Check Engine Light a Scam

[Thomas Merton]

I own two Ford Motor Company vehicles, a 2005 Ranger truck and a 96 Fleetwood Class C RV. Both, at about 40,000 miles, had the light go on for no apparent reason. Both ran well, no funny noises.

I can change my own oil, but thats about it. So I took both in for a "diagnostic" and both times was charged $100 for said service. For one it was an O2 sensor and the other had to do with a sensor in the evaporation system. I've done nothing, the light will come and go and both vehicles run fine 20,000 miles later.

Taking a car to the shop is a real bend over and take it situation. Anyone ever have the light actually tip them off to serious transmission problems?

[Tenbatsuzen]

I own two Ford Motor Company vehicles, a 2005 Ranger truck and a 96 Fleetwood Class C RV. Both, at about 40,000 miles, had the light go on for no apparent reason. Both ran well, no funny noises.

I can change my own oil, but thats about it. So I took both in for a "diagnostic" and both times was charged $100 for said service. For one it was an O2 sensor and the other had to do with a sensor in the evaporation system. I've done nothing, the light will come and go and both vehicles run fine 20,000 miles later.

Taking a car to the shop is a real bend over and take it situation. Anyone ever have the light actually tip them off to serious transmission problems?

I had a Ford Explorer and had it go off for a thermostat. So it does go off for legit reasons.

I believe there's something you can buy at pepboys to do the scan and get the codes yourself.

[Gvac]

Fords are notorious for vacuum leaks. If the diagnostic didn't detect it, odds are the problem was something ridiculous like your gas cap not being tightened all the way.

Seriously.

That will cause the "check engine" light to come on and depending upon how scrupulous your dealership or mechanic is, they'll charge you a small fortune for turning the cap an extra quarter of an inch.

[GFunk]

I have a 2000 Civic and just 2 weeks ago had my light come on - took it in and it was the O2 sensor as well...

[JPMNICK]

O2 senspr fucks with emmisions. you would fail inspection from that, so it is not a bullshit reason for the light to come on.

it is bullshit when it comes on from a gas cap not being tightened properly

[PapaBear]

First time mine went off I got the free test at Autozone. It narrowed it down to a rich fuel mixture but it couldn't pinpoint it exactly. I ran for a while until the car started getting REALLY sluggish. I was almost killed several times while pulling into intersections. I finally found out it was the mass air flow sensor. I paid 70 bucks for it and installed it myself. The car worked great after that, and the light went off.

It's back on again. The free test says the same thing... rich fuel. It's running fine, but I'm going to get a more thorough check soon. Rich fuel can wreak havoc on an engine over time.

[Marc with a c]

just take it to jiffy lube

[PapaBear]

just take it to jiffy lube
It's funny, because it's topical.

[weekapaugjz]

i had a check engine light come on last week and i was getting power surges when it was shifting gears so i thought it was the transmission and didn't want to fuck around with it being that. charged me $80 for diagnostics but turned out it wasn't the transmission and just needed a front engine cleaning for another $70. im just glad it wasn't the transmission cause that could have been costly.

[Fez4PrezN2008]

... Rich fuel can wreak havoc on an engine over time.
Yes, but... Fuel companies getting rich wreak havoc on me over time.

[PapaBear]

Yes, but... Fuel companies getting rich wreak havoc on me over time.
Even more reason to not want your fuel to run rich.

[HBox]

Even more reason to not want your fuel to run rich.

Enough with this fuel class warfare!

[Bob Impact]

Fords are notorious for vacuum leaks. If the diagnostic didn't detect it, odds are the problem was something ridiculous like your gas cap not being tightened all the way.

Seriously.

That will cause the "check engine" light to come on and depending upon how scrupulous your dealership or mechanic is, they'll charge you a small fortune for turning the cap an extra quarter of an inch.

Let me play devil's advocate for a moment here...

