Thank Heavens For The Internet

[Buenchico]

I've been worrying about the engine management light showing on the dashboard of my car. Getting faults fixed on my Saab never seems to be cheap. (At one time the ignition key wouldn't turn in the lock. Cutting a long story short, I ended up spending over a grand to fix it!). So I wasn't looking forward to taking my car into the garage.

However I decided that, as I spend much of my life researching answers for other AB members, I'd have a browse around the internet to see what I could find out for myself.

I remembered that the light first came on not long after I'd filled up with petrol and I was wondering if the problem might be related to contaminated fuel. However I then found a list of possible causes on an American site which ended with these words: "In some cases, you may not notice any performance issues at all, as would be the case if you forget to tighten the gas cap".

Problem solved ;-)

[gness]

Thank heavens for the internet. I agree, Chris.....had it not been for the internet I'd still have wonky headlights on my Honda and not have met Dave.....hmmmmm...... ;-)

[sunny-dave]

Well ... a 50% hit rate isn't so bad :-)

[gness]

Indeed, Dave....the headlights are perfect now.... ;-)

[seekeerz]

Lol at the lot of you xxx

[Buenchico]

I've got more sense than to get involved between you two - but thanks for making me laugh anyway ;-)

[Mamyalynne]

There's a few need their gas caps tightening ;-)

[gness]

A wise man you are, Chris!

Hi, Seek...hope you are well and happy...x

[gness]

You're not kidding, Mamya....those beans Dave had for tea tonight were a big mistake.... :-(

[sunny-dave]

I ran a couple of 9-5 Aero estates Chris - each lasted over 100,000 miles without missing a beat.

So when the second one was pensioned off, I (obviously) bought another ... whatever the Swedish is for "A Friday Afternoon Lemon" that was what #3 was - more fault lights than Blackpool Promenade - and a square, bumpy wheel that no amount of swapping tyres and hubs could solve. I quickly shifted it on ...

[anneasquith]

So you * helped yourself * Chris, well done . :-)

[Buenchico]

My 9-3 has 145k on the clock, Dave. I've loved it since I bought it (for just £750) 4½ years ago.

However when things go wrong with it, they really go wrong. When the gear box failed, I had a hell of a job getting another one, with only one breaker's yard in the entire country being able to supply a replacement box.

Then, when the ignition key wouldn't turn, it cost me £420 to get new parts and the ECU reprogrammed. However, after it had been reprogrammed, removing the key didn't engage the steering lock (which, annoyingly, is an MOT failure, even though it's not safety related). The guy who'd reprogrammed the ECU insisted that it was pure coincidence at definitely not his fault. He then kept my car for over a month and, when he'd finally fixed the problem, 'generously' agreed to only charge me a third of his full fee for doing the job: £650! So getting the key to turn in the lock had actually cost me £1070 in total, on a £750 car!

[Buenchico]

I'm always helping myself, Anne - but only when I'm sure the security cameras are facing the other way ;-)