Would you buy a car with an illuminated check engine light? 

"E90M3" (e90m3) 09/07/2018 at 10:13 • Filed to: None

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There can be many reasons to walk away from a car. Maybe a check engine light it enough to dissuade you, but then again, maybe it’s not a deal breaker. It could be something simple as an O2 sensor, or possibly it’s a foreboding sign of what’s down the road. So, would you be willing to buy a car with a CEL?

If you were curious, that’s not my car, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!  

Spanfeller is a twat > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:17

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It depends, do we have a full service history and an OBDII reader?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:18

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Depends why it’s on honestly.

If it runs good and it’s just something simple, I wouldn’t think twice.

If it doesn’t run good and I have no true idea why it’s on, it would depend on the price.

E92M3 > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:18

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Maybe if it was at enough of a discount, and still ran fine. The biggest concern is knowing it would have to pass emissions before I could get a tag and drive  it. That doesn't give you much time to throw parts at it. 

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:19

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When I go to check out the car, I would take my OBD 2 reader+ Torque app, note down the code and do some research before making a decision.

E90M3 > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness 09/07/2018 at 10:20

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I think that’s the general consensus we’re going to come to.

E90M3 > Spanfeller is a twat 09/07/2018 at 10:20

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Case by case basis, sure some would and some won’t. More of a general question. 

Azrek > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:20

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Nope!
You get to pay the Diag fee, figure out what it is, and then have to get it fixed. So you are already at least $150 into this potential money pit. 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:21

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I would but only if I could see the code and I felt the seller was forthright with what they had tried to do to remedy it(or could determine what they had done from inspection).

E90M3 > E92M3 09/07/2018 at 10:22

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I remember having to try to get my dad’s Buick to pass emissions, that was a pain in the ass. It would randomly throw a CEL and we couldn’t really ever find the problem. I’m glad that I haven’t had to deal with that recently. Texas required an inspection, but I don’t think they cared about emissions where I was. I know there is  nothing in Savannah or South Carolina. 

MonkeePuzzle > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:22

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well.... it would have to be very cheap.

in CO you cant even register the car without it passes emissions test, and CEL is basically an immediate fail. So it’s basically a parts car until it’s fixed. So the risk is pretty high if you dont know the issue up front. 

E90M3 > MonkeePuzzle 09/07/2018 at 10:23

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In SC there’s no inspections, so that wouldn’t be an issue here. 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:24

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My OBD2 reader is always plugged into my car, so I check for codes anyways when I'm looking at a used car. If its something easily replaced then I would buy it.

ateamfan42 > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:24

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So, would you be willing to buy a car with a CEL?

Like so many yes/no questions in life, the correct answer is “it depends”.

Scan the code and research likely causes and the complexity/costs of repairs. If possible, do a little diagnosing/investigation on the car before sealing the deal. Then one can decide if the price of the car justifies the risk.

The causes a CEL can vary drastically . I just recently had the first one ever with my car, and it was because I jostled a vacuum hose connection loose during an oil change. Once I figured out the cause, I literally “repaired” it in 5 seconds in the parking lot at work.

Urambo Tauro > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:26

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Not immediately a dealbreaker. But I’m gonna scan it before making any final purchase decisions.

E90M3 > ateamfan42 09/07/2018 at 10:26

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Seems to be the general consensus .

Sovande > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:27

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I would if I plugged in a code reader to see what the fault was.  I would do that with any used car purchase though, CEL illuminated or not.

Milky > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:30

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Test drive it to auto zone and find out why. My old Crossfire had a CEL on for years because the “engine preheater” was out. 400 bucks to get the cats up to temp sooner ? Nah.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:30

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Flashing CEL while driving? T hat’s a NO.

Steady light that’s on all the time? MAYBE, at a discount.

Other lights flashing while accelerating?  I t’s been chipped, so NO.

Takuro Spirit > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:32

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I have. But I know the common causes for the code beforehand, and bring a code reader to verify it.

When I bought my Subaru it was a simple crossed vacuum line, my Camry (being told it was a recently replaced O2 sensor that was under warranty) was the opposite 02 sensor than I thought it was, but it was still cheap and easy to fix.

Chariotoflove > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:33

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In March, we bought my sister’s RSX with a bad O2 sensor. So, yes. 

Stapleface > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:33

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It depends.  If I had a scanner handy and knew what the code was, and that I could fix it, I probably would.  I’d want a pretty hefty discount regardless though.  

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:34

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My Lexus had a CEL for the rear o2 sensor. It also had a massive exhaust leak so I put 2 and 2 together and bought it anyways. $80 at the exhaust shop and no more CEL (and a much quieter Lexus)

E92M3 > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:34

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The problem here is it’s no t r eally an “ em issions test”. It’s a does your ECU show ready and have no stored faults test. With BMW’s it can take a w hile to get parts AND for the ECU to complete a full drive cycle. You could have a CEL and not be polluting the environmen t. If I lived som ewhere that didn’t require testing, I could take my time repairing it, and it still drove fine, then it's  not as big of a deal.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:34

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Nope. I'm not mechanically savvy and don't want to open up the wallet immediately either. Plus when I come out to look at a car, and the CEL is on - something he did NOT mention beforehand -- I'm out. Don't have time for your shady tactics.

random001 > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:39

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The light can be covered up, so why not?

E90M3 > random001 09/07/2018 at 10:40

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This is the correct answer. 

McMike > ateamfan42 09/07/2018 at 10:40

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So what do you do when you show up and look at the car with the CEL? Scan it, and tell the owner..

