Not getting any code readings. Chevy Camaro
alibeasley
Member Posts: 7
My check engine light comes on either right after I start the car, or about 15 minutes into driving around. My dad tried taking it up to autozone and they couldn't get a reading. I guess the engine light should flash and that doesn't happen either.
He thought the cylinder was skipping. So he replaced all six spark plugs. Still having a problem. He still thinks it skips though. He said he can feel it. I'm not a car guru so I have no idea.. I do feel it vibrate though.
Now, my dad has been working on cars and trucks for years, but he's no professional. He wants to look around and find out why he can't get a reading. That was three weeks ago. And I honestly think I need to take it in to have it looked at. It's been sitting in our yard for months. I know I probably shouldn't go alone because I've been told mechanics like to BS people who don't know squat about cars. Especially women. I don't plan on going in and having them fix whatever they say is wrong that day. But I do need to find out something.
Comments
In a case like this, I would hook up my laptop to the car and set it to monitor and log the data while driving. This should capture the elusive CEL illumination. (Check Engine Lite)
Like bpeebles says, for an intermittent and elusive problem like yours, you will have to "capture" the event as it is happening. If you don't have the tools to do this, you'll have to pay for at least the diagnostic time. The mechanic is going to have to be plugged in while the event is occurring.
other than the light, is the car running okay? it could have been a misfire, or a wonky 02 sensor going bad, but guessing is often more expensive than paying for one hour diagnostic time.
According to my dad, the car runs fine. Just for local driving though..nothing long distance. Sometimes it takes a couple cranks to get it running, but I think I need a new battery too.
Now I just need to call around and find out how much this visit is going to cost..at least a rough estimate.
Well you can make an arrangement with them for one hour diagnostic time and see what that costs. You have to make sure, though, that they are going to see that check engine light going on.
Well I called up Firestone and they said it'll cost me $89.99 for them to look at it however long they need to. Guy said it usually is about a four hour wait from the time I bring it in to the time it's done. I went outside to start my car, and bam. Battery is dead. Yay me! I'll get it there eventually...