Originally posted by: Imaginer
Ok right the next day after my post, about 10 miles or so, the light went off. First thing I did was readjust the gas cap. (It was on as normal the last time I filled up.) and it went on the day before as I was on my way home from work.
However, I will keep the advices here in mind just in case. Should I still be worried?
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Just reading the code is NOT what they charge you for. Again, getting the code only tells you where to begin your diagnosis. There is no code that you get that automatically means "replace xxx part". What the dealer is charging you for is taking that code and doing the pinpoint tests necessary to tell you what is actually wrong with the vehicle.
Autozones and the like cannot do this. All they can do is read the code, and look up what it means. So if they get a code that means "Oxygen sensor reads rich", that does NOT automatically mean you need an oxygen sensor. If the sensor is reading rich, that might mean the car is actually running rich. Which the oxygen sensor can cause, but lots of other stuff can cause that, too. Maybe you'll get lucky and the sensor that is setting the code is actually the problem....maybe not.
Its like knowing what the symptom is but the symptom could be caused by anything related to said symptom. And you have to know how the mechanics work to generate the symptoms that does show up. Am I on a tangent with your post?
Yes. Certain cars are bad about getting a code that tells you "EGR has insufficient flow". So what the Autozone and lesser independent shop guys do is recommend either the EGR valve, EGR sensor, or both.
Neither of which, on said car, are the problem....the problem is, it actually DOES have insufficient or even no flow. The ports clog up. Dealership techs and sharp independents will know this, and recommend the appropriate repair.
Parts boys and less-competent independents will start off with the basics...sell the sensor, valve, and recommend tune up, injector flush, etc. And while you're at it, when's the last time you flushed your tranny? And so on.
The right way to do this, and a honest and competent mechanic will do it, is first recommend the repair that's actually going to fix the problem it was in service for. Then you can recommend any needed maintenance or other repairs that might need to be done.
So can you simply get the code, replace whatever sensor triggers that code, and actually fix your car? Sometimes. But that's more blind luck than anything else.
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