So i bought a 2002 Volkswagen Golf about 6 days ago...and took it to the dealer yesterday because the stupid check engine light came on already. They said it was a coolant sensor so they fixed it for $150 which is half price even though the warranty doesn't cover it.

Well last night the light comes back on. I don't know why it would do that.
What's the deal here? I've not even had the car a week, and im seriously demanding they give me my money back from yesterday. Or even better, getting me in a different car. Which i don't know if they can do that or not.

My question is, what should i do. Should I let it go? And not worry about fixing the light if its gonna keep coming on? Or could there still be a problem and i need to go back to them and have them fix it or demand a different car. It's a first-time buyer car...which is depressing because i think i may have been screwed.

Thanks!

OK, let's start. My bet is he knew there was problems with the car. He let you have it as a good deal for so much car.

I would take it back now before you're in to deep. Next he will tell you it is the Oxygen sensor.

Under the threat of having the sale returned, he may just fix the thing up until you are satisfied. Buying from a dealer has a little warranty implied. Customer satisfaction.

I would expect to buy a used car and not have the "Idiot" light come on for at least a month or two.

Now to the light. One of the easiest to fix problems is the gas cap. They charge you $60-$80 just to read it then they tell you it was just the gas cap. If they are honest.

Now, what I would do. Go to my nearest auto parts store, by a reader, check the code my self. Then you can even reset the light your self. Some stores will even read it for you hoping it is an easy fix and they can get a parts sale from it.

The good news is when you take the car in for service because the stupid light came on, you can already know what the approximate problem is. Don't reset it. Do not tell the dealer you know, just see what he says. If you don't like his answer, take your key and go to another dealer.

There is one, large, dealer that I will not take my lawn mower to because he tried to take me. He didn't know that I aready knew the problem. When confronted, "oh, that's normal. That can sometimes show up like that."

I am not one who goes in to something blind.

Welcome to tne pool and good luck.

So, i refused to let them look at it knowing they were going to try and charge me. Told me over the phone that they would try and get me in a different car if i didn't want to spend on all those repairs. Went in today just tired and wanted a different car. They said they weren't able to at that point because the bank buys it from them and sells it to me, that it was out of their hands. I told him he could take it back but wouldn't and he shrugged so i said ill be calling the bank.

Check out lemon laws. Would be a lemon if it was under original warranty. But they gave me great advice, that i definitely had a case that would hold up and do well in court and that i should call around and talk to some attorneys.

I may be a 20yr. old new car buying chick, but i work hard for my money, and ill prove they shouldn't have messed with me. They will be getting complaints, and i wont be willing to exchange cars next time. They'll either give me a full refund and take the car back, or they'll be seeing the case in court. I know they don't want that.

So atleast I think i have some rights. Do you think i got a good case? The lemon law people definitely think so...

I guess the lemon-law people know what they are talking about, but the 'check engine light' doesn't neccessarily mean the car is a lemon. The engine light can come on for reasons such a a door not being shut properly, or the trunk being slammed too hard. If the car is still running good, it might not be a lemon. Definitely, keep after them, though.

Good luck and I'd like to hear more about this later when you get it all straightened out.

The check engine light can come on for a million reasons -including a loose gas cap. Your best bet is to find a place that will run a diagnostic for a nominal fee (around $10). Auto Zone, Auto Parts Plus, Pep Boys, etc. are good places to start. If they can give you an idea of your actual issue, you will have more ammunition with which to confront your seller.

it can also be a dirty map censer too.
gas cap is a good one , any of the censers are dirty you can have someone you know that works on autos clean them for you. its very easy to clean them you will need to buy cleaner in an spray can. electronics cleaner and or carb cleaner. me i would change the gas cap as it is cheap. but im pretty sure the censers are dirty. electronic stuff in autos are fussy about being clean. you need to get a code reader if your going to pursue this your self. they are very handy and they come with how toos.

If you have an auto zone near you, they should be able to check the engine light at no cost.

The auto zone listings in Virginia are:

38NE 11301 Hull Street Rd
Midlothian, VA 23112
(804) 763-3457

40E 1506 Boulevard
Colonial Heights, VA 23834
(804) 520-0390

41E 2131 South Crater Road
Petersburg, VA 23805
(804) 863-0012

43NE 11800 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Chester, VA 23831
(804) 706-4765

43NE 7222 Hull St Rd.
Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 674-7385

46NE 5801 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23225
(804) 232-1384

46NE 3906 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Richmond, VA 23234
(804) 275-5471

46E 3513 Oaklawn Boulevard
Hopewell, VA 23860
(804) 541-2791

49SE 1351 Julian R. Allsbrook Hwy
Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870
(252) 537-1176

50NE 7150 W Broad St
Richmond, VA 23294
(804) 672-8551

51NE 2403 Chamberlayne Ave
Richmond, VA 23222
(804) 321-3548

51W 1602 Wilborn Ave
South Boston, VA 24592
(434) 572-3189

53NE 7207 Brook Rd
Richmond, VA 23227
(804) 262-5944

53SW 200 Dabney Road
Henderson, NC 27536
(252) 431-1100

53NE 5138 Nine Mile Road
Richmond, VA 23223
(804) 737-0292


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I know this was mentioned already. But it could very well be the gas cap. My check engine light comes on quite frequently (it's a 2003 Hyundai Elantra). Here in Oregon, it is against the law to pump your own gas. So it's always the gas attendents fault.

The first time the light did come on, I freaked out. I called the closest Hyundai dealer and they told me about the gas cap.

If the gas cap isn't screwed on all the way, it causes the check engine light to come on. Check your cap. If it is lose, turn it to the right until you hear a click. It may take a few starts and stops to get the light to turn off but this may work.

Well, my gas cap has been clicking five or six times after i put in gas...so i make sure its closed. As for leaks and things dirty who knows...i do know that they didn't tell me when i bought it, and it more than likely happened before they sold it. They did bad business and im going to let them know they aren't going to keep screwing people over. Apparently im not the first.

For the gas cap: it doesn't matter how many times it clicks, it could still have a leak. They're cheap to replace if that's really teh problem. Clarebear gave you a GREAT list of Auto Zones, you might want to check out your codes.
Sensors can go for no reason and give you an engine light, even on a brand new car. Trust me.