I have a 2000 Saab. Ok, so I go in for a free oil change, and the dealer says that my check engine light is on. I know, it’s been on for like 6 months, but I’ve noticed no problems in performance, so I thought nothing of it. Plus, it wasn’t like it was always on, just sometimes. Lately, it’s been on all the time.
He then says that he ran a diagnostic and that it tells him that I need a software download to better understand the problem. I may be mis-remembering because I was kind of hung over the night before and instead of sleeping in, I had to help my friend move (after the oil change, of course). I think he said that the software download had to do something with the heating/cooling exhaust…thing (or something to that effect). And, wouldn’t you know it, my warranty doesn’t cover the download. So, it’s going to be like $125 for the download, and then they’ll run another diagnostic to see if there is anything else wrong with it (which there may or may be not).
So, as I have seen no issue with performance (drives pretty much like just bought it off the lot), is this download really necessary (even though the light is really annoying me)? Do I have to go to the dealer to do this? I ask, because my dealer never suggests going elsewhere, but this other problem I’ve had in the past had this third party mechanic tell me that it was a Saab only part.
The check engine light is on due to some out of line condition with the emissions system. The out of line condition may or may not effect performance. (some problems do, others don’t). Also I have too add that the word fine when used by a car owner to describe how there car runs can be a verry flexible term. I have seen cars that would barely move under their own power described as running fine by their owners. :eek:
Newer cars have the ability to have software downloaded to them to update the programs that were installed at the factory. This allows for technicians in the shop to update the operating instructions in various control units without a parts replacement. In the long run this saves money. Think of it this way, way would you rather do with your home computer, run Windows Update, or buy a new computer?
In your particular case you probably won’t be able to pass a smog inspection with the check engine light on, so sooner or later you will need to fix the problem.
You might have an emissions system problem, resulting in excessive air pollution. I’d get it fixed. When they do smog inspections around here on recent model cars, they just plug in a cable to the engine control computer’s I/O port and download the fault codes.
In some states having the “check engine” light on is an automatic failure of the smog check inspection, even if all test show results within the regulatory limits.
Newer cars (anything past 1995) will have OBD-II it won’t matter if the light is physically working or not, or even if it’s on or not, if the car throws a code, it throws a code. Some codes don’t turn the light on right away, some do, but if there’s one there, they’ll be able to DL it into their computer. Of course there are ways around this, but I won’t mention them here. As for older cars, I’m guessing that if the light is on, it’s an automatic faluire, if it’s not on and should be, they’ll probably catch it if it’s an emmisions problem. If they don’t catch it, then you must be within legal limits and ok to drive.
Your warranty doesn’t cover the download?
What kind of warranty do you still have?
If you have a bumper-to-bumper warranty still in effect, which seems unlikely on a 2000 model, I’d think that fixing the “check engine” light would be covered under warranty.
If you’re talking about the super-long “certain emmissions parts” warranty, then yeah, I suppose the computer isn’t “certain parts”.
I originally had a 3 yr/60k warranty, which my dealer still honored into the 4th year and 72k mi (replaced my badge, gave me free diagnostic, and one last free “planned” (for lack of a better word) maintenance schedule. Now, I don’t get anything. My current warranty is on the engine and drive train, which is third party (but through/recommended by Saab).
Thanks for all your help. I’ll give those Saabnet guys a post.
It might be harder than you suspect. To mimic normal operation, the light would have to be on with the ignition on but engine not running, then be off with the engine running. Given the complexity of doing that and the likelihood that it’s a pain to access the right wire, very few people would bother.
