Bought a car and discovered the "Check Engine" light was on, and covered with black

10-20-2007

tape...? Just bought an '88 buick Regal from a private owner (for less than $1,000 so Lemon Law does not apply)...

We just found that the "Check Engine" light was on -- the seller had covered it with black tape (dashboard is dark, so we didn't see it at first).

As usual, the handwritten receipt includes the phrase "as is".

If there is a major issue with the car, do I have a Small Claims case, for deception?

Thanks!
The issue would be deceptive selling, making a material change to hide a known deficiency, which I think trumps "as is"...

But my gut feeling is that the owner covered the light a while ago... when he was using it.

The car was inspected in August, and they included the receipt, showing an oil and lube and new air filter as well.

It was actually sold to me by the owner's brother-in-law, who had Power of Attorney -- since August, the actual owner had a stroke and it looks like he will be hospitalized for the rest of his life...

So I am thinking that if it just passed inspection, including emissions, it is a problem with the "Check Engine" light itself, and not a real issue with the car.

EagleAutosports · 06-07-2008

There's still something going on. You can disconnect the battery for 30 minutes to clear it out, codes can get stuck in the memory and not be cleared out even if the problem is fixed. Then drive the car, making note if the light comes back on and if it does, there's a valid problem and you would read the codes and go from there.

petty · 07-31-2008

If lights comes back on and on, then finally you have to reset the codes or better ask the dealer 'bout it. All vehicles have an electronic control module.

The easiest way is to visit your local dealer for proper diagnostic.

10-20-2007	#1 (permalink)
without.precepts Guest Posts: n/a	Bought a car and discovered the "Check Engine" light was on, and covered with black tape...? Just bought an '88 buick Regal from a private owner (for less than $1,000 so Lemon Law does not apply)... We just found that the "Check Engine" light was on -- the seller had covered it with black tape (dashboard is dark, so we didn't see it at first). As usual, the handwritten receipt includes the phrase "as is". If there is a major issue with the car, do I have a Small Claims case, for deception? Thanks! The issue would be deceptive selling, making a material change to hide a known deficiency, which I think trumps "as is"... But my gut feeling is that the owner covered the light a while ago... when he was using it. The car was inspected in August, and they included the receipt, showing an oil and lube and new air filter as well. It was actually sold to me by the owner's brother-in-law, who had Power of Attorney -- since August, the actual owner had a stroke and it looks like he will be hospitalized for the rest of his life... So I am thinking that if it just passed inspection, including emissions, it is a problem with the "Check Engine" light itself, and not a real issue with the car.

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06-07-2008	#2 (permalink)
EagleAutosports Site Administrator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Mebane, North Carolina, USA Posts: 229	There's still something going on. You can disconnect the battery for 30 minutes to clear it out, codes can get stuck in the memory and not be cleared out even if the problem is fixed. Then drive the car, making note if the light comes back on and if it does, there's a valid problem and you would read the codes and go from there.

07-31-2008	#3 (permalink)
petty Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hamilton, USA Posts: 1	If lights comes back on and on, then finally you have to reset the codes or better ask the dealer 'bout it. All vehicles have an electronic control module. The easiest way is to visit your local dealer for proper diagnostic.