I wouldn't rule out buying the car over it. If this is the only negative issue involved, you can probably negotiate a sweet deal. There are many possible causes for the lit light. There are many components involved within the emission control system. This is where to look. Yes oxygen sensors are common, but so are catalytic converters. This item is probably the most expensive to replace if needed. Find out what a new cat would cost and get a discount for it. As for nailing down the precise cause for the light, you have only 2 reliable options.
Troubleshoot the system yourself with a tech manual, or pay a quality shop for a diagnostic. The free code reader service at parts houses will only interpret the general area of the failure, not much help. In my opinion,
you're better off to pay about $75 to a shop that can point to the exact cause and say there it is. You can still save big by replacing the defective component/s yourself, unless the shop makes a generous offer.
Most of them are. JetDoc's answer is hard to beat: if it is that simple, why is it being sold with a mysterious defect.
Part of the problem is that there are dozens of O2 sensor codes and very few of them are normally caused by the O2 sensor. Most likely the code is P0420 or P0430, indicating "Catalyst system efficiency below threshold." The great majority of mechanics (especially at dealers, and for good reason) misdiagnose that as a bad converter with an impressive repair cost. People don't want to pay so they try to pass it off as just being a silly little orange light because an oxygen sensor is bad.
Never, never, buy a car with a check engine light on unless you are a wiz with computer controlled systems (I have maintained and repaired them for 30 years, and I stay away because some can be arcane symptoms of horrible problems), or intimately familiar with that make, model, and often year, and are getting the car at least $3000 below what it would be with the light working right.
Short answer - thank the seller for his/her time and leave.
Yes they are. That light could mean anything from a cheap gas cap that's loose to a faulty cat converter or computer system I would buy an OBDII testers (doesn't have to be an expensive diagnostic type). Use it to see what the code is. Also, they'll tell you any historical codes if they haven't been cleared.
If it was an O2 sensor, they could replace it for less than $100 and raise the price of the car by $500. So, there's a reason they haven't fixed the problem and cleared the code - too expensive.
JetDoc's answer is the most succinct and correct answer. O2 sensor is such a common and simple issue to fix that if this was the problem, the seller would have done it already. I have two recommendations for you
1) Stay away
2) Bring any car you are considering buying an independent shop for a quick check. In 60 minutes and about $100, they can spot any issues. This is a very common request and they will know exactly what you are asking done.
Nobody in their right mind should ever buy a vehicle with the CEL lit. Even if a car owner had the car scanned for codes you still can't say it's an 02 sensor with out diagnosing it further and reading the 02 sensor voltage readings and watching their switching times. If you ever see a p0420 code it's always a bad catalytic converter. There are plenty of good used cars out there so take a pass if the CEL is on.
Nobody in their right mind should ever buy a vehicle with the CEL lit. Even if a car owner had the car scanned for codes you still can't say it's an 02 sensor with out diagnosing it further and reading the 02 sensor voltage readings and watching their switching times. If you ever see a p0420 code it's always a bad catalytic converter. There are plenty of good used cars out there so take a pass if the CEL is on.
I do a lot of shadetree work and own a scanner. I can honestly say only ONCE did I have a CEL from an O2 sensor, specifically the heating element,
Most people aren't lying, just ignorant and repeating urban myth.
No need for an argument. Just get the codes read. It's not an unreasonable request to have an objective assessment of the car before you make an offer. If the codes are actually something different, then you know you can't trust the seller.
Anytime the check engine light is on, there has been a problem detected by the vehicle's ECM, or commonly referred to the computer. The only way to determine what is wrong is that the stored codes must be extracted by a code scanner. I would suggest that you follow JetDoc's lead because I was thinking the same thing. .
