Just bought a used car and check engine light came on same night.

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by gonyong, Jun 13, 2007.

  1. gonyong

    gonyong Guest

    Hello.
    My friend just bought a used car about 5 hours ago. And check engine
    light is on just now. He turned the engine off and on but it is still
    on. It just came out tonight. That vehicle was sold "as it is". is
    there any legal protection in this case? The problem occurs not even
    after a day. Everything has been happened in the same day.
    Please let me help him.

    2001 Hyundai Sonata. 148000 miles. Paid $3980 to dealer in cash.
    in Arkansas where we live.
     
    gonyong, Jun 13, 2007
    #1
  2. Did he stop to fill up the gas tank? If so, a loose gas cap or even
    overfilling trying to get in the last drop can set off the check engine
    light. It will go off by itself after some number of start/stop cycles. If
    that is the case, he should be sure not to fill past when the pump shuts off
    by itself (aside to round up a few pennies) and should be sure the cap
    clicks when tightened.

    As far as legal recourse, he can have a judge explain to him exactly what
    the term "as is" means.

    If the light does not go off itself after 15 or 209 cycles, he can have the
    code read at some auto stores for free, or a modest fee.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Jun 13, 2007
    #2
  3. gonyong

    Tom Guest

    He basically got screwed!!! The seller reset the code to make the light go
    off and it took long enough for the engine to go through a readiness check
    cycle for the light to come back on. There was a problem with the car when
    he bought it but 'as is' is 'as is'. :eek:( Your only recourse is to go back
    to the seller and punch him in the mouth, if it would make anyone feel
    better (while they sat in jail for assault).
    Your friend can always appeal to the seller and hope he has some scruples.

    Tom
     
    Tom, Jun 13, 2007
    #3
  4. While that's certainly possible, you have no way of knowing that. Ed's
    scenario is quite common and probably more likely.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Jun 18, 2007
    #4
  5. gonyong

    Guncho Guest

    Yeah my check engine light comes on all the time after filling up and
    goes off in a few days. I would at least give it a week and see if it
    goes off by itself before punching anyone.

    Chris
     
    Guncho, Jun 18, 2007
    #5
  6. PITA when that happens
    Solutions:
    Don't top off
    Tighten the cap at least 4 clicks
    New cap if it is more than a few years old.
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Jun 18, 2007
    #6
  7. gonyong

    Guncho Guest

    The problem with this car is the gas tank. I've had it replaced and
    it still only goes to 3/4 on the fuel guage. It's also troublesome
    when filling up as the auto cutoff happens so much that I don't really
    trust or believe it. If I trust the cutoff then I end up with 1/2 a
    tank of gas. If I ignore, it fills til it overflows and the light
    comes on.

    Chris
     
    Guncho, Jun 18, 2007
    #7
  8. It sounds like the vent line is plugged or kinked. Have you checked it?

    As for the gauge, it's possible that the fuel level sender is
    malfunctioning. I've had that happen on a couple of cars, including a
    Hyundai.
     
    Brian Nystrom, Jun 20, 2007
    #8
  9. gonyong

    Guncho Guest

    How do I check it?

    Chris
     
    Guncho, Jun 20, 2007
    #9
  10. gonyong

    EGONZO1212 Guest

    I have a 2002 Hyundai Sonata...I too had the check engine light came on, I
    took it to auto zone and they pulled the codes for me. P1154 and H02S
    ..The guy at the store asked if I was using lower octane gas, and for me to
    add higher octane gas, and a bottle of fuel injector cleaner, although I
    did this, the light hasn't turned off, It could also mean the 02 sensor is
    going bad and needs replacing but that is my car, I was pumping my gas and
    would just keep tryna fill it to the max and then some, that too might
    have set the light off! Take it to auto zone its free for them to pull out
    the codes!
     
    EGONZO1212, Jul 15, 2007
    #10

  11. It will not go off immediately, only after some number of start/drive/stop
    cycles.
    If you are using regular gas, you should not ned a higher octane.
    Yep
     
    Edwin Pawlowski, Jul 15, 2007
    #11
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