Engine Check sign on

Hi Friends,

I am thinking of buying a 1999 Mazada Protege with 60k miles on it. When I took a test ride, I noticed the 'check engine' light was on (red). I mentioned about this to the dealer and he said an engine servicing was due.

Having read thru some of the details on net, I am now thinking would it be possible for the dealer to 'patch up' the problem just to get the sign to go off for a couple of days, so that I would buy the car? I am scared to go ahead with the deal knowing something is wrong with the car. I know it doesn't necessarily have to be a serious problem, but my concern is, can the dealer just patch the problem and erase the code from the OBD memory so that even if I do an engine check, the problem cannot be noticed?

If that were the case, is there any way around to get that information? If not, what should be the best course of action I should take?

Please advice me on this matter. Thanks in advance.

Sam

Have them correct the problem first...you might be looking at spending some bucks if you don't.

Thanks for your reply. But how can I be very sure that the problem has been fixed? Is there any concrete way of testing if the 'check engine' problems are fixed and would not reappear (atleast for the same reason) in few days???

Sam

just by unplugging the battery they could get it to go away for a while most likely

get the dealer to write "that if the check engine light comes on in the next few months they will pay for the repairs due to it being on when u bought it!"
he'll probably say no, & you can go on ur way knowing u didn't get shafted!

I have also found, from my personal experience, that sometimes the cause of this is just having too much air in the gas tank. I don't know why this should be a cause for the engine check light. Filling up the tank completely fixes the problem.

Get it in writing that the dealer will fix the CEL issue if it returns. Also, the dealer's service department (if they have one) can read the CEL code to see exactly what it is. Find out the CEL code, and proceed from there....with caution!!