The dealer called me this morning and said they didn't find anything wrong but it could be the oxygen sensor. They resetted the ECU and I brought the car home and that was that.

Here's the part that's bothering me. I started the car again and guess what.....the light came back on!

The dealer charged me $35.02 just to reset the ECU and that didn't help it.

Does that mean there's a problem with the car since the light came back on?

Thanks

 

The reason the light came back on is because whatever code the computer is getting, it is "Two trip logic detection" meaning after you drove it and the car got up to operating temperature it got a code and stored it but did not illuminate the light. After your second trip (usually after engine has cooled and then restarted and ran to operating temp.) it received the code again and this time the light came on. The dealer had to have been FOS to not have picked up a code. To find out for yourself first find the computer which is inboard of the accelerator and behind the stereo/ashtray. Pull of the panel to the left of the gas which has 2 buttons/fastners that may break when you pull on them. Locate the screw that is on the computer towards what would be the front of the car. Turn your key (ignition) to the on position but DO NOT start your car. Check engine light should be on. Insert a screw driver in the screw access on the LH side of your computer and turn it fully clockwise and wait at least 2 seconds. Now turn it fully counterclockwise and watch your check engine light. Keep track of the number of "long blinks" and then the number of "short blinks". Write these down and post them and we will help you out. By the way to end the procedure just turn off your ignition. Good luck!!

 

Thanks for the tip. I'm afraid I can't do it right now because my mom is borrowing it for now.

I forgot mention one thing in my first post. The service guy said something about a "ghost code". What is it?

 

unless they mean code 55 which is a "no failure code" then I,m not to sure what it could be. Check it out later and let us know.

 

Of course it didn't help. The dealer didn't fix anything. Resetting the Check Engine Light without fixing anything is like replacing a blown fuse without fixing the problem which caused the fuse to blow. It is masking the symptom, temporarily.

Yes. That's the purpose of the Check Engine Light. It tells you there is a problem.

I hesitate to criticize a dealer's service department without hearing their side of the story... but it sounds as if they aren't trying very hard.

David Haywood gave you good advice in his posts. Please follow up.

I'm not familiar with that term. I'd guess he was referring to one which appears and vanishes spontaneously. If you speak to him again, ask for a specific explanation.

 

I called the dealer again. The guy was like, "Hold on, let me speak to the technician. I'll call you back in a few minutes." I waited an hour and no call. So I decided to call back. The guy was like "Oh yeah, let me go check." He came back and said to drop off the car tomorrow morning so they can hook it up to a computer.

You're right they didn't try hard at all. I dropped of the car on Friday and I knew they either checked it on Friday or Saturday and they didn't bother to give me a call until today.

My mom is at the point where she's looking at Accords and Camrys now.

 

Because of the check engine light??? Man, some people get really upset when <i>anything</i> goes wrong with cars.

 

Not just the engine light. We also had problems with the timing chain/tensioner and the idle valve. My parents are just sick of bringing the car to the dealer. The car runs great no doubt but it has given us a few problems.