A vehicle is the result of thousands of engineers life's work over the course of more than a hundred years. It is an efficient machine that contains parts that must operate within tolerances of hundredths of an inch. You may buy this wonderful creation, but there's one catch, you, the guy who calls a Phillips head screwdriver "The Plus One" have to maintain it.

So, the manufacturer gives you a manual, it's got ALL the information you could need about this car, do you read it? NOOOOOOO! So they start to say, let's just make it easy, we'll give em a little light that comes on whenever there's a problem. That was OBD I. Then around 96 they realized that people ignored the little light (which at that time only came on when there was a big problem). So OBD II came around, which is the forbearer to the constant lights we have today. My new car has a fucking light that tells me to bring it in for service! You've gotta be fucking kidding me!

Gvac is right here. That is why the check engine light comes on when you run the car with the gas cap off, imagine that, some engineers had to actually think of the fact that they needed to PRINT ON THE FUCKING GAS CAP THAT IT NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED ALL THE WAY! Why is anyone NOT putting their gas cap on? Because they don't bother to learn about this amazing machine they take for granted.

As far as mechanics charging to do diagnostics, they should, and they should hammer you for stupid problems, and charge fairly for actual problems. You have a responsibility to maintain that vehicle, if you choose not to, you have to pay, deal with it. I've dealt with cars for 7 years now, and there is NO limit to the asinine things you people will do to them and attempt to have someone else fix, and then you have the gall to complain about the pricing? Complain to my bad back and my headache.

[El Mudo]

O2 senspr fucks with emmisions. you would fail inspection from that, so it is not a bullshit reason for the light to come on.

it is bullshit when it comes on from a gas cap not being tightened properly


That happened to me....well...that was partly it, but i also had a loose hose that was found and taken care of


So i would say even though 90% of the time it turns out to be a sensor, better to err on the side of caution i guess....

[sailor]

the guy who calls a Phillips head screwdriver "The Plus One" have to maintain it.

there is NO limit to the asinine things you people will do to them and attempt to have someone else fix

it took me a minute to figure out "the plus one" but that's freakin' hilarious! but what's with this "you people" thing? what's that supposed to mean? :)

[Bob Impact]

it took me a minute to figure out "the plus one" but that's freakin' hilarious! but what's with this "you people" thing? what's that supposed to mean? :)

I dunno, I was cranky.

[sailor]

I dunno, I was cranky.

i'd go with uppity.

[Don Stugots]

Nasty is better.

[Bob Impact]

i'd go with uppity.

Nasty is better.

ALL RIGHT!

Night boys.

[Don Stugots]

good he went to bed.


THE CHECK ENGINE DOESNT MEAN SHIT!

[sailor]

ALL RIGHT!

Night boys.

good night, mr impact.

[sailor]

good he went to bed.


THE CHECK ENGINE DOESNT MEAN SHIT!

hahaha

[Gvac]

Check Engine light is a joke!


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s109/GregRotten/PublicEnemy.jpg

[techteach_1]

Let me play devil's advocate for a moment here...

A vehicle is the result of thousands of engineers life's work over the course of more than a hundred years. It is an efficient machine that contains parts that must operate within tolerances of hundredths of an inch. You may buy this wonderful creation, but there's one catch, you, the guy who calls a Phillips head screwdriver "The Plus One" have to maintain it.

So, the manufacturer gives you a manual, it's got ALL the information you could need about this car, do you read it? NOOOOOOO! So they start to say, let's just make it easy, we'll give em a little light that comes on whenever there's a problem. That was OBD I. Then around 96 they realized that people ignored the little light (which at that time only came on when there was a big problem). So OBD II came around, which is the forbearer to the constant lights we have today. My new car has a fucking light that tells me to bring it in for service! You've gotta be fucking kidding me!

Gvac is right here. That is why the check engine light comes on when you run the car with the gas cap off, imagine that, some engineers had to actually think of the fact that they needed to PRINT ON THE FUCKING GAS CAP THAT IT NEEDS TO BE TIGHTENED ALL THE WAY! Why is anyone NOT putting their gas cap on? Because they don't bother to learn about this amazing machine they take for granted.

