Failed emissions due to reset check engine light

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sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
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It's possible you can have them fix this under the emission warranty as this is an emission part. Yes sometimes they're stubborn about getting their diagnostic fee in which in that case, ask them if they'll roll the diagnostic fee into the repair if it turns out to be caused by that problem. I don't know why you paid them $200 to give you a smog check.
Well I brought it in for the drive belt pulley recall. But I had mentioned my check engine light after replacing the o2 sensor. So the diagnostic was $99 and figures by the time I got to the place my light went off.

They did the diagnostic anyway and told me the code was for that replaced o2 sensor. They told me they could do the inspection and emissions for $35 but two of my driver side and rear bulbs were out so I would need those replaced for the safety inspection. I also needed alignment badly but I haven't had time to get that done messing with this issue for over a month.

The alignment was $89, the two or three bulbs were $70 since the side door bulb requires also removing and replacing the driver side headlight mini bulbs, the stickers for safety and emissions was $35 so they waived the diagnostic fee.

Otherwise I'd have to drive around without stickers and still have to figure out the sensor issue.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
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so much problem for a new car.

It's a simple problem. The REAL problem is how everybody handled this simple issue. Unfortunately it's not uncommon, had a similar problem with Toyota. I've never had good experience with dealerships resolving issues the first time around which may be intentional since it may encourage people to buy a new vehicle.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
It's a simple problem. The REAL problem is how everybody handled this simple issue. Unfortunately it's not uncommon, had a similar problem with Toyota. I've never had good experience with dealerships resolving issues the first time around which may be intentional since it may encourage people to buy a new vehicle.
Yea I agree. Had I bought a denso sensor from rock auto I would have had the same issue. I'll try another dealership to get my computer reflashed and if they won't agree I'll just try and trade it in. My company has discounts for Nissan and vw where I can get 3700 off msrp and the agreement is as long as I am a verified employee they have to sell the car to me for what the dealer paid to get it.

If I can get at least 8k for the car now I wouldn't mind doing that.
 

eng2d2

Golden Member
Nov 7, 2013
1,007
38
91
It's a simple problem. The REAL problem is how everybody handled this simple issue. Unfortunately it's not uncommon, had a similar problem with Toyota. I've never had good experience with dealerships resolving issues the first time around which may be intentional since it may encourage people to buy a new vehicle.

This is really good to know for reference. The cost is amazing just for 02 sensor. I have a 2010 toyota so far no problem. How frustrating for the OP going back and forth for one month plus cost. I dont think I can wait that long.
 

cabri

Diamond Member
Nov 3, 2012
3,616
1
81
Yea I agree. Had I bought a denso sensor from rock auto I would have had the same issue. I'll try another dealership to get my computer reflashed and if they won't agree I'll just try and trade it in. My company has discounts for Nissan and vw where I can get 3700 off msrp and the agreement is as long as I am a verified employee they have to sell the car to me for what the dealer paid to get it.

If I can get at least 8k for the car now I wouldn't mind doing that.

Recommend that you get the trade value established for your vehicle first before you bring up the company discounts as an employee. Otherwise, they will try to adjust the trade value down to make up the lost extra profit.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
Recommend that you get the trade value established for your vehicle first before you bring up the company discounts as an employee. Otherwise, they will try to adjust the trade value down to make up the lost extra profit.
Yea I'll have to clean the car up this weekend and get it appraised. Mitsubishi offered me 8k but I'm not sure if that was for another Mitsubishi or any of their other cars since that dealer has several makes available in that area.

Im using benefithub as my employee pricing search site so I'll have to ask around at work what people did since I know a few bought Nissans with that discount. I'm not sure what I prefer next as a car but I've grown out of sporty coupe types. As long as I can get a decent deal and keep a similar monthly payment I'll be good to go assuming I don't run into more mechanical issues.

To think about it say they refuse to reflash my computer the light will go off and on until next year then I'm left dealing with the same BS.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
It's possible you can have them fix this under the emission warranty as this is an emission part. Yes sometimes they're stubborn about getting their diagnostic fee in which in that case, ask them if they'll roll the diagnostic fee into the repair if it turns out to be caused by that problem. I don't know why you paid them $200 to give you a smog check.

I believe this vehicle is covered under emissions warranty including the o2 sensor.

They should refund the diagnostic fee if they repair the vehicle under the emissions warranty.
http://static.mitsubishicars.com/pd...ty/2014_pass_car_and_suv_booklet_complete.pdf

At the very least, this ECM reprogramming should be covered by the federal emission warranty.

