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john70t john70t is online now
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 40,493
They can usually turn off the malfunction indicator light easily with a scanner, a model-specific series of KeyOff/KeyON/odometer button pressing, or sometimes just disconnecting the battery.

To get the light to turn back on in OBD2 systems sometimes requires completing certain drive-cycle conditions while the computer does its self-testing proceedures. For example, the computer will open the EGR at cruise to check if the O2 sensor is responding appropriately.

The complexity widens, because many manufacturers haven't been releasing repair info to the small shops until they got sued through class-action lawsuits-the German brands especially.

In general, the tight OBD2 restrictions were created to make it difficult to modify the engine emmissions too much with aftermarket parts, and the dealerships want to control the repair market on their vehicles by shuting out the mom-and-pops.

2 weeks and trash in the car is unacceptable. Emission warrantees for newer cars are pretty good, and the dealership should be able to fix this without charge.
Search the net for recalls and TSBs (technical service bulletins) which are the "quiet fixes" dealerships do when in service, and then call a few dealerships with your VIN to see if your car is up to date.
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Old 04-18-2007, 01:43 PM
  Pelican Parts Catalog | Tech Articles | Promos & Specials    Reply With Quote #14 (permalink)