“ P04414 - Secondary Johnson rod sensor is not reading.. Oh, that’s a bad one. I’ll give you $300 for it.”

nerd_racing > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:42

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This is exactly why I carry my mini blue tooth OBD2 scan ner when I go to look at cars.  I can check for codes, monitors, and if the battery has been unhooked to hide things. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 10:47

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I usually carry an OBDII scanner with me when I’m shopping for heaps used cars.  I’ve had sales people get kind of weird about it sometimes, but I’ve never had a problem.

nermal > random001 09/07/2018 at 10:59

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No, you don’t cover up the light, you snip the wire going to it so it stays off permanently.

Future next gen S2000 owner > MonkeePuzzle 09/07/2018 at 11:04

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Roadside sniffer’s FTW!! Love those things. I hate going into the emissions testing places.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > McMike 09/07/2018 at 11:05

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So is it a secondary sensor for your Johnson rod, or a sensor for your secondary Johnson rod?

CobraJoe > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:06

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So, would you be willing to buy a car with a CEL?

Yes, if the price is right and there are no other symptoms of engine problems.

But I’d rather plug in an OBDII reader and see what the actual code is first. 

Just Jeepin' > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:08

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Unrelated, but since everyone’s talking OBDII anyway...

Anyone ever stumbled upon a waterproof  port cover? I have a short that could conceivably be related to the fact that my OBDII port is regularly exposed to rain.

MonkeePuzzle > Future next gen S2000 owner 09/07/2018 at 11:08

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cant do a roadside sniffer for a new registration though.

I work pretty hard to get a roadside. with the last civic at least I had to strip off my bumper lips, change wheels, to get it high enough to test. failed for being too low to test

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:15

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Still thinking about that AMG from a couple weeks ago?

E90M3 > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 09/07/2018 at 11:15

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Nope, unless they want to basically give it to me. 

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:15

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A cheap scan tool can be had for under $100. Read it, see what it is, then go from there. Like a carfax, if  you can’t afford the scanner you maybe can't afford the car. Plus it's a useful thing to have around. 

ateamfan42 > McMike 09/07/2018 at 11:30

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The scanner result certainly can play into price negotiations. Depends whether the seller “knows what he has” and is willing to move on price.

Personally, if I was selling a car with the CEL on, I’d have already scanned it and tried to figure out the problem.  If it was something simple I’d want to fix it, knowing that an illuminated light is likely going to drive a lower selling price.  But not every seller wants to put in that effort.

Gerry197 > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:31

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Yes, especially if it’s an emissions thing which is usually what a yellow engine light is.

If it’s in Cali or any CARB state, you will usually have an extended 70,000 mile Smog Equipment warranty.

I would throw my diagnostic connector and check what the error code was, if it’s something simple like a smog sensor or evap, I wouldn’t hesitate. 

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:32

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I’d plug in my blue tooth OBDII reader and see what it told me. But to your question, yes, I might, depending...

McMike > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 09/07/2018 at 11:32

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Single Johnson per bank.  I don’t have that kind of money for a parallel setup.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > MonkeePuzzle 09/07/2018 at 11:32

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CA same.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:36

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I’ve bought two cars with a CEL on (and lived in emission inspection counties at the time), but both times I troubleshooted the problem during my inspection and used the light (and the fact that it couldn’t be registered to a new owner until it was fixed) to hammer down the price. On my E39, it had a CEL for the heated element of the thermostat, and ye olde 99 Escalade had the code set for the cam shaft position sensor. Replacing the thermostat on the E39 wasn’t a big deal, and replacing the worn distributor drive gear on a votec 5.7 is very cheap and easy.

Spanfeller is a twat > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:41

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I’d check it out as a last resort if I’m honest, or if it’s the cleanest example of a car available

cbell04 > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:55

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That would be a $9.00 Bluetooth scanner to the rescue situation for me. I have one at all times . Scan, research, negotiate.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 11:56

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“Would you buy a VW?”

Scan the OBDII, if it’s nothing serious, go for it.

dogisbadob > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 12:00

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depends how much time is left on the inspection sticker :p

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > nermal 09/07/2018 at 12:30

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No, no, no, y ou pull the bulb out.

E90M3 > dogisbadob 09/07/2018 at 13:40

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Inspection sticker?

-every SC resident 

GoodIdeaAtTheTime > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 13:48

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Depends what is setting a code. When I look at a used car, you won’t see me plug in a $40 code reader. Nope. Last car I looked at I plugged in my $70,000 A utologic. FYI, I paid $ 1100 for the car. S eller honestly didn’t know why the cel was on, turned out the cts was not plugged in . Can’t think how many times it was ohhh it needs a oxygen sensor or fuel pump... never is. 

dogisbadob > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 14:02

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Then there is no problem :o)

CaptDale - is secretly British > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 14:47

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If it was the only way I could get a dream car then I would entertain the idea

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 15:33

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I would bring my scanner, see what it was, and if the seller seemed like a clueless person I’d pretend it was something serious in order to get s ome money off the asking price.

I'm a bad person, I know.

daveIT > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 17:25

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Maybe.  Get one of the bluetooth scanners and see what it is...

wbizarre - OEM fetishist > E90M3 09/07/2018 at 20:30

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I’d bring or borrow a code reader, or get a PPI. 

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > E90M3 09/08/2018 at 06:09

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Of course. That’s how you get things cheap.

Matt Nichelson > E90M3 09/09/2018 at 20:10

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I see the car is no longer listed. I guess ya made him mad. 

E90M3 > Matt Nichelson 09/10/2018 at 09:03

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Maybe. I looked at the account and noticed that it was his only comment. Maybe he realized the folly of listing a car with a CEL, or maybe I made him made, or maybe it sold. Regardless of the reason, it doesn’t matter to me. I would find it a bit humorous if I made him mad enough to delete the ad.