Check Engine Light

A couple weeks ago, my check engine light came on when I was in Billings. A safety feature on my car is that the cruise control is disengaged. Alot of help that was. Anyway I made an appointment for the car and while they are at it they can check out the brake light that is out, my driver side window doesn't roll down and the lights on my radio are out.

I made the phone call to tell them what I needed done. I was told that since my radio works and the cd player works then it would be better just to leave that alone. Since I no longer have my warranty I would have to buy a whole new radio console which was around $700. Well I have gone all this time without knowing what radio station I'm listening, so I can continue on this route.

I told the technician was I needed done, my check engine light, brake light and the drivers side window. He told me that on the window it would depend if it is just a switch or a motor. Motor would be more money. I personally think it is a switch because the other three windows will roll up and down.

My appointment was for last Saturday at 8:15 am. Jennifer went with me because she was off and we could spend the day shopping. Since it would take them a couple hours to fix my car we could just hang out in the mall. (Across the street from Subaru)

We arrived at Subaru and got checked in. I am also due for my 60,000 mile check up. He said that it will only cost $875. I told him that I will have to schedule that for another time. I just don't have $875 to spend right now. It was going to cost enough just to fix the stuff I want. Anyway, I gave them the keys to my car, gave him my cell phone number. They would run the diagnostics on it and will tell me the price and I can authorize from there. Jen and I went to the mall. Nothing was open until 10:00, so we walked around then got a drink.

10:00 rolled around and still no phone call. Decided to walk back to Subaru to check things out. I figured that if I was hanging around they would work on things faster. Well, no word yet on the car and he assured me that they would call. I told him that we would wait, but was told that there was no way to tell when it would be done. Back to the mall we went. About a half hour later I got the phone with the diagnosis.

My check engine light is one because the air flow sensor is out and the air filter was clogged. That is going to cost me $652. Yikes. To fix the brake light, that is going to cost me $34. To fix the driver side window, the motor is out so that will cost $500. Well, I need the check engine light fixed, that sounds pretty serious and I need the brake light because I could get a ticket for that. Decided not to get the window fixed because I managed all summer with it broken. Besides I have air conditioning and the other windows will roll down.

Five hours later and $700 lighter from the checkbook I got my car sort of fixed. They are really stressing the importance of getting that $900 service done or I may be on foot. I really find it hard to believe that it will cost $900 to check the car. He said that they change the spark plugs and make sure the belts are in working order.

Gary wasn't too happy about the cost, but it did need to be done. Next time I will change the air filter myself and save me the money. I'm sure I can buy an air filter cheaper at an auto parts store. I guess I can live without cruise control.

My fear is that once I hit a certain mileage that my car will just quit. Who knows how they program the computers in the cars. People I have talked to were in shock when I told them the cost for the service.

Gary feels that since we have the lifetime oil change on the car they are going to get their money from us some other way.