2002 Chevy Malibu check engine light

I do not have that kind of vehicle, but it is a transmission code that triggers your engine light to go on and off almost intermittently like the code 1680 on my truck. It can go off eventually if it doesn't see the problem again, for three startups and cycles I believe, but the code will still be stored in the ECM even if you clear the code (may fail inspection). I had to drive my truck for over a half hour, making sure I did several things such as decelerate at a certain speed or rate, stay a certain speed for so long, each time achieving one more goal making sure the truck did not trigger any more codes.

For you, the code is triggered, then it does not happen again for a period of time until the symptom pops up again. My guess is that it will eventually come back and stay on.

In my case I had to check that also, (TCC Solenoid) as well as others. While the car was hot, I had to pull off the harness and check the resistance of that circuit to see if it fell within a certain range.

If it is electrical, (you can change the TCC Sol) then a fix is simple, although you never really want to change transmission fluid if you haven't been all along or it hasn't been changed in a long time. It may be a short or just a problem with the TCC itself.

Sometimes if all your Elec. systems check out, it may be a physical or mechanical problem within your transmission, but you have to test the TCC first, etc.

Was it a hard shift at one point by the way ?

The torque converter clutch solenoid has probably been sticking off and on. That will cause the other codes. The cheapest way to solve this is do a transmission service and see if the TCC solenoid is easy to change while the transmission pan is off (it usually is). Change the TCC solenoid, transmission filter and fluid. That should fix this problem.

No hard shifts ever, just the intermittent check engine light. I don't have ramps or a lift to check the TCC in my driveway, so I will need to take it somewhere.

If you purchase a quartet of 2x6 boards, you can stack them one on top of the other, in pairs. Stagger the second board one foot behind the lower board. You should be able to drive up on the boards, and do the job yourself. This could save you more than $100. Good luck.

A place like aamco may be able to do a diagnostic on the tranny without taking it apart for a nominal fee or free. The TCC should be right under the pan as GunnyW said. Check the magnet in the pan also, to see how much particulate is attached to it to monitor the trans. wear also.

I have had several G.M. vehicles and typically when the check engine light comes on it means that the gas cap is loose. Simply unscrew the gas cap and retighten it until it clicks several times. It will usually take a day or two for the light to go out. Something about building up a vacuum inside the gas tank. If the light persists after several days then have your gas cap checked or replaced. Its probably not sealing and is leaking air into the gas tank.

hahahaha, riiiight....

Why do the auto manufacturers waste their time and money With OBD II, when the gas caps are the only problem?