No dealer should really be selling a vehicle with a check engine light on. If your area requires an emission test it would fail. Many different things can cause a check engine light to come on from a bad gas cap to a bad sensor or a catalytic converter. Used cars are generally sold "as is" so beware. If they dont fix it then dont buy it. syd
http://www.yourcarguy.us
Yes that is the most common problem when the check engine light comes on....I have driven cars with the check engine light on for years.....the catalytic converter and pollution control makes the light go on....the car can run just fine with that light on....the big question is....When is the next E - Check? If its not for 2 years you wont have to get it fixed for 2 years....to solve the problem lines are cleaned or converter is replaced .....can cost $200 or more....I have driven many cars with the check engine light on....using high test gas can sometimes clean things out and shut off the check engine light ... sometimes
I read a lot of postings and most of them are not composed properly with sentences. You have three sentences that should have a period at the end and start with a capitalized word. Does that mean you are no educated? Cause and effect. What does it matter as to any "explanation" given? If it was that simple of a repair, why have they not repaired the car? No need enter the psychological aspects of people nor the mechanical issues with cars. Would you buy a car without tires or without a front glass? Of course not. There are millions of cars for sale. Buying one with defects is not recommended. In fact, you need to assume that there is a defect that was cancelled by a device. All used cars need to be inspected by a trained mechanic that can search with a device as to any reported codes.
If it WERE "Just the O-2 sensor" then it wouldn't be that hard to fix... So why hasn't the owner fixed the problem? If it has a check engine light on... Walk away. The car has more problems than you need.
Never buy a car with a lit check engine light. Ever. Walk away from it. In many states it is illegal to even sell a car with the check engine light lit.
If the check engine light is on the car is telling you it is sick. While the cost may not high it can be very high at times. Are you willing to gamble?
O2 sensor is a common problem, but the seller probably does not know for sure. Even if they had the codes read it stills takes and experienced mechanic to properly diagnosis the exact problem.
It might be, or they might be lying.
If you are actually interested in the car say something like "I'd think about buying it, if you get that fixed first". It's a simple enough repair.
If they dodge the question, then they are probably lying. If they say, "yeah, we can get that fixed, but it will cost $xx extra", then they probably telling the truth.
Other option is to ask if you can take it to your mechanic to be checked out. If they agree, then it's probably legit. If they refuse, then they know there are problems.
1) Stay away
2) Bring any car you are considering buying an independent shop for a quick check. In 60 minutes and about $100, they can spot any issues. This is a very common request and they will know exactly what you are asking done.
If you ever see a p0420 code it's always a bad catalytic converter. There are plenty of good used cars out there so take a pass if the CEL is on.
an o2 sensor is an assumption with out the tests. the actual code form the ecm can be a great help. with obd2, it can be biased lean or rich, slow to react and a few other issues. can, it gets to be more complex. get the codes and go from there.
That is the reason that they are trying to sell it to avoid the merry go round of O2 sensors and Catalytic converter replacement.
stay away from any care where that light comes on - could be many things and never anything good - even an O2 sensor will cost money to fix
If it were as simple as that they would have a new sensor fitted. So yes it's a porky pie.
Think about it, if you were trying to sell a car and you wanted to make that job easier for yourself, wouldn't you just fix a deal breaking problem if it was an easy repair?
Cuntry Boy the non-mechanic doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. There are all kinds of independent shops that can tell you why an engine light is on and they won't bend you over like the dealership.
Who knows - the light can be on for loads and loads of different reasons but it does mean that you should not buy the car as if the owner has not fixed it before trying to sell it then does that not tell you something?
If it were as simple as that they would have a new sensor fitted. So yes it's a porky pie.
Just walk away. there are a lot of other cars out there to pick from.
They're probably guessing like most people do.
Just walk away. there are a lot of other cars out there to pick from.
They're probably guessing like most people do.
They are waiting to start negotiating a sale before investing money to get the light cleared up. they may have the car sit for months.
If you are serious, drive it to YOUR tech for your answers, then make an intelligent offer subtracting the known up coming costs.
Continuing to drive with the malfunction can lead to a car that dies and wont restart, having wasted tons of fuel to get there.
And possibly destroy the engine rings and bearings.
Depends what it is. Ask for a code check and your tech's opinion during your preowner inspection.
If they accept the offer, it is a possible bargain, if no? keep walking away till they meet your educated deal.
You should not have to rebuild their garbage or take their garbage.
You should instead, subtract from the price to make a fair deal.
