Another dumb car maintenance question - Page 4

Cloud · 06-10-2008, 11:13 AM

Well then, I apologize. It seemed like it might have been a facetious question.

BigV · 06-10-2008, 11:20 AM

No, sorry. I was referencing the topic of the thread. You posted the thread, it had exactly the reference I was looking for so I quoted it, crediting you. There was nothing at all facetious about my post. Credit where credit is due. I asked my own dumb car maintenance question.

Indeed, with the help of the others here, including you for creating the helpful place to post my question, I believe I'm well on my way to fixing this problem. I benefitted from a bit of conversation about the light and the code reader, etc etc. Now I have an appt with the clerk at Auto Zone after work. They still provide this service, no doubt hoping to sell the part indicated as defective, while I'm there in the parking lot. I would be happy to give them the business and solve the problem.

My immediate concern was how to interpret the inscrutable light. Now I have a plan. No jab at you Cloud, really. Ok?

Cloud · 06-10-2008, 11:21 AM

see apology above. Glad other people have dumb car questions!

Urbane Guerrilla · 06-10-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Quotha!*

* Look it up.

Or PM me.

BigV · 06-10-2008, 11:23 AM

Apology accepted.

It was never needed, but I accept it nonetheless.

Urbane Guerrilla · 06-10-2008, 11:24 AM

It's good to have a spare or two sometimes.

Cloud · 06-10-2008, 11:26 AM

like money in the bank.

okay, well--not really.

but, still!

Clodfobble · 06-10-2008, 11:51 AM

How come everyone else's check engine light is always some false alarm? Every time mine comes on, the car is dead within a few days if I haven't already taken it in because of shuddering or other obvious accompanying symptoms. I'd like a false alarm once in awhile.

BrianR · 06-10-2008, 06:36 PM

it's not a false alarm. It usually means something in the emissions equipment is bad. Mine came on once for a vacuum leak. Some cars allow you to input a code via the ignition and the light will give up the code(s) by flashing. Online, Google OBD II diagnostic codes and you'll find the meaning, although it may or may not tell you what you need to know.

Primary culprits are gas caps, O2 sensors and vacuum leaks. Usually. The free diagnosis is a good thing, let them tell you the faults and if you can make sense of them, fix away. If not, I took mine to a mechanic friend in Cherry Hill (plug plug) at John's Car Care.

tw · 06-10-2008, 10:48 PM

So is this a forum for useless griping - or where the diagnostic code number results in useful replies; ie a list of potential suspects? Those diagnostic codes always report a failure. Even when the car still starts, the diagnostic code still reports a failure. When the mechanic says nothing is wrong, find a mechanic that knows how that car works. What is the code number?

classicman · 06-11-2008, 07:27 AM

thanks for the tailpost there T-dub. We already covered that, but as your sig says- - - "tw Read? I only know how to write." Truer words were never spoken.

tw · 06-11-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman

thanks for the tailpost there T-dub.

And the question was answered where? Oh. Another post from classicman that did not answer the question.

What were the diagnostic codes?

classicman · 06-11-2008, 09:01 AM

I gave the same advice or direction to assess the issue, not the answer. That, of course, can only be derived from the source - the vehicles on-board computer.

Cloud · 06-11-2008, 09:07 AM

we have a forum for useless groping? (looks around) well? where is it? (heads on over)

Shawnee123 · 06-11-2008, 09:08 AM

Isn't all groping useful, at least in some small way?

06-10-2008, 11:13 AM	#46
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	Well then, I apologize. It seemed like it might have been a facetious question. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!" Last edited by Cloud; 06-10-2008 at 11:20 AM.

06-10-2008, 11:20 AM	#47
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	No, sorry. I was referencing the topic of the thread. You posted the thread, it had exactly the reference I was looking for so I quoted it, crediting you. There was nothing at all facetious about my post. Credit where credit is due. I asked my own dumb car maintenance question. Indeed, with the help of the others here, including you for creating the helpful place to post my question, I believe I'm well on my way to fixing this problem. I benefitted from a bit of conversation about the light and the code reader, etc etc. Now I have an appt with the clerk at Auto Zone after work. They still provide this service, no doubt hoping to sell the part indicated as defective, while I'm there in the parking lot. I would be happy to give them the business and solve the problem. My immediate concern was how to interpret the inscrutable light. Now I have a plan. No jab at you Cloud, really. Ok? __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-10-2008, 11:21 AM	#48
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	see apology above. Glad other people have dumb car questions! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-10-2008, 11:23 AM	#50
BigV Goon Squad Leader Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 27,063	Apology accepted. It was never needed, but I accept it nonetheless. __________________ Be Just and Fear Not.

06-10-2008, 11:24 AM	#51
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	It's good to have a spare or two sometimes. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

06-10-2008, 11:26 AM	#52
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	like money in the bank. okay, well--not really. but, still! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-10-2008, 11:51 AM	#53
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	How come everyone else's check engine light is always some false alarm? Every time mine comes on, the car is dead within a few days if I haven't already taken it in because of shuddering or other obvious accompanying symptoms. I'd like a false alarm once in awhile.

06-10-2008, 06:36 PM	#54
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	it's not a false alarm. It usually means something in the emissions equipment is bad. Mine came on once for a vacuum leak. Some cars allow you to input a code via the ignition and the light will give up the code(s) by flashing. Online, Google OBD II diagnostic codes and you'll find the meaning, although it may or may not tell you what you need to know. Primary culprits are gas caps, O2 sensors and vacuum leaks. Usually. The free diagnosis is a good thing, let them tell you the faults and if you can make sense of them, fix away. If not, I took mine to a mechanic friend in Cherry Hill (plug plug) at John's Car Care. __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

06-10-2008, 10:48 PM	#55
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	So is this a forum for useless griping - or where the diagnostic code number results in useful replies; ie a list of potential suspects? Those diagnostic codes always report a failure. Even when the car still starts, the diagnostic code still reports a failure. When the mechanic says nothing is wrong, find a mechanic that knows how that car works. What is the code number?

06-11-2008, 07:27 AM	#56
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	thanks for the tailpost there T-dub. We already covered that, but as your sig says- - - "tw Read? I only know how to write." Truer words were never spoken. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

06-11-2008, 09:01 AM	#58
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	I gave the same advice or direction to assess the issue, not the answer. That, of course, can only be derived from the source - the vehicles on-board computer. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

06-11-2008, 09:07 AM	#59
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	we have a forum for useless groping? (looks around) well? where is it? (heads on over) __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-11-2008, 09:08 AM	#60
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Isn't all groping useful, at least in some small way? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

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