Alright, this is my first topic so be nice to me, especially if this is in the wrong forum ( ).

Recently, my "Service Engine Soon" light has come on. Worried that my car was going to get permanently damaged, I took it to the dealership. In a nutshell, 3 weeks and a checklist of things to look at later, the dealership gave me back my car, saying it was fine to drive and they think that the light is caused by the ECU and I need a new one. Currently, the dealership's looking for a used ECU (rather than getting a brand new OEM one and charging me $1,100 for it). However, I know someone here must have experienced a similar problem where after about 30 miles from unplugging and replugging in the battery, the "Service Engine Soon" light of doom appears. The car's running great by the way, I feel/see/hear nothing wrong with it when I drive it. My question is, is the ECU the problem, or is it possible that it's something else that they just didn't notice or check? I'd like to know for sure before I drop $1,100 on an OEM ECU or $1,400 on an aftermarket one.

 

Ummm.... I think the important question is; Is your car under warranty?

My old car got a cel at 38 miles exactly. It was a bad o2 sensor.

Saying that, just because you unplug the ecu, doesn't mean that you'll lose the code. Some codes (like airbag codes) stay in memory until the code is cleared.

My recommendation is to get the car scanned and find out the codes. Then you'll know the problem.

 

If you take it to any Autozone or any place with an ODBII reader, they can tell you what is causing the light to come in. Autozone will do it for free too. They can even clear the error code if its not major.

 

Yessir, it's under a bumper-to-bumper warranty for another 1,000 miles before it just goes to the powertrain.


Hmm, that sounds too easy to be true. I'll take your word on it however and go up to the AutoZone tomorrow after I stop by the dealership to pick up my front license plate holder.

 

In fact, it is not too easy to be true. I just took it to Autozone last week to pull a code and they clear it afterwards.

In addition, why would you have to pay for it if it is under warranty?

Lastly, isn't the ECU under some emission warranty? When I had my eclipse and the ECU was defective, my car was way over regular warranty but after they replaced it, they said it was under emission law or something like that, so they had to replace it for free.

 

Best investment you can have with this car is a ODBII reader. These cars seem to throw codes like crazy once you start modding them. I bought one from Autozone that was 60 bucks and works great.

http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16298

 

Did the dealer explain what went wrong...or what the code was?

Are you modded? What were you doing when the light turned on ?

ECU's are covered under basic warranty. 3yr/36,000.

There's go to be more to this than just a supposedly fried ecu.

 

you shouldn't be paying for anything! Plus, they should reflash the ecu to see it that'll fix it. Next time, ask them what codes are displayed. And, they should be buying a new ecu, not used. dealerships don't put used parts on cars!

 

What was the code, that would help. Dealerships can be a pain especially mitsu. I would get a second opinion like all these guys are saying. I think that you would have more problems if it were a bad ecu. Just my $.02

 

that dealership is taking u for a ride. report their ***** to corporate.

 

I'm not modded and the light came on on the drive home from the dealership it was purchased at actually.

 

This should MOST DEFINITELY be covered by the dealer. If for some reason the factory warranty was not still "intact", you should have been informed of this prior to the sale (or was it in the fine print?). I would bring this up with them first. If they give you a hard time, start checking state laws for car purchases. There may be a "grace period" for the purchase of a car -- usually measured in days (this is assuming you purchased the car VERY recently).


Edit: sorry -- just noticed where you mentioned "3 weeks"; state consumer laws might still be worth a look though.


Cabo

 

Well, it wasn't an official dealer that I got it from and it was out in Arlington so they're a good 200 miles away, so I can't really just drive up there to get a check. My dad talked to them on the phone however and I believe he said they pulled the whole, "how do we know you didn't do it?" crap.

I got the car on the 19th of August, just to let you know the official date.

 

Sorry -- I'm not an expert, but some research may be worth the time...


Cabo

 

ECU is an emissions item so it is covered under the emissions warranty.
I believe that was 5/50,000 for 03?
If you need an ECU then you are entitled to one under warranty, DO NOT accept a used ECU.