Get This (car update)

[Jimsbbc]

What i don't understand is that when the check engine light comes on it stores a code in the car's computer for the specific component that failed. Why would they have to run a diagnostic several times to fix the same problem. Some shops assume the average person is ignorant and takes them for a ride. I know a shop that specializes in this.

I took my F150 to a shop to get a state inspection and when the guy put it on the lift he opened up the air bleed valve on a brake caliper to drain some fluid on the rim. Then he brought it down off the lift and pulled it around, showed me this fluid on the wheel and told me i needed a complete brake overhaul!!! I was so fucking pissed, I was beside myself. Some shops are dishonest.

Sorry to hear about your experience, good luck on getting it fixed Velvett.

 

[velvett]

just out of curiosity - and I haven't read everything on this thread, but perhaps it has been said already...

1) do you pump your own gas?

if yes:

2) how many times do you turn the cover and how many clicks does it make?

yes


about 1 1/2 w/ three clicks



I know I know - if you con't close the gas cap properly the engine light goes off. No connection. I drove home with out re-filling to prove to the bitchy receptionist that she was wrong.

 

[HappyScrappy]

No crap! If that is the problem then I would still bitch....they need a separate light for that problem!

the check engine light in most cars is usually if it has fuel injection I think and if that system isn't working, then it gives a check engine light to show that there is an emissions issue - I personally agree that should be a different light than "check engine"

anyway, I'm just curious because it is a common thing for cars with fuel injectors to find a vapor leak in the gas system when it draws pressure on it - and the most common spot is the gas cap not being on tight enough or misthreaded.

the end result is the check engine light coming on after a bit of driving enough to cause the pressure drop

 

[velvett]

What i don't understand is that when the check engine light comes on it stores a code in the car's computer for the specific component that failed. Why would they have to run a diagnostic several times to fix the same problem. Some shops assume the average person is ignorant and takes them for a ride. I know a shop that specializes in this.

That was the reasoning for me calling my credit card company.
They agreed with me right away and did whatever it is they do.


Just think for $149 I could have bought one of those little computers.






(wow - have I done a lot of venting. sorry - I rarely get crazed - but I hate to be belittled or taken advantage of.)

 

[BronzedGoddess]

Sorry dear- I know what you are going through. I got into a pretty bad wreck when I was 17 and this shop supposedly fixed it, but they still had some other minor work to do, but I couldn't find them anymore so I let it go.....anyways 2 years later my friend wrecks my car on the same side and when the people at this other body shop open up the car they see that the other people DID NOT FIX ANYTHING on the inside. They just banged out the dents . it was like a tin can with holes in it. They stole over 8 thousand dollars from my insurance company and didn't care that they put my life in jeapardy. The insurance company went after them but I think they were long gone by then.
Hope all works out for you!

 

[BronzedGoddess]

Oh I have another story................ Just a few months ago my husband took his car in to the shop becuase he was having problems with the transmission.........anyways they told him it was the clutch so he paid 400 dollars (I believe) for a new clutch and the work. Well we get the car back and it stops on us again, he opens the hood and there are springs and gizmos attached to the clutch so he takes it back in and they tell him, oh you need a new transmission so we are pretty sure there was nothing wrong with the clutch. He then had to go buy a transmission but he made the shop put it in for free. They totally screwed us over!

 

[big4life]

Ms. V. sorry about your car.

That's why I told you that just because the light goes out doesn't mean it will stay off.

I know, I have a 99 Chevy truck that did the same thing for 2 weeks, within a couple months of me buying it. Turned out to be a defective computer and nothing wrong with the truck.


BTW. All those people in the shop I went to work on commission, even the mechanics.

 

[Fonz]

I would really consider getting any number of BMWs. I really like the M5, the 7 new 7 series (I'm one of the few that likes it), and the fastest X5. I've always liked the Z3 Coupe, M or not, and the new Z4 is cute, but the engine sucks ass (the first year out they always have shit all for power, but eventually they will add more to it like they did the Z3).

That said, I probably won't end up getting one because I'm really anal about ergonomics, and I personally just don't like the ergonomoics of BMWs that I have been in.
Hell, just the wiper activation on the M5 alone would drive me nuts.

The only case where I would be getting one of those anyway was if I had a big garage and multiple cars anyway, so we shall see.

I'm buying a silver Z3. Love that car.

Fonz

 

[2Thick]

2Thick -

It's not a lemon.
4 years 97k miles and I've never ever had a problem.

I only brought it in for new pads and rotors, a tune up and some new spark plugs. I should have been out the door perfectly serviced with parts, labor and tax for $1600 and change.

Oh, I was under the impression that it was brand new and you had only driven it 510 miles...LOL

 

[The Shadow]

must be that TOO F"N HOT tax of 900 bucks that women get charged