Secaucas, NJ -- Auto Mechanic (Paterson, Secaucus: codes, price, shop)
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Hi,
I am sorry to ask such a simple type question but can anyone recommend an honest, reasonably priced mechanic familiar with the new car's computer systems?
I have a Toyota Rav 4 and during this last freezing winter some of my dashboard lights went on. I just need my computer re set and I do not want to go to a dealer that may or may not fabricate all these problems with the car that may not be true.
I have been driving a number of months now with these lights on. I suspect that when I took the car to the Western New York area that secondary to low freezing temps it somehow effected the computer. I have googled this and it seems others have had the same concerns.
However I am now staying temp in Secaucas, NJ due to work and I do not know anyone reputable to go too.
Thank you in advance.
Any mechanic can read the diagnostic codes that are tripped by the lights. In fact, you can go to any Autozone and they will read the codes for free, let you know what they are and reset them if necessary. By going this route, you will at least have an idea what the codes are and whether or not they are something that may need further attention.
Out of curiosity, what lights are on? There are five that I can think of off the top of my head and those would be the check engine light, ABS light, tire pressure monitor light (depends on year), aribag light and washer fluid light.
Generally, those lights aren't coming on unless there is an actual issue or the cars ECM has an error.
Actually there are some, most even, honest mehanics, but as suggested the large chain auto parts stores can read those computer errors free with a hand held scanner that connects to your car then give you a printout so you have an idea of what's going on. On many cars you can reset the thing by disconnecting the battery for a minute or so. Then if there is still a problemthe lights will come back on to store some fault codes.
I just remembered, if the car is somewhat new, the Fed Gubbermint requires automakers to warranty emissions related problems for a certain number of years, here it is, 2 years/20k miles on all things and 8 years/80k miles on ceertain emissions parts :
Wow. Thanks Everyone. Let's see the lights that are on the dash board are: VSC, Brake, ABG, and that little car sliding light. I have been driving in and out of Manhattan every day with them on so I know the car is working.
Trust me if I had the money earlier and if I knew where to go I would have done it long ago.
I do know about Auto Zones but when you are not from an area you don't know where to go. (I don't remember seeing any ).
I will call S&S auto !
Thanks for the head's up!
Wow. Thanks Everyone. Let's see the lights that are on the dash board are: VSC, Brake, ABG, and that little car sliding light. I have been driving in and out of Manhattan every day with them on so I know the car is working.
Trust me if I had the money earlier and if I knew where to go I would have done it long ago.
I do know about Auto Zones but when you are not from an area you don't know where to go. (I don't remember seeing any ).
I will call S&S auto !
Thanks for the head's up!
All of those lights are tied together and most likely resulted from an ABS fault which could be anything from a sensor to the ECM. The sliding light and VSC are the stability and traction control system, which depend on the ABS system to work. I'm guessing the "ABG" is actually "ABS", that and the brake light being on indicate a fault in the ABS system.
Basically right now you are driving without anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control. While this won't hurt the car, those systems also won't be available to you in case of a panic stop or emergency situations. Personally, I would skip the local mechanic and take it to the dealer to get it taken care of as there are multiple reasons why those lights could be on and they will be able to better diagnose and correct them. These are also some rather critical safety systems, so I wouldn't leave it to chance.
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