As a car owner, there are few things more frustrating than a car that won’t start. And when that car is a Chevy Equinox, the frustration can quickly turn into a nightmare. In this article, we’re going to tell the tale of one such nightmare, full of tears, laughter, and a lot of engine trouble. If you’re a Chevy Equinox owner, you’ll definitely want to keep reading.
A Brief History of the Chevy Equinox
Before we dive into the tale of woe, let’s take a quick look at the Chevy Equinox. This compact SUV first hit the market in 2005, and it quickly became a popular choice for car buyers who wanted something versatile and practical. Over the years, the Equinox has undergone several changes and upgrades, but it has remained a popular choice for families, commuters, and anyone who needs a reliable vehicle.
The Beginning of the End
Our story begins with a knock on the door. It was our neighbor, Mr. Johnson. “Hey, your car is making a strange noise,” he said. “I think you should get it checked out.” We thanked him for the heads up and went outside to take a look.
Sure enough, the engine was making a strange ticking noise. It sounded like something was loose, so we took it to the mechanic. “Hey, I’m having issues with my car,” we told him. “It’s making a weird noise. Can you take a look?” The mechanic checked it out and diagnosed the problem as a faulty oil control valve. Nothing too serious, he said, but it would need to be replaced. We agreed to have the work done and went on our way.
The Second Coming
A few weeks later, the car started acting up again. This time, the check engine light came on. “What the hell?” we muttered as we pulled over to the side of the road. We did a quick internet search and found out that the code was P0014. After a bit of research, we discovered that P0014 is a common problem with Chevy Equinoxes—it means there’s an issue with the camshaft position sensor.
We took the car back to the mechanic, and he confirmed our suspicions. “Yep, it’s the camshaft position sensor,” he said. “It’s a common problem with these cars. We’ll have to replace it.” We sighed and agreed to have the work done.
The Sounds of Silence
After the camshaft position sensor was fixed, we thought everything was good to go. But just a few days later, the car wouldn’t start. We turned the key, and…nothing. The engine was completely silent. “What the actual f,” we muttered, our frustration levels at an all-time high. We knew we had to take the car back to the mechanic once again.
This time, we discovered that the battery had died. “How could the battery die so quickly?” we asked the mechanic. “Well, we tested it when we had the car in last time, and it seemed fine,” he said. “But sometimes these things just happen.” We shook our heads in disbelief and had the battery replaced.
The Final Countdown
The car seemed to be running smoothly again—for a little while, anyway. But then, about a week later, it started making that familiar ticking sound again. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” we groaned. “This is getting ridiculous.“
We didn’t even bother taking the car back to the mechanic this time. Instead, we did some research and discovered that the oil control valve that had already been replaced was probably faulty. We had it replaced once again, and finally, the car seemed to be running properly.
Lessons Learned
If you’re a Chevy Equinox owner, you might be wondering what you can learn from our tale of woe. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Tip #1: Don’t Ignore Strange Noises
As soon as you hear a strange noise coming from your car, get it checked out. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.
Tip #2: Research Common Problems
Knowing the common problems with your car can save you time, money, and frustration. If you have a Chevy Equinox, be aware of the camshaft position sensor issue and the faulty oil control valve.
Tip #3: Find a Trustworthy Mechanic
A good mechanic who knows your car inside and out can make all the difference. Ask for recommendations from friends or family members, and read reviews online.
Chevy Equinox Problems: A Helpful Table
To help you keep track of the common problems with the Chevy Equinox, we’ve created a helpful table.
| Common Problem | Symptoms | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Camshaft position sensor issue | Check engine light, rough idling, stalling | $200-$400 |
| Faulty oil control valve | Ticking noise, low oil pressure | $300-$500 |
| Dead battery | Engine won’t start | $50-$300 |
Chevy Equinox Repair: A List of DIY Fixes
Of course, not all car problems require a trip to the mechanic. Here are a few DIY fixes you can try for common Chevy Equinox issues:
- If your car won’t start, check the battery connections and replace the battery if necessary.
- If you hear a ticking noise, check the oil level and replace the oil control valve if needed.
- If your check engine light comes on, check the camshaft position sensor and replace it if necessary.
Conclusion
In the end, our Chevy Equinox tale of woe had a happy ending. We found a trustworthy mechanic who was able to diagnose and fix our car problems, and we learned a lot about how to handle car troubles in the future. If you’re a Chevy Equinox owner going through a similar experience, we hope this article has been helpful. Just remember—no matter how frustrating car troubles may be, there’s always a solution.
References:
- “Chevrolet Equinox.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 11 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Equinox.
- “P0014 Code: ‘B’ Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance Bank 1.” OBD-Codes.com, obd-codes.com/p0014.
- “The Complete Guide to Chevy Equinox Problems (2005-2021).” MotorBiscuit, motorbiscuit.com/the-complete-guide-to-chevy-equinox-problems/.