Community Chat

[patbz]

The check engine came on in my Prius V today and I knew it wasn't for a week old oil change.  I pulled off the road, checked my gas cap (gassed up yesterday) and I hadn't completely screwed it down, so I took it off and rescrewed it completely and light didn't go off.  This had happened once before about 3 years ago, and that time I took it to the dealer. One hour and $75 later it was fixed. Since then, I had heard that auto parts dealers fix this for free, so today I took it to O'Reilly, five minutes later it was fixed after they put a gizmo on it at No Charge!  Tomorrow I'm going to the Toyota dealer to talk to the owner about refunding my money (they can run the Vin number).  I'll let you know what happens.  I think this is all newer cars, not just Toyota; what a money grab!

[puttypiesmom]

@patbzthank you for this very important information. 

[CelticCrafter]

I had it happen once on a fairly new car and took it back to the dealer, it was the gas cap.

Now when I get gas, I always get out and check to make sure it's on tight.  Jersey girls don't pump gas. 

[AmericanBulldogMom]

@patbz Wait? You are going back to the dealer to try and get a $75 refund from 3 yrs ago????

I thought it was common knowlege by now that most large chain auto supply stores offer this service for N/C. (I even see it advertised in commercials.)

[CAcableGirl2]

On my vehicle, it has happened a couple of times after I failed to put the gas cap on tightly and the light will go off by itself after either a few starts/stop, or after you get gas next time.  I read this in the manual.

Wow, $75 to fix something that can be fixed by itself or for free.  What a complete rip-off.

[jaxs mom]

Every car I've owned, they generally say the check engine light has to do with the emissions system and if it comes on right after getting gas even more so. I've had the codes read a couple times at auto parts places. I certainly would never pay 75 dollars for that. 

[sunshine45]

a basic diagnostic service on any car is generally $100+ from reputable dealers and auto repair facilities. paying $75 is generally a good deal. it is pretty much billed as one hour of labor. if you trust your local auto parts places then that is fine.....yes, some of them will run a diagnostic for you for free.

if your check engine light is on it COULD be your gas cap, but just replacing the gas cap does not turn the light off right away. it takes some mileage for it to reset. if it is NOT just the gas cap, it could be a lot of other things wrong with the car.

[pigletsmom]

Did they tell you what the code was that it was sending? It sounds like they just cleared the code. If it was the gas cap and it's on correctly now you should be good to go. If they just cleared the code out then it will eventually come back.

Sadly I'm the queen of the check engine light and seem to have emmision problems on every car. Mine was on about a month ago. Went away when I got gas so I figured it was the cap. For about a month it would come and go until I got it into the shop. Turned out to be an intake boot with a small tear so it was only going off randomly.

Unfortunatley you can't get your car to pass inspection here if the light is on.

[flickerbulb]

My check engine light came on, and then the traction control light followed. It was cutting out on occasion and was not running properly.

I took it in to get checked out, and it turns out that the compression was low on two cylinders and the engine needed to be rebuilt.

I just got it back yesterday and the lights are off and it runs like new. Well, it should since the engine is now "new".

Better to get it checked out by a reliable mechanic who can rule out any other problems.

The gas cap causing the light to go on should go off on its own.

[patbz]

We googled this and there are numerous complaints.  I could buy another gas cap that's not so "tech".