Had you taken the damn car to the dealership soon as the light came on, EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC FEE.
I've had this light come on before and I printed out the federal emissions warranty and went to the same dealer. O2 sensors have an astriks in the booklet next to them and the astriks states these are covered if the the component they are attached to is bad. Meaning if the cat is bad then they are covered. But my car has 85500 miles on it and the federal emissions warranty for Mitsubishi goes up to 80k miles.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
I've had this light come on before and I printed out the federal emissions warranty and went to the same dealer. O2 sensors have an astriks in the booklet next to them and the astriks states these are covered if the the component they are attached to is bad. Meaning if the cat is bad then they are covered. But my car has 85500 miles on it and the federal emissions warranty for Mitsubishi goes up to 80k miles.

But you said the light came on at 65K miles, so the o2 sensors and diagnostics would have been covered since it happened before 70K miles. Also you not only have the Federal Emission warranty but also "california" since the vehicle is from Pennsylvania or at least the VIN indicates its a california car. If you have proof of visiting the dealership before 70K miles for this issue, then you can get the warranty done retroactively.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
But you said the light came on at 65K miles, so the o2 sensors and diagnostics would have been covered since it happened before 70K miles. Also you not only have the Federal Emission warranty but also "california" since the vehicle is from Pennsylvania or at least the VIN indicates its a california car. If you have proof of visiting the dealership before 70K miles for this issue, then you can get the warranty done retroactively.

I remember taking the car in to a dealer near my company, with that federal emissions warranty paperwork I printed out. They wanted to charge me a diagnostic fee and leave the car there which I could not do as I was there on my lunch break.

I was told that only the items marked with an * are covered under the increased 7/8 year 70,000/80,000 mile warranty. The rest of the stuff is 3 year 60k miles. They told me O2 sensors are part of maintenance.

Basically if any of the components on the top like the fuel injector, ECU, or Cats failed before 80k miles then the components connected to them would also be replaced/covered. Otherwise since the code as for the O2 sensor itself they were not willing to cover it. Light went off last year on its own and that is how I passed.

COVERED EMISSION PARTS
• Catalytic Converter(s)
• Electronic Spark Control
• Evaporative Emission Canister, Evaporative Emission
Liquid Separator and Controls
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve and Control System
• Fuel Tank Filler Tube and Cap
• Induction Control Valve Assembly
• Multiport Fuel Injection System
• Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve
• Timing Advance/Retard System
• Hoses, Clamps, Brackets, Pipes, Gaskets, Belts, Seals
and Connectors used in the above systems
• Vacuum, Temperature, Altitude, Speed and Time Sensitive Valves and Switches for the above systems
• Any other components necessary to assure conformity.
If failure of one of these components results in failure of
another part, both will be covered by the performance warranty




“CALIFORNIA” EMISSION WARRANTY
24
• Accelerator Position Sensor
• Air Flow Sensor
• Camshaft Position Sensor
• *Catalytic Converter(s)
• Crankshaft Position Sensor
• Emission Solenoid Valve
• Evaporative Emission Canister
• Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve and Control System
• *Exhaust Manifold(s)
• *Exhaust Manifold(s) with Catalytic Converter(s)
• *Exhaust Pipe(s) between Exhaust Manifold and Catalytic Converter
• *Exhaust Pipe(s) with Catalytic Converter(s)
• Fuel Filter/Evaporative Emission Separator
• Fuel Injectors
• Fuel Level and Fuel Pressure Sensors
• Fuel Pressure Regulator
• *Fuel Pump
• *Fuel Tank
• *Fuel Tank Filler Tube
• Fuel Tank Filler Cap
• Ignition Coil(s), High Voltage Wires and Boots
• Induction Control Valve Assembly
• *Intake Manifold
• Knock Sensor
• *Liner A/F Sensor
• MAP Sensor
• Oil Control Valve
• Oil Filler Cap
• *Onboard Emission Diagnostic Device
• Positive Crankcase Ventilation Valve
• Spark Plugs
• *Throttle Body
• *Transmission Control Module
• *Valve Lift Control Motor
• *Valve Lift Control Unit
• Valve Lift Sensor
• Control Relay, Registers and Solenoids used with the
above systems
• *Engine Control Module used with the above systems
• Oxygen Sensor(s) used with the above systems
• Temperature Sensors used with the above systems
• Vacuum Hoses, Clamps, Fittings and Tubing used with
the above components and systems
• Vacuum Sensor(s) used with the above systems
 
Last edited:

Subyman

Moderator <br> VC&G Forum
Mar 18, 2005
7,876
32
86
Last time I called this shop they hung on me as soon as I told them who I was and why I was calling.