As far as mechanics charging to do diagnostics, they should, and they should hammer you for stupid problems, and charge fairly for actual problems. You have a responsibility to maintain that vehicle, if you choose not to, you have to pay, deal with it. I've dealt with cars for 7 years now, and there is NO limit to the asinine things you people will do to them and attempt to have someone else fix, and then you have the gall to complain about the pricing? Complain to my bad back and my headache.

I teach this shit for a living. Emissions are monitored so closely these days (esp Calif) that if you fart at the wrong time, your SES or CE light comes on. It's not a scam it's your gov't at work. EPA regulations. Some '03 on up vehicles actually have a 'Gas Cap Loose' warning light! Bottom line is, find a tech or shop you can trust. That will take care of everything.

PS Ford evap problems can be a nightmare. Probably a 'P04xx' code.

[cougarjake13]

I own two Ford Motor Company vehicles, a 2005 Ranger truck and a 96 Fleetwood Class C RV. Both, at about 40,000 miles, had the light go on for no apparent reason. Both ran well, no funny noises.

I can change my own oil, but thats about it. So I took both in for a "diagnostic" and both times was charged $100 for said service. For one it was an O2 sensor and the other had to do with a sensor in the evaporation system. I've done nothing, the light will come and go and both vehicles run fine 20,000 miles later.

Taking a car to the shop is a real bend over and take it situation. Anyone ever have the light actually tip them off to serious transmission problems?

i've got a mercury cougar and same as you for no reason it seemed to come on

turned out to be the 02 sensor as well

but other than that nothing serious

[nevnut]

Bottom line is, find a tech or shop you can trust. That will take care of everything.

PS Ford evap problems can be a nightmare. Probably a 'P04xx' code.

Very true. The mechanic I use usually doesn't charge for reading and resetting my codes in my Chevy.

It also has an evap problem and he said I could spend about $350 to fix basicly a light or just live with it because it does nothing to performance or gas mileage. We don't have emission checks out here in the sticks so that isn't a problem either.

A blinking light is suppose to be more serious, so I would definitely have that checked out.

[LordJezo]

Why not just buy your own code reader? Every car since 1996 has been built with a simple to use plug in port somewhere near the steering wheel.

Just Google or eBay an OBD2 reader and you'll be able to pick on up for less than $25.

They all do the same basic thing. (http://search.ebay.com/obd-ii-reader_W0QQfasiZ1QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQmaxrec ordsreturnedZ300QQsascsZ2QQsbrbinZtQQsbrsrtZd) (eBay link)

Or if you don't want to spend the cash up front, do what others have said, just go to Autozone. They will read the code for free and turn off the Check Engine light for you.

[TjM]

i had a check engine light come on last week and i was getting power surges when it was shifting gears so i thought it was the transmission and didn't want to fuck around with it being that. charged me $80 for diagnostics but turned out it wasn't the transmission and just needed a front engine cleaning for another $70. im just glad it wasn't the transmission cause that could have been costly.


Could be a speed sensor too (Shifting randomly) Its about 300 installed

[Bellyfullasnot]

I don't know about it being a scam, but the check engine light screwed me today! The wife's car needed an inspection so of course, today was the day that the light decided to Fuck with me. Evil light, stupid emissions. The light was on a week ago, we replaced the fuel cap and drove it for a week with no light. Now I've wasted my time (and the mechanics). I can't even get it inspected today because it needs to reset and clear for a certain amount of time. EVIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.

[Freakshow]

Here in Maryland a check engine light will cause a car to fail emissions. They don't even do any of the tests--check engine = fail. The first test I failed cause it was on (just went on that day). I waited a month, went when it was off--passed no problem. It's kinda bullshit that it will cause you to fail just because your car is check engine light happy.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

i've got a mercury cougar and same as you for no reason it seemed to come on

turned out to be the 02 sensor as well

but other than that nothing serious


it all makes sense with your Board Name now mercurycougarjake. As far Cars, am a Jew, I Have my Catholic Blue Collar Friends look at my car beofre sending it to the Shop.

