I have to get my car inspected by January 31 but my fucking check engine light is on. If I bring it in to get serviced will they reset it and 'turn it off' without costing me an arm and a leg? I plan on bringing it in for service in February (when I have a few days off from work) but need to get it inspected.

I'm a moron when it comes to cars and service so anyone have a quick answer for me? You guys are smart like that..

2001 Mazda 626..

PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

1/20/2006 10:57:29 AM

Quote :

"If I bring it in to get serviced will they reset it and 'turn it off' without costing me an arm and a leg?"

kinda depends on why it is on...

1/20/2006 11:11:01 AM

well I guess what I'm asking is can I get it turned off, drive the minimum # of miles, get it inspected, then get the problem fixed in a few weeks when I have time??

Sorry if this is a dumb question but like I said I'm not too up on stuff to do with cars.

1/20/2006 11:12:30 AM

well it depends how fucked up your car is

1/20/2006 11:14:07 AM

It's a bit jumpy in the low gears, but not too bad and only like 5% of the time I drive it.

I'm going to try a few things I found online. Regardless if it goes off I'm still going to bring it in at the first oppurtunity I have..

1/20/2006 11:25:26 AM

Go to advanced, and get them to pull the codes for you. Then come back here and tell us what the codes are. We may be able to tell you what is wrong, and one of us may be able to fix it for you, if you so desire.
Advanced will pull the codes for free.
You have 15 days into February before the January Inspection HAS to be done by law.

1/20/2006 11:28:31 AM

Haha.. I brought it in and the ODBII or whatever that came up was for a misfiring 3rd sparkplug. All I have to do is clean it or replae the spark plug..

lots of worrying for nothing

1/20/2006 12:17:52 PM

replace ALL the plugs.

1/20/2006 12:20:39 PM

Yea I'm planning on it. What will that run me?

1/20/2006 12:21:02 PM

parts or parts+labor?

1/20/2006 12:32:15 PM

I suppose I can do it myself if I find the correct size socket.. I think even someone with my limited knowledge should be able to do that, no?

[Edited on January 20, 2006 at 12:40 PM. Reason : f]

1/20/2006 12:40:35 PM

5/8 plug socket, 8" extention and a ratchet is all you need, and throw some wires on there too

1/20/2006 12:43:46 PM

Thanks.. I'll be able to do it myself it looks like.

Hopefully it solves the problem..

1/20/2006 12:54:48 PM

Ya know. I should have known this too. I originally thought it was the transmission again but now that I think about it the car would seem to lose power if I held down the power windows and/or used the AC. It makes sense that it is a spark plug I suppose...

1/20/2006 1:40:43 PM

might as well check other shit while you're at it--coolant dirty looking? air filter ok? tire pressure correct (make sure car is cold for that one)? fluids topped off?

1/20/2006 2:27:52 PM

4 spark plugs.. 7.99...

Replaced the misfiring one (going to do the others later), disconnected the battery, hooked it back up.. and no problems. Check engine light off and all previous problems with the jumpy low gears and idling are seemingly gone..

1/20/2006 6:19:25 PM

Quote :

"You have 15 days into February before the January Inspection HAS to be done by law."

there is a 15 day grace period once your registration expires. perhaps this is what you meant? i never knew of any grace period regarding inspections.

1/20/2006 6:46:39 PM

^ yep feb 1st they can write you a ticket

1/20/2006 7:46:25 PM

thats what i thought

1/21/2006 1:39:07 PM

the state wont fine you until your four months out of inspection

1/21/2006 2:06:22 PM

even then, it's just a "fix it" ticket

1/21/2006 2:08:56 PM

Yeah, I am always late with my inspection. Almost 2 months over now. Guess I'll get it done sometime next week.

1/21/2006 2:28:00 PM

^gg

1/22/2006 2:36:28 AM

So what are some places that will pull the codes for free?? I know someone mentioned Advanced auto in here. Does Autozone still do it too??

1/29/2006 6:43:48 AM