57 AM
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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That was my diagnostic in my first post. Sorry you had to spend so much on such an easy fix.
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!
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Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008 AT 4:00 AM
Tiny
GITURDUNDADDY10
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
My cavalier rally sport has an (ets off) light and when it comes on the engine seems to bog down and die. I understand that the ets light has something to do with the tracktion system so why would it cause my motor to bog and stop? Also I had a test run and it said I needed a throttle position sensor so I bought one but I can't find where it goes can you help.

Thanks
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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TPS is on throttle body. It rotates in sync. With throttle body cam (where throttle cable connects) and is usually on opposite side of TB cam.

The ETS light will have to be scanned using a Chassis scanner, but the TPS error is probably disabling the ETS.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OLE_SSGT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 99 cavalier with auto transmission. When the car gets warm, it starts shifting hard and the ETS light comes on. I have replaced both oxygen sensors and the IAT Sensor with no luck. I had Advanced Auto check and there is no error code on the engine. Any ideas what I can try next?
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
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The transmission fluid and filter is the place to start since it has high miles. The ATF and filter need replaced
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OLE_SSGT
  • MEMBER
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Turns out I had a throttle position sensor and a MAP sensor that was bad. I was told that either one could cause the transmission to slam into gear.
Car is fixed.
Thanks
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUGCLARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
My car wont idel over 2500-3000 rpm. It will idel just fine, but wont get up 2 speed. Light on dash reads ets. Can u help
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Inspect and test all the following listed below and get back with some results

Oxygen sensor.
Catalytic converter.
Fuel injectors dirty/sticking.
Mass airflow sensor/Airflow meter.
Throttle position sensor.
Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
EGR Valve
Fuel pressure regulator leaking or defective fuel pump.
False air leakage.
Fuel contamination.
Foul/defective spark plugs.
Open spark plug wires.
Ignition coil/Coil packs defective.
Incorrect ignition timing.
Cap and rotor.

Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:31 AM (Merged)

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