Anyone else had this fuel system problem?
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Anyone else had this fuel system problem?
I bought my car a year ago and I absolutely love it except for a chronic check-engine light. I have now taken it to two different mechanics a total of 10 times and am starting to feel cursed.
Here are the symptoms:
-check engine light comes on
-dash gauges momentarily quit working
-gas pump clicks off after filling only a little bit
There has been some confusion about whether this is one problem or three.
Long story short: Mechanic #1 replaced the solenoid purge valve. Mechanic #2 diagnosed a bad ground wire pin under the dash and fixed it. Mechanic #2 also cleaned a dirty filter in the gas tank, which resolved the filling problem.
However, the check engine light is still on, and mechanic #2 says the purge solenoid valve needs to be replaced. When I told them mechanic #1 already replaced it six months ago, mechanic #2 says there must be a vacuum leak somewhere in the fuel system and it could take up to seven hours just to diagnose it.
Mechanic #2 is the dealer where I bought the car.
Has anyone else had a problem like this? I welcome any ideas. Thanks.
Here are the symptoms:
-check engine light comes on
-dash gauges momentarily quit working
-gas pump clicks off after filling only a little bit
There has been some confusion about whether this is one problem or three.
Long story short: Mechanic #1 replaced the solenoid purge valve. Mechanic #2 diagnosed a bad ground wire pin under the dash and fixed it. Mechanic #2 also cleaned a dirty filter in the gas tank, which resolved the filling problem.
However, the check engine light is still on, and mechanic #2 says the purge solenoid valve needs to be replaced. When I told them mechanic #1 already replaced it six months ago, mechanic #2 says there must be a vacuum leak somewhere in the fuel system and it could take up to seven hours just to diagnose it.
Mechanic #2 is the dealer where I bought the car.
Has anyone else had a problem like this? I welcome any ideas. Thanks.
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I take it the silence is a big fat NO.
Well, since I started this topic, my gauges quit again and 20 or 30 miles later the whole car died. I had to have it towed 60 miles back to the dealer. It was a very expensive, nonproductive weekend.
Now they're saying the problem is a bad battery.
I am getting the distinct impression they don't have a clue what's wrong with it, but they'll just keep making up things and charging me $ till maybe we get lucky.
Well, since I started this topic, my gauges quit again and 20 or 30 miles later the whole car died. I had to have it towed 60 miles back to the dealer. It was a very expensive, nonproductive weekend.
Now they're saying the problem is a bad battery.
I am getting the distinct impression they don't have a clue what's wrong with it, but they'll just keep making up things and charging me $ till maybe we get lucky.
After the 3rd dealer visit, get a lawyer, demand a new vehcile!
Does montana have a lemon law?
Here in CA, if you have a problem that that's been looked at and worked on 3 times and still hasn't gone away, the dealership must buy your car back at the price you paid for it. They usually give you a brand new one.
Your problem is absolutley RARE. I've never heard of any car doing something like this.
I would post this on NASIOC also. They have a much bigger base of people who browse the technical forums, and therefore, you might find someone who knows what is going on!
Also, do me a favor, and get underneath the steering wheel, under the dash, drivers side... Do you see a green plug that plugged together?
both ends, green, plugged together. If so, unplug them, and start your car, and see if your problems goes away.
<in case you are wondering, plugging those two plugs together puts the car into some sort of Diagnostic mode. They are supposed to be separate.>
-Gagam <just remember, green plugs!>
Does montana have a lemon law?
Here in CA, if you have a problem that that's been looked at and worked on 3 times and still hasn't gone away, the dealership must buy your car back at the price you paid for it. They usually give you a brand new one.
Your problem is absolutley RARE. I've never heard of any car doing something like this.
I would post this on NASIOC also. They have a much bigger base of people who browse the technical forums, and therefore, you might find someone who knows what is going on!
Also, do me a favor, and get underneath the steering wheel, under the dash, drivers side... Do you see a green plug that plugged together?
both ends, green, plugged together. If so, unplug them, and start your car, and see if your problems goes away.
<in case you are wondering, plugging those two plugs together puts the car into some sort of Diagnostic mode. They are supposed to be separate.>
-Gagam <just remember, green plugs!>
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I'm confused, what's the diff between i-Club and NASIOC? I had to re-register; maybe I'm in the wrong place?
Also, what's an ECU?
I'm not blonde, really, I'm not.
As far as I know, the car is stock, EXCEPT I've been told that there is an aftermarket security or remote start system under the dash, with a lot of extra wires.
It's a '98, I bought it used, so I don't think the lemon law applies? Besides, it took me six months to find this car, and I love it. Except when it doesn't work right.
Jolt, I will look for the green plug when I get my car back. I'm still driving a loaner and haven't heard anything from the mechanic since yesterday morning.
Ugh, car problems make me so crabby.
Also, what's an ECU?
I'm not blonde, really, I'm not.
As far as I know, the car is stock, EXCEPT I've been told that there is an aftermarket security or remote start system under the dash, with a lot of extra wires.
It's a '98, I bought it used, so I don't think the lemon law applies? Besides, it took me six months to find this car, and I love it. Except when it doesn't work right.
Jolt, I will look for the green plug when I get my car back. I'm still driving a loaner and haven't heard anything from the mechanic since yesterday morning.
Ugh, car problems make me so crabby.
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