Check engine light question.

[R1GG5]

Well, not really a check engine light but a ABS code. I recently bought a 2002 GMC Sierra Truck from a local dealer. Everything was fine at first until the ABS light and Parking Brake light came on at the same time. Anyone who knows these trucks knows that the ABS computers are crap and are NOT cheap. The truck came with a 2 month or 2000 mile warranty. I took it in and he told me it was a loose battery cable and sent me on my way, this was also the diagnosis from one of his mechanics. I called BS on the loose battery cable but what could I do. He also told me that they found 10 codes in the ABS computer but cleared them all. after driving it for another week, the lights are back and I am pissed. My question is this: Isnt there a law that says a repair facility cannot reset codes without fixing the actual problem?
If anyone knows this can you direct me to some form of documentation. I would like for the guy to let me take it back to the dealer who will be impartial in the matter and give me a fair diagnosis and fix the truck.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[te72]

Perhaps there should just be a law that says "Don't buy GM vehicles manufactured after 1972 and before 2006"? My advice would be to take it to an impartial mechanic if you haven't already. I had a similar problem with a 2000 Miata I bought a few years back. Dealer said nobody in town would work on it (no Mazda dealers anywhere near here), CEL was on, checked the codes, it came back as a clogged cat. Wasn't a big deal, so I let it go.

 

[hvyman]

Well, not really a check engine light but a ABS code. I recently bought a 2002 GMC Sierra Truck from a local dealer. Everything was fine at first until the ABS light and Parking Brake light came on at the same time. Anyone who knows these trucks knows that the ABS computers are crap and are NOT cheap. The truck came with a 2 month or 2000 mile warranty. I took it in and he told me it was a loose battery cable and sent me on my way, this was also the diagnosis from one of his mechanics. I called BS on the loose battery cable but what could I do. He also told me that they found 10 codes in the ABS computer but cleared them all. after driving it for another week, the lights are back and I am pissed. My question is this: Isnt there a law that says a repair facility cannot reset codes without fixing the actual problem?
If anyone knows this can you direct me to some form of documentation. I would like for the guy to let me take it back to the dealer who will be impartial in the matter and give me a fair diagnosis and fix the truck.

Thanks for any advice!

Im pretty sure there is no law. The only reason they dont reset without fixing is so that you spend more money so they fix it.

There is the lemon law tho so either they have to fix it within 3 trys or they have to buy it back.(i think it applies to used cars too)

 

[R1GG5]

Perhaps there should just be a law that says "Don't buy GM vehicles manufactured after 1972 and before 2006"? My advice would be to take it to an impartial mechanic if you haven't already. I had a similar problem with a 2000 Miata I bought a few years back. Dealer said nobody in town would work on it (no Mazda dealers anywhere near here), CEL was on, checked the codes, it came back as a clogged cat. Wasn't a big deal, so I let it go.

There is nothing wrong with GM vehicles. Just dont buy the ones that GM made SUPER cheap. i.e. cavaliers, luminas, etc. GM trucks are second to none. I have a 2000 Cadillac with 130K that I have only put a water pump in.


I am going to call them and tell them that they will pay to have it fixed at an impartial mechanic, which my preference would be the local GMC dealer. My problem is that I was told these codes were cleared and they are pertaining to my stinking brakes. I am married with 2 children and my family rides with me on errands. If something were to happen and the brakes failed because they neglected to pay attention to the codes I would be highly pissed off. I guess we will see how this goes later today......

 

[Sil]

There is nothing wrong with GM vehicles. Just dont buy the ones that GM made SUPER cheap. i.e. cavaliers, luminas, etc. GM trucks are second to one (Ford). I have a 2000 Cadillac with 130K that I have only put a water pump in.


I am going to call them and tell them that they will pay to have it fixed at an impartial mechanic, which my preference would be the local GMC dealer. My problem is that I was told these codes were cleared and they are pertaining to my stinking brakes. I am married with 2 children and my family rides with me on errands. If something were to happen and the brakes failed because they neglected to pay attention to the codes I would be highly pissed off. I guess we will see how this goes later today......

You need to check your local lemon laws, but the best way is to be nice about it, and if its a reputable dealership, they'll do what they can to help you fix it. At the very least try getting parts at dealer cost or half labor if they do need to fix it, and won't take care of it on the house.

 

[hvyman]

As long as you dont have a fluid leak you shouldn't have any problems other than abs not working properly. If abs is not working it will just lock up the wheels if you slam on it.

 

[te72]

I think it was mostly their cars, yeah. Trucks not so bad I guess. I'm just rather irritated with my SS. It cost 3x what a cheap econo box GM does, and yet pretty much everything in the interior is the same cheap crap. Even the C5 Vettes had the same stuff, and they were 40k+. Sorry, don't mean to derail your thread, I just hate to see people having similar 'bugs' with all the little crap that seems to go wrong with GM's.

Hope it all works out for you though!