Fellow Austin C5 owners, my "check engine" light has come on a couple of times over the last week, and I want to understand why it's lighting up. Nothing appears to wrong. I've got a couple of questions:
1. Is there a way to check the "codes" to see what tripped the light?
2. Anyone have a good, honest mechanic that won't steal me blind? I always dread taking the vette in for service because I feel like I'm at the mercy of the shop...they can basically tell you anything they want to make money, it seems.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (Under Par)
There are quite a few places around that can pull the engine code for $50. Then you can determine if it is something to take to a mechanic or not. You might even get lucky and find somewhere that will do it for free.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (AM.MSCL)
AM.MSCL,
Thanks for the advice. Do you (or anyone else in the Austin Area) know of a good Corvette mechanic that they TRUST to the nth degree? I got abused by Henna last time I took my car in for a check up...felt like they should have at least bought me dinner first :eek: .
Also, does anyone else have this similar problem where the check engine light has come on for a few hours, then disappeared? thanks.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (Under Par)
Mine was tripped by an oxygen sensor. I took the car in, the guys found the problem, had to order the part (of course it wasn't in stock), and I took my car home. That evening after I washed my car, the check engine light didn't come on anymore. I had them replace the O2 sensor anyway. The guys at Henna did the work and I had no problems.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (Under Par)
Gary Kropat at Austin Corvette worked on mine once. He wasnt cheap, but he didnt rip me off either. He did a good job. He is on North Lamar, south of Braker Lane. His phone number is 339-8388.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (Under Par)
Don Hewlett is the LCC sponsor. They seem to have competent mechanics and don't rip members off, or there would have been discussion on this when sponsor renewal came up.
Kropat has a good rep as well. But if it is still under warranty, take it to Hewlett.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (Under Par)
Pull the codes using the steps in the Tech Tip Section, and email me or post them here. Then I'll look them up for you. This way you'll know what's causing the "Check Engine Light" to come on and when you take it in to a shop for repair(if it's needed) you'll know exactly what wrong. :cheers:
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (97C5ENVY)
Quote:
Pull the codes using the steps in the Tech Tip Section, and email me or post them here. Then I'll look them up for you. This way you'll know what's causing the "Check Engine Light" to come on and when you take it in to a shop for repair(if it's needed) you'll know exactly what wrong. :cheers:
Location: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (longhorn_C4)
Quote:
Gary Kropat at Austin Corvette worked on mine once. He wasnt cheap, but he didnt rip me off either. He did a good job. He is on North Lamar, south of Braker Lane. His phone number is 339-8388.
Cant say I agree with you there Longhorn. Took my 86 there with a bad fuel pump and walked out with a $400 bill.
1 hour to diagnose the failed fuel pump $75 (I'll buy this since I couldnt diagnose it on the side of the road)
1 C4 fuel pump $180 (would have cost less from a dealer)
1.5 hours to install $112 (right....I can do one now in 30 minutes including hammering down a beer and eating a sandwich)
+ taxes (I guess Uncle Sam needed his share :))
All in all, I'd say I feel pretty hosed from that experience. I would have to recommend against Austin Corvettes.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (VetteNoob)
I have never gotten hosed by Austin Corvette. Everything that I have had done there has been done properly and at a reasonable rate.
I would recommend them. As with any shop there will be good and bad experiences. For example, I would not take a rental car to AutoTek. I have not seen any mechanical work from them that has impressed me.
Re: Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation (Duntov)
I pulled the codes - here's what I'm getting, followed by how the car is acting:
P0354 - Ignition Control #4 Circuit A
P1571 - ASR Desired Torque
and occassionally, I get P0300 - Engine Misfire Detected
I have an intermittent condition where the car feels like it's losing power for a split second as I apply the gas, then it's normal, then it "slips" again (lose power), then normal...this doesn't happen all the time, but it's becoming more regular over the last week or so.
The only thing I've really done to the car (under the hood) is Blackwing. I did notice a problem with a very small hose that connects into the rubber "accordian" looking tubing just above the coupler that has the corvette logo on it. This small hose had a frayed end and was coming unseeded. Tonight, I tried "fixing" it with some electrical tape to keep it seeded properly. I'm not sure if this is what's causing the codes or the symptoms I'm having. Also, could it be something as simple as replacing the fuel filter? Any advice would be truely appreciated. I'm going nuts worrying about this!
Would appreciate any local advice on what this problem may be, how serious it is, what the fix might be, and where to take my car for this type of problem (thanks for the recommendations of the Austin Corvette and Hewlett).
Corvette Store
Austin - Need Mechanic Recommendation
