crossing fingers

United States
April 5, 2012 10:21am CST
Well the check engine light has been on forever (I posted a few months back about it). Well the plates are up on the car and we have to pass emissions testing in order to get our plates renewed. We're biting the bullet and took it to the dealership instead of fool'n around to find an independent mechanic. Hubby is convinced there's a recall on his car, he said the dealership even acknowledged there was one and that was one of the things the lil diagnostic gadget from the parts store said. So we are hoping that the repair of the item that's part of the recall is all it takes or atleast if anything knocks down the repair bills as there are up to 3 things wrong possibly. Keep your fingers crossed for us. Though we are the 2nd owner on the car I'm surprised the mfgr didn't notify us or maybe because we have not had any repairs done other than tires to his car? We didn't get that done at the dealership. But I need new tires for my van this year hopefully too. UG! It's never ending if it's not the kids, a vehicle, job or house somethings always happening.
1 person likes this
8 responses
• United States
6 Apr 12
What kind of car is it because I know quite a few cars that have had recalls on them. Also, if your car is over a certain age, then that can be a problem as well. I hope that the repair people can fix your car, but if not, then you might want to do some shopping around.
• United States
6 Apr 12
The thing is if it is really bad, do you still want to drive that car? That's the question. Honestly, I wouldn't. My niece has had two KIAs (Killed in Automobile for it's nickname), and she has gotten into two accidents with her KIA because they were both lemons. My step-dad, thankfully (because sometimes he's reluctant to help anyone) decided to get her a better because he didn't want her to drive anymore KIAs. Again, if it's that bad, then you don't want to drive something that isn't safe. That fact that it is an SUV already tells me that it's going to have problems. I know this because SUV are known for recalls and they are known being gas guzzlers. It makes me glad I drive a compact car. The most that I ever have to pay for gas is $40, if that, and the car repairs are not that bad. I could never afford an SUV.
• United States
6 Apr 12
It's an import, that's the hard part there aren't as many places you can take them. I also worry this will start hubby into trading again, if the repair is too much he'll trade it in which then will flip us into an even higher payment. He only got this car because he decided he couldn't afford $75 for 1/3 of a tank of gas in the SUV he had so he was able to be slid sideways and into something that the payment would be similar because of all the negative equity with all his trading.
1 person likes this
@maezee (42003)
• United States
5 Apr 12
I have used that gadget before! You just hook it up usually under your steering wheel, turn your key on, and let it run a diagnostic on your car. Sometimes it can be as simple as screwing your gas cap on tighter (I have done that in the past, it read off a Large scale Evap Emission code, and that's what it turned out to be). Although of course I am sure if it's been a few months that's not it. But essentially there is some kind of sensor/computer problem. You should find someone like an automechanic friend who can allow you to use their thing (I don't know what they are called, but I know exactly what you are talking about, my dad is a mechanic and we have used it before several times on my car). It could be anything though. If it's a re-called car, that basically means you can trade it for a different, non-faulty one? Not sure how that works. Anyway, best of luck to you. Hope the dealership figures things out for you. Cars are a total pain in the butt. I wish I could just bike everywhere. Imagine all that GREEN $$$ we would save! By the way, I do think it's cool your car has to go through tests before allowed on the road again. Are you in Canada or something? I am in the U.S.... And its amazing (amazingly scary that is) to imagine all the un-safe cars on the road, as we don't have to do these kinds of tests.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 12
That's what he used at the auto parts store to find out what was wrong with it when the check engine light kept coming on and eventually stayed on. No they don't let you trade it in, they repair the car for FREE. I wish they would, the suv they drove him home in was beautiful w/ all the bells and whistles. Sadly $$ and we are already paying enough from all his car flipping I don't need a bigger payment. Plus it's great on gas, I guess this may be the trade off. I don't know why some states don't require emissions tests. They don't really check if you vehicle is operational they check to see how much vapor and carbon it's emitting and that it's idling appropriatly. And with a check engine light on that's an automatic fail til you spend $500+ or something like that and then I think you can get a waiver. We have the testing in part too from all the pollution from Chicago and Indiana industry that blows up here to WI.
@GardenGerty (157049)
• United States
5 Apr 12
I know, hubby loves to own lots of old cars, and they all always need something. I will cross my fingers for you. Maybe it will just be the recall items need repaired.
• United States
6 Apr 12
I keep praying and hoping that's all it is. Otherwise if the light wasn't on and emission time wasn't here I wouldn't worry about it. It runs ok, not as much giddy-up feeling but running and driving ok otherwise
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
5 Apr 12
I'll keep my fingers crossed....I had something like that happen once to and turns out it was just a sensor.....so hopefully it won't be something expensive!
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 12
I think the thing on the recall is a sensor of some sort. But the lil diagnostic dealie from the auto parts place said there was 3 things wrong with it. Hubby bought the parts then couldn't figure out where they went and people online kept saying buy a book buy a book. *sigh*
@katsmeow1213 (28719)
• United States
5 Apr 12
It is strange you didn't get a notice about the recall. My FIL's van had a few recalls, and we had that van in our names for maybe a month before we scrapped it, and we're still getting notices on the recalls and other things. My van passed inspection today, 5 days late, but better than never, and at least I didn't get pulled over! So I can rest easy now.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 12
Nope no notices at all. I even looked online and I didn't see anything that looked like what he said was wrong with the car. I hope he's not bs'n me so I won't get as upset over the repairs. I think now that it's april and the stickers are up at the end of the month he gave up on trying to fix it himself. I'm hoping the recall is all that's wrong with it and nothing more.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
5 Apr 12
I think there is a money eating monster out there. You can't see it but anytime you think you will get ahead of the game and maybe even save a bit along comes the money eater, it's hugh mouth consumes any money that is not already in the mouth of all the other money eaters in your life. Hang in there.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 12
No lie! Same monster that is probably in cahoots with the sock monster and the one that hides things on you when you are looking for them but in plain sight when you are not. *sigh* Trying! I just want to be ahead for more than 5 minutes in life is that too much to ask?
@patgalca (18164)
• Orangeville, Ontario
5 Apr 12
We have received several recalls on our Ford Windstar - about 4 or 5. We bought the vehicle brand new in 2002. It's a little old but we are still getting recall notices all these years later. When my husband took it in a couple of weeks ago for the latest recall he had to get them to change the motor on the windshield wipers. They stopped working while driving in a major downpour. The rear wiper hasn't worked for quite awhile but with the front wipers costing over $300 to fix we didn't bother with the rear wiper. I'll tell you this much, I will never buy another Ford.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Apr 12
My hubby had a focus when they first came out and his fuel inector went on less than 10k on it and under a year old. He was livid that such a repair was needed. Though we had an expedition for a short time with all the bells and whistles on it, he got a great deal on it used however the gas got to be way too much so he traded it in... but never had a problem with it the under a year we had it... just gave us more negative equity.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Apr 12
It really does seem like one thing after another sometimes. Car trouble is the worst too. It seems like once one thing messes up on them that every time you turn around, it is another something. Super expensive too. I hope that the issues are covered under a recall. At least one of them. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you. My toes are kind of short or I would cross them too. Take care.