Sorry for the pitty party, but needed to vent my frustration. I was going to sell my car to pay off some bills. Last evening the guy comes by to buy it. He is test driving it...The service engine light comes on. They guy is still interested, but wants to know what the light means. So, instead of getting out of debt, I will be getting more debt to sell it. I am taking it by the mechanic this afternoon to see what is wrong with it. If it is too major, I will just park it and try to sell it later....muc later. It seems like everytime you think you are getting ahead, you get knocked back down. I just want to give up. I am so tired of fighting this fight(finances/bills)

Oh well, thanks for letting me vent.

sending you some ****very minor (cheap) repairs that need to be done to fix your car*** vibes.

Sorry Honey....It might be just a minor reason why the light came on..I know with my 2002 Trailblazer the service engine light came on and I panicked..come to find out it was from me not making sure the gas cap was on tight enough..Hugs to you and to hope you have a better day..

Awwww,,,, that really sucks.

Hopefully it is just the gas cap or a quick repair. Good luck!

What year is the car? Newer models have that light come on when it's just time for service (due to the mileage).

There's a reason they call those 'idiot lights'. It may be nothing at all. Hope it's a cheap repair. Praying for you to sell the car for mucho $$.

My dd's car would do that when it was time for an oil change too. Also you can take it to Auto zone and they will put it on their computer for free, but it only checks out the engine I think.

Oh I praying it is a cheap fix and that you can sell it to help with your debt. Try not to get discouraged. Keeping lots of good thoughs for you. Hugs.

I too would take it to Auto Zone, they can tell you what the problem is. Ours went on inmy newer car because of the gas cap, it wasnt on tight enough.

I am hoping for you it's a cheap fix but do please let us know the outcome and hugs to you!

I'm sorry. :(

Hope it is an easy cheap fix too.

can be a variety of issues, some silly, some major.I've know many people who will take the fuse out becasue the mechanics can't find anything wrong! What make and year is the vehicle? Have a few "connections" that might be able to give some direction on what might cause it to.

Sometimes if you've stalled it, it'll go on, it should cancel itself, but sometimes it's goofy and doesn't.

I work in car rental and have seen so many models do this for silly reasons

1. Gas cap mentioned above
2. Oil Change needed
3. 30K, 60K mileage service needed
4. Low fluids (transmission, oil, etc)
5. And this is my favorite: Some car's will do this if the last fill up occurred while the car was running. Light won't go out until next fill up with car turned off

Hope it's just one of these simple fixes for you

:hugz: I'm sorry and hope it isn't anything serious!!

Mine comes on when the oil needs changed, and I mean on the dot.
I'm a confident that it will be a cheap fix.

Sorry all this bad stuff is happening to you. Hopefully things will get better.

I agree with the above posts...if the car has been running perfectly, then chances are it's not anything major. Keep us updated!

I hope its an easy fix

Take it to Auto Zone or an equivelent type of auto store. They will check it for free.

Hopefully it is something VERY minor! (((HUGS)))

:hugz: So sorry this is happening to you. As everyone else has said an auto parts store can put their tester on it and read the code to let you know what is wrong. Most do this for free. Good luck and hope it's a simple fix.

If it's a pricey fix, maybe you could just offer to sell it for less to the guy?

Let us know how it goes!

Awwww,,,, that really sucks.

Hopefully it is just the gas cap or a quick repair. Good luck!

I'm with Karen, Good Luck!

Go to an Auto Zone and get the code read. Tell me the number and I'll ask hubby(master mechanic) what it means and maybe it will be something simple that you can fix yourself. I need to know the make/model/ year and I'll get back with you.

Thanks for all of the good thoughts and prayers. It is a 1997 Lincoln Continnetal(sp???) It has been a wonderful car. I have had it for 4 1/2 yrs. We bought it used before it went to auto auction. So, really we dont have alot of money invested in it. Its just the principle and thought of getting alot closer to being out of debt. It has 113000 miles. It could be the gas, but my hubby is saying something about a mass air flow sensor...whatever that is. Its supposed to be about $80 but no guarantee that that is all that is wrong. So, do we do it???I guess we will. We have a guy that is coming to look at it tonight. He knows that the light is on, but didnt seem too concerned. So, maybe he's a mechanic??? I will keep everyone posted. Hopefully, we will know more by Sunday. I am so glad I have people here that understand and that I can vent too.

Thanks again everyone.

Dawn

Keeping my fingers crossed for Sunday to bring good news! :remind:

I'll be thinking of you on Sunday -- and praying that it all works out the way you want.

Thanks for all of the good thoughts and prayers. It is a 1997 Lincoln Continnetal(sp???) It has been a wonderful car. I have had it for 4 1/2 yrs. We bought it used before it went to auto auction. So, really we dont have alot of money invested in it. Its just the principle and thought of getting alot closer to being out of debt. It has 113000 miles. It could be the gas, but my hubby is saying something about a mass air flow sensor...whatever that is. Its supposed to be about $80 but no guarantee that that is all that is wrong. So, do we do it???I guess we will. We have a guy that is coming to look at it tonight. He knows that the light is on, but didnt seem too concerned. So, maybe he's a mechanic??? I will keep everyone posted. Hopefully, we will know more by Sunday. I am so glad I have people here that understand and that I can vent too.

Thanks again everyone.

Dawn

Keep us updated. My engine light has been on for awhile ( :ugh: ) and the code indicates that it's either the Mass Airflow Sensor or the O2 Sensor.

I don't know of any honest/reliable mechanics, so I'm skerred to take it to the shop.

Reminded me of a funny: I got it a friend's car once and saw a little Post-It on her dash, but nothing was written on it . . . she said her dh put it there because he was tired of looking at the check engine light. :lol:

Joining everyone else in hoping that yours isn't a major problem and that you won't have to resort to a Post-It. :laugh:

it could mean there is a vacume hose not connected that is what was wrong with my moms car

Well, the latest update.....We have the check engine light off. The guy came by to purchase the car, however, he wanted to write us a business check. So, we still have the car. He is supposed to bring cash by on Tuesday. This is so frustrating. We have sold cars in the past and it wasnt this big of a problem. I'm not sure I want to do this ever again.

Thanks everyone.

Dawn

Hang in there, it will work out one way or the other. Just try to think, if it is meant to be then fine, and if not there is a reason. I know you are anxious, I would be too, but it will work out. Sending you good vibes .

*hugs* I have never had the guts to sell a car own our own. We did sell a motorcycle ( I guess it's similar), and he brought us $7000 cash. I freaked out, because how do you know that it's not fake? :) Everything turned out ok, but still I am a skeptic these days. I hope he turns up with the cash and your debt starts going down!