Ouch. I'd say it might be time for the chargeback then. If they will no longer talk to you regarding the issue, then its on them. A good shop wouldn't wave someone off without fixing the problem they said they would fix, especially after taking money for the repairs.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
Regardless of all this shit. Had you taken it to the dealership, they very well could have just done an ECM update instead of wasting money on replacing the oxygen sensor. After all, nobody ever confirmed the o2 sensor was bad. If the dealership recommended installing a new o2 sensor DESPITE the TSB for the o2 sensor, you could have kept the old one just in case it turns out it does not resolve the issue.


I would have to hope that the dealership would be smart enough to see that they should have done an ECM upgrade instead of replacing the o2 sensor before updating the ECM as that's what the TSB says.....


Take it to the dealer, talk about the diagnostic fee and warranty repair work and whether or not your fees will be refunded if it's found to be warranty work... (since they're doing an ECM upgrade)

However due to the 85K miles, you might have to ask nicely or something to that effect, might be a "good will" repair even though software updates are basically free.
 

Wuzup101

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2002
2,334
37
91
It's possible you can have them fix this under the emission warranty as this is an emission part. Yes sometimes they're stubborn about getting their diagnostic fee in which in that case, ask them if they'll roll the diagnostic fee into the repair if it turns out to be caused by that problem. I don't know why you paid them $200 to give you a smog check.

I believe this vehicle is covered under emissions warranty including the o2 sensor.

They should refund the diagnostic fee if they repair the vehicle under the emissions warranty.
http://static.mitsubishicars.com/pd...ty/2014_pass_car_and_suv_booklet_complete.pdf

At the very least, this ECM reprogramming should be covered by the federal emission warranty.

Had you taken the damn car to the dealership soon as the light came on, EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, INCLUDING DIAGNOSTIC FEE.

That sensor is covered under the 5 year 60,000 mile warranty per the manual and your link. I believe he said it occurred at 65k and now has 80k on it. Note that only the things in the manual with an asterisk are subject to the extended 7 year and 8 year warranties (with additional mileage). Mitsu dealers don't knon TSBs from their asses. I think you pointed this out in another post, but you basically have to show up with some knowledge of the TSB / Recall and walk them through it.

OP: Food for thought, using ECUflash and a tactrix cable, you can tell the ECU on an Evo X to pass emissions. You can do this without even having a rear oxygen sensor in place.
All you have to do is apply the proper patches to your ROM. I'm willing to bet the ECU for the base lancer is pretty similar if not identical, but I own an X and am not familiar with the base lancer. I would venture to guess that you could probably find some supporting information on EvoM / EvoX. Tactrix cables are about $170 and do support flashing the lancer. You just need to find someone that knows what they are doing with the Lancer ECU or definitions. For what it's worth, if you do find enough information that you would want to undertake this, or you find someone that can provide you with an e-tune flash, I'm in Allentown and do have a Tactrix cable that you could borrow for a short time.
 
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sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
The shop hasn't called me back about the sensor replacement so I'm going to wait for them to get back to me before I try going to another dealer to persuade them to reprogram my ecu. If they never get back to me then that will be ridiculous and I'll have to file a complaint.

If I'm going to trade the car in later I'll have to pay the bill off anyway to clear up my credit.

I wonder if that tactrix cable could be used to reprogram the ecu to the required update for that tsb but I suppose only dealers have the software.
 

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
The shop hasn't called me back about the sensor replacement so I'm going to wait for them to get back to me before I try going to another dealer to persuade them to reprogram my ecu. If they never get back to me then that will be ridiculous and I'll have to file a complaint.

If I'm going to trade the car in later I'll have to pay the bill off anyway to clear up my credit.

I wonder if that tactrix cable could be used to reprogram the ecu to the required update for that tsb but I suppose only dealers have the software.

only dealers have the software. Does the shop you take your car to aware of the issue?

Just get the part # your shop installed the o2 sensor and confirm they installed it in the right spot. If they did everything right, then it's the ECM which it definitely is anyway.
 

sze5003

Lifer
Aug 18, 2012
14,319
682
126
only dealers have the software. Does the shop you take your car to aware of the issue?

Just get the part # your shop installed the o2 sensor and confirm they installed it in the right spot. If they did everything right, then it's the ECM which it definitely is anyway.
I have the part number on the invoice which is in the car but their part numbers seem different than what you would find online. Truncated or something or their system prints them differently on their PC.

I'm not sure if they are fully aware of the issue but if they had given me the tsb paperwork to take to the dealer it could have helped. I have that PDF now thanks to you.