Check Engine Light On
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 25
From: NY NY
Check Engine Light On
I just bought an '05 and when I went to pick it up they mentioned they could not give it an inspection because of the check engine light. A day before with the test drive everything was Ok. They replaced the battery which caused this problem and said that chevy has to reset the sensors? Does this sound like BS or what?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 37
From: skiatook oklahoma
i dont know who "they" are....
i assume its not a dealership or one that does repairs. any shop that does repairs can reset codes, plus read those that are presently active or in history.
yes inspections require that check engine lights be off.
replacing a battery (as far as i have heard) will not cause CEL.
almost all auto parts stores (and dealerships & repair shops) can read and/or erase CEL codes.
i would have codes read to ensure what problem(s) there might be, have been present now in history, before clearing them.
i would feel very uncomfortable doing a purchase with CEL on too. some CE are minor, some are major!!!
fyi... you can purchase a small hand-held code reader, which can also erase codes. thus clear any before selling a car, which might be what they did. sounds very scary!!!!
i assume its not a dealership or one that does repairs. any shop that does repairs can reset codes, plus read those that are presently active or in history.
yes inspections require that check engine lights be off.
replacing a battery (as far as i have heard) will not cause CEL.
almost all auto parts stores (and dealerships & repair shops) can read and/or erase CEL codes.
i would have codes read to ensure what problem(s) there might be, have been present now in history, before clearing them.
i would feel very uncomfortable doing a purchase with CEL on too. some CE are minor, some are major!!!
fyi... you can purchase a small hand-held code reader, which can also erase codes. thus clear any before selling a car, which might be what they did. sounds very scary!!!!
Last edited by ChevyDave; Jun 29, 2012 at 04:10 PM. Reason: added fyi
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
From: Blaine Minnesota
Dont get worried before you determine the real issue. CEL codes can be very minor, and usually are but at times can be major. Go to your local automotive store/stores and find one that will read the codes with the handheld for you. Be sure to write them down and determine what they are by either looking online, posting on this forum, or calling/going to your local Chevrolet dealer. Let us know what you find. Good Luck
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
AutoZone will read your codes for free(except in CA). If you want to clear the CEL without reading the codes, disconnect the battery for 2-3 minutes. You will have to re-initialize the window indexing after re-connecting the battery( a couple of minutes job, outlined in the owners manual)
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
From: Blaine Minnesota
AutoZone will read your codes for free(except in CA). If you want to clear the CEL without reading the codes, disconnect the battery for 2-3 minutes. You will have to re-initialize the window indexing after re-connecting the battery( a couple of minutes job, outlined in the owners manual)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
St. Jude Donor '12
And CA wonders why all their businesses are leaving for other, more biz friendly states.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
From: Blaine Minnesota
It protects buyers to a small extent by notifying them before purchasing that there may be a problem...... Just a notifier. I know for a fact If I was buying a used car with a CEL on I would have it looked at or pull the codes before purchasing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
St. Jude Donor '12
If that were their concern then the law would be that the auto parts stores could read the codes, but not clear or reset them.
This is clearly another case of corrupt politicians bending over for a special interest. You have far too much faith in the intent of politicians my friend.
I've owned more than a few businesses, this is VERY common. It's not much better in FL where I currently live, It's MUCH better In IN where I am from. That explains why IN has a $3 billion surplus and a better employment picture than states like CA, Michigan, NY, FL, etc. which are not biz friendly states.
This is clearly another case of corrupt politicians bending over for a special interest. You have far too much faith in the intent of politicians my friend.
I've owned more than a few businesses, this is VERY common. It's not much better in FL where I currently live, It's MUCH better In IN where I am from. That explains why IN has a $3 billion surplus and a better employment picture than states like CA, Michigan, NY, FL, etc. which are not biz friendly states.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 708
Likes: 1
From: Blaine Minnesota
If that were their concern then the law would be that the auto parts stores could read the codes, but not clear or reset them.
This is clearly another case of corrupt politicians bending over for a special interest. You have far too much faith in the intent of politicians my friend.
I've owned more than a few businesses, this is VERY common. It's not much better in FL where I currently live, It's MUCH better In IN where I am from. That explains why IN has a $3 billion surplus and a better employment picture than states like CA, Michigan, NY, FL, etc. which are not biz friendly states.
This is clearly another case of corrupt politicians bending over for a special interest. You have far too much faith in the intent of politicians my friend.
I've owned more than a few businesses, this is VERY common. It's not much better in FL where I currently live, It's MUCH better In IN where I am from. That explains why IN has a $3 billion surplus and a better employment picture than states like CA, Michigan, NY, FL, etc. which are not biz friendly states.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 2
From: Naples FL
St. Jude Donor '12
I have no faith in politicians at all. Your statement has nothing to do with protecting a buyer as I have defined above. I have no care in arguing politics when simply stating that a buyer would get some small amount of protection when looking at used cars if this was/is an actual law.
This law has NOTHING to do with protecting buyers and EVERYTHING to do with protecting dealerships and garages. This law is to stop you from fixing your car yourself and saving the money - period.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 25
From: NY NY
Chevy reset the ECM which corrected the engine light issue, they did something when they replaced the battery to cause the problem. Chevy charged them $150. All is well now.
Thanks again for all your input.
Thanks again for all your input.