Chasing Check Engine Lights

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Ummm, you do realize that 4 times in 5 years isn't good, right? I've been stranded 2x in 13 years of driving, and I've had some pretty crappy cars.

Was thinking the same...... my 20 yr old daughter has also been driving an '87 924s for several years that I kind of fixed up for her. Driving all the old, high mileage cars in my sig, my wife two daughters and myself have only had a couple breakedowns in the last 8 years or so and that was mainly due to my mistake of buying the wife an Audi for a year or two. I have had several minor issues with my non-Audi high mileage german cars, but rarely have they left us stranded.

The key to success with these older high mileage German cars seems to be baselining them when you first purchase them (fix all the little nagging issues neglected by the PO), then simply keep up with the basic maintenance.

Ah what do I know, maybe I just have been lucky.

[asphaltgambler]

Every input component or computer controlled device on a vehicle has a window or range in which the computers software has programmed to "see". Mechanical and electronic 'parts' all have a life-cycle designed into them. I'm in the business and would think that if that thing went for 200K and you are just starting to experience some issues - count your blessings!

Most of those SUV's had a lot of problems to include cat-converter failure even before the OE warranty ran out.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

The key to success with these older high mileage German cars seems to be baselining them when you first purchase them (fix all the little nagging issues neglected by the PO), then simply keep up with the basic maintenance.

Ah what do I know, maybe I just have been lucky.

Amen to that. It drives my wife nuts when I change all the fluids then fix all the stuff that MIGHT break. Probably why my cars always sell well, there's nothing left to fix.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Amen to that. It drives my wife nuts when I change all the fluids then fix all the stuff that MIGHT break. Probably why my cars always sell well, there's nothing left to fix.

Same thing at my house. My wife whines that the 993 is so expensive to maintain, when I've done nothing but fluid changes in the last year and only did plug wires and had injectors cleaned the year before that. I've spent less than $1000 on it in the last two years and it's the most reliable thing I've ever owned, still has original battery and a/c has never been serviced, still blows ice cold.

[ruf-porsche]

The original fuel pump to our BMUU Touring crap out at 173,000 miles, That left us stranded at a Culver Restaurant on a Saturday evening. At what mileage should you start replacing original parts? Most people just wait until they have a break down to fix it.

[daepp]

It's so funny that these threads devolve into:

- expect the problems - it's an MBZ, you deserve it
- why didn't she buy her own car, she needs to learn how to maintain it
- I am ignorant of the law

My only point is that these systems, as designed, fail to anticipate normal wear and tear over the life of the automobile. Obviously there will be parts that fail or wear out, but the CEL comes on even when the vehicle is performing well. How are we to keep these older vehicles???

Where are the thrifty Pelicans???

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by daepp

It's so funny that these threads devolve into:

- expect the problems - it's an MBZ, you deserve it
- why didn't she buy her own car, she needs to learn how to maintain it
- I am ignorant of the law

My only point is that these systems, as designed, fail to anticipate normal wear and tear over the life of the automobile. Obviously there will be parts that fail or wear out, but the CEL comes on even when the vehicle is performing well. How are we to keep these older vehicles???

Where are the thrifty Pelicans???

The thrifty Pelicans suggested covering the CEL with a piece of tape.

Seriously, if it's not hurting the drivability just ignore the light.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by daepp

My only point is that these systems, as designed, fail to anticipate normal wear and tear over the life of the automobile. Obviously there will be parts that fail or wear out, but the CEL comes on even when the vehicle is performing well. How are we to keep these older vehicles???

Where are the thrifty Pelicans???

My 294,000 mile '92 BMW 325i has only thrown a couple of engine codes over the years. The most memorable was one that ended up requiring me to clean my idle control valve. It did have an SRS light on a while, but I recently picked up some BMW scan software ("CarSoft") and was able to clear it. My '03 330i recently had the CEL light come on and I was able to diagnose it as a vacuum leak with the software (torn intake boot) and fixed it easily for cheap.

I am very thrifty and have VagCom software (for my daughter's VW and my old Audi) and of the course the BMW software.

[daepp]

FWIW, it's gonna get difficult to keep cars as long as we should...