:king:

[FUNKMAN]

this 'maintenance' light in my Camry came on. i checked the manual and it had something to do with 'changing' the oil. the oil was new and the level was good so i pushed the sequence of buttons to make it go out. But I can see some people not checking the manual, panicking, and heading off to the shop.

i had an 88 Cougar and I think it was every 30K where and indicator came on to get service. That's when I learned to check the manual

[Thomas Merton]

Why not just buy your own code reader? Every car since 1996 has been built with a simple to use plug in port somewhere near the steering wheel.

Just Google or eBay an OBD2 reader and you'll be able to pick on up for less than $25.

They all do the same basic thing. (http://search.ebay.com/obd-ii-reader_W0QQfasiZ1QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQmaxrec ordsreturnedZ300QQsascsZ2QQsbrbinZtQQsbrsrtZd) (eBay link)

Or if you don't want to spend the cash up front, do what others have said, just go to Autozone. They will read the code for free and turn off the Check Engine light for you.


Lord, I kiss you! This is why I love this board, a combo of info and funny! An OBD2 it is

[Bellyfullasnot]

Mechanic found a crack/hole in a vacumn line. I still can't get the car passed today, but @ least I know the problem. Maybe I was harsh on the check engine light. That's what happens when you work all night and stay awake just to drop off a car.

[FUNKMAN]

Mechanic found a crack/hole in a vacumn line. I still can't get the car passed today, but @ least I know the problem. Maybe I was harsh on the check engine light. That's what happens when you work all night and stay awake just to drop off a car.


know what you mean but with regard to the street cleaner. when I lived and worked midnights in Jersey City you got home at 8 sometimes dead tired, maybe even worked a double shift and you couldn't find a space on the 'non street cleaning' side of the street and they come between 10:30 and noon or something like that. sometimes you just said 'fuck it" so you can get to sleep and took the 20 dollar ticket but i hated like hell giving away money...

[furie]

I own two Ford Motor Company vehicles, a 2005 Ranger truck and a 96 Fleetwood Class C RV. Both, at about 40,000 miles, had the light go on for no apparent reason. Both ran well, no funny noises.

I can change my own oil, but thats about it. So I took both in for a "diagnostic" and both times was charged $100 for said service. For one it was an O2 sensor and the other had to do with a sensor in the evaporation system. I've done nothing, the light will come and go and both vehicles run fine 20,000 miles later.

Taking a car to the shop is a real bend over and take it situation. Anyone ever have the light actually tip them off to serious transmission problems?


yes actually. the CE light came on in my VW Jetta last month, the trasmission started shifting hard. I had to get a whole new transmission.

[PapaBear]

Why not just buy your own code reader? Every car since 1996 has been built with a simple to use plug in port somewhere near the steering wheel.

Just Google or eBay an OBD2 reader and you'll be able to pick on up for less than $25.

They all do the same basic thing. (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=2304737&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%2Fobd-ii-reader_W0QQfasiZ1QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ3QQmaxrec ordsreturnedZ300QQsascsZ2QQsbrbinZtQQsbrsrtZd) (eBay link)

Or if you don't want to spend the cash up front, do what others have said, just go to Autozone. They will read the code for free and turn off the Check Engine light for you.
Keep in mind, these things don't always track the specific problem down. Like what the Autozone test did for me... it said my fuel was rich, but it didn't say why. I could be one of several things.

[ScottFromGA]

I had a Ford Explorer and had it go off for a thermostat. So it does go off for legit reasons.

I believe there's something you can buy at pepboys to do the scan and get the codes yourself.

fortunately for me, my father is an ASE mechanic and I work for a Chevrolet dealership.....I have NOTHING to worry about when it comes to vehicles.