I'm in Pasadena, CA.

Took my car to a mechanic 2 days ago to get it fixed. Driving back home on Friday I experienced no problems. Yesterday I was working all day and didn't drive my car.

Today, I started the engine at the same 3 lights went on: Trac, Engine Check, and Trac Control. Once I stared driving, 2 of the lights went off, but the Trac light is still on.

I have no idea what's wrong with my car, but I want it fixed.

You guys know the financial situation I'm in. I can't pay top dollar to get this repair. I just need someone who's great at what he does, at a very affordable price.

Any suggestions?

 

get the codes and report back. maybe we can help and you can DIY.

 

The mechanic that we normally take it too is closed on sundays. I wouldn't be able to get any codes until Tuesday, unless there are shops that are open now?

Also, how much will it cost for them to give me the codes on what the problem is? Aren't diagnosis' free?

 

Autozone or your local parts place should be able to read any codes that are thrown and light up a CEL indicator for free.

And no, diagnosis at most shops isn't free. You do the diagnosis then they take it somewhere else to get it fixed? Typically you do the diagnosis to get the job, then apply the cost of the diagnosis to the labor charges. Parts places do it for free in the hope they will supply the parts.

BTW - you should know all of that. Part of owning a car, IMO, is knowing how to keep it running or having enough knowledge to know you do not know enough to fix what is wrong.

Big Mack

 

So how exactly would I approach them? Just drive up to Autozone, and be like, "I got a couple of problems with my car and the indicator lights are on, I was wondering if you'd be able to tell me whats wrong with it by reading the codes?"

There is an Autozone that is about 2 miles from my place, I'll drive up there later today.

 

thats actually exactly how to do it...

Diagnosis is not free, but it also more than just pulling codes... Pulling codes gives you an area to look at, but a real diagnosis actually goes as far as testing the problematic parts...

 

Any luck with your car Moses?