check engine light

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100MPG @ Jul 25 2006, 11:11 PM) [snapback]292447[/snapback]</div>

1) A loose gas cap could cause it. As for percentage and how common, hard to say.

I would get the codes checked before buying. It could be any numbers of things in lists like http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/index.php. Can you tell me which it is w/o retrieving the code?

Why would you buy a used Prius at all? You do realize that it's not eligible for the $3150 tax credit (http://www.aceee.org/transportation/hybtaxcred.htm#table), right? Also, do keep in mind that unless the credit is extended, it will be 1/2 after Sept 30th for Toyota/Lexus hybrids (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/business/14755573.htm).

If I were in your shoes, I'd go to a couple dealers, put down a deposits and give them multiple package and color choices to maximize the odds that something they have coming in matches what you want.

 

you can take it to a mechanic and have them give it a quick look-over to make sure it's in good shape... many will do this for a very low cost. of course, you do want to find out what they charge before doing that

you don't want to take this car without knowing what's causing that light.

 

Are you sure it's the Check Engine Light (picture of an engine), and not MAINT REQD, which appears around 5000 miles as an oil change reminder?

That can easily be reset by turning OFF with odometer (not trip) displayed, then pressing power twice while holding down the trip meter reset (WITHOUT pressing foot brake), for at least 5 secs until 000000 displays and light goes off. (see owners manual for details)

 

Just to confirm, the check engine light on the 05 is the icon of an engine with the workd CHECK undernearth it. MAINT REQD is the light to chagne your oik. My check engine light came on two weeks ago so I had my dealer check it out while I did my 30,000 maintenance and they ran a computer scan. The problem was a faulty ignition coil. It was not a major problem that I couldn't drive with. They had to special order the part and I had it replaced last week for free. I was still under my warranty.

 

there are several hundred causes of check engine lights ranging from completely harmless to complete disaster...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100MPG @ Jul 26 2006, 05:10 PM) [snapback]292871[/snapback]</div>

Sounds fishy now. What state is this car in? Have you run a Carfax check on it to see where it's been registered (think flood damage) and whether it's got a salvage title? Why would someone be dumping a 05 Prius w/5K miles for $12-$15K less than a new one? Have you seen what used Priuses normally go for?

Go put yourself on waitlist at >1 dealer now while you're still messing w/this...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(100MPG @ Jul 26 2006, 05:10 PM) [snapback]292871[/snapback]</div>

Sounds exactly like this salvage car on ebay. Did you buy this one?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cagemo @ Jul 26 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]293030[/snapback]</div>

Scary... the seller only has 1 positive feedback. I wouldn't buy a car from anyone w/so little history on Ebay.

 

No need to spend money on a scanner(a good one costs 350-500 minimum). Have autozone scan it for free. This will tell you just what the code is and what system to check from there and should never replace a technician diagnosing it further.

 

oh boy. so the guy couldn't even tell you what caused the check engine light and it's a salvage title (as in, no warranty)? that car got hit bad enough to total it, and it's clearly not all fixed. good luck.

and i'd take the body shop up on that one year warranty because that fender is not on there correctly.

 

I'd go to carfax.com and get a vehicle history report... $20, but could save you some headaches (assuming it's not too late, since the auction's closed.) You've got the VIN, which is all you need to do that.

Good luck, and I hope for your sake it's nothing major. That's really cheap for a 2005 though... would make me nervous.

 

just to show you what i'm talking about-

correctly lined up fender. see circled areas- no jagged edges where parts meet.
[attachmentid=4271]

incorrectly lined up fender. see circled areas- jagged edges. i found a few just glancing at it. definitely try to get that rectified.
[attachmentid=4269]

 

It may be too late to help this guy very much. Anyone else considering buying a used car should always, always, always:

1. research the VIN. A car repaired after a big accident is often bad news. A salvaged car is always bad news. A Prius is complicated; so much damage can go undetected and un-fixed or not fixed completely correctly, it's not funny.

2. pay a (Prius certified) technician to check out the car thoroughly before you buy it.

 

Good eye, Galaxee. If the visible defects are that bad, the work below is even worse.

100mpg - I saw the auction when it was running, and was curious enough to call the Seller. I think his name was Cameron? He had neglected to list NAV, new Seller with no reputation, etc, so car was not getting many bids. But lots of red flags in his answers - drivers airbag was deployed, seller lives in CA but car is in AZ, couldn't get me access to car to inspect it before auction ended, and the car had not been inspected by Arizona DMV and received a new "salvage title". Seller claimed he did not know that was even required.

Seller just seemed way too flaky on top of the other risks of a salvage car. AND - two other bidders cancelled their bids! If nothing else, it had bad ©arma.

Be extra careful on this one, and very diligent. I don't think you can trust Seller for any info on this one. Not saying he's necessarily malicious, but he is at a minimum disinterested and uninformed about the car.

 

if the car does turn out to be a real mess, i think the seller has enough mistakes/enough omissions of info (intentional or not) that you could back out of the sale claiming the car was not as advertised. the biggest thing i'd use is the fact that he claims the warranty is still existing. but it's a salvage title. i think that right there could get you out of this sale if you needed it. also the "the body panels are all straight" statement is clearly not true.

at the very least, take the car to a solid mechanic and a body shop to be evaluated before handing over that $15k.

let us know how this turns out, 100mpg.