Should I raise the "BS" flag??

[Silver Bullet]

Ok... I have had a check engine light on for three weeks, and my mechanic pulled a code for the (EGR) sensor when it first came on. Since (AUTO-ZONE) advertised free engine scans, I thought I'd pop in and double check to see what code(s) they came up with. My engine light had come on perfectly just before I pulled in, and stayed on "Couldn't believe it". Well.. They opened up shop at 8:00, and by chance I was there at 8:02. I walk in the front door, and three guys were having a coffee break behind the counter. I told them I have a 93' SHO with the 3.2L, and I would like them to check my engine. The first guy asked me - Is the light on or off now (I said it's ON)... Passed that test. The second guy says - It's your "GAS CAP"....... WTF!! I tried not to laugh, and said "What on earth does a gas cap have to do with my engine problem"?? He says... There's a sensor in your gas cap that sets off the check engine light if you don't screw it on tight enough.

Is there a sensor in the cap?? I think I was fed the biggest BS line ever by a store employee... Yet, I can't raise my BS flag until this gas cap issue is confirmed (BS)

Take care guys thumb

<small>[ May 04, 2003, 06:04 AM: Message edited by: Silver Bullet ]</small>

 

[LaTechSHO]

LMAO bs ..........sensor in your gascap??????

LOL that is a great one.... it apparently wasn't coffee they were drinking wink

 

[Silver Bullet]

OK... Now I am getting ******

Thanks for replying!! I'm not calling you a liar because I myself think the guy's full of sh$$t uptohis ears, but I swear that if anyone else raises a BS flag about them giving me the gas cap "CRAP"... I am getting off work early Monday morning, and I am going back to their store to give them a serious piece of my mind. I have always been a good customer, and I went into their store with an honest problem..........

I totally don't appreciate being lied to rant

*If I could, I'd take this one all the way up to the top manager of (AUTO-ZONE)

<small>[ May 04, 2003, 06:08 AM: Message edited by: Silver Bullet ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

The guy behind the counter took a small bit of possibly valid information, mixed it with ignorance (ie, lack of knowledge), and fed you distorted information.

OBD-II vehicles can trigger a CEL if the gas cap is not installed properly. Consult the owner's manual of any 96 and later Ford products and you will see that the first thing to do if a CEL is on is to check/reseat the gas cap. These vehicles have a vapor retention and recovery emissions system that will detect a faulty or improperly sealed gas cap among other things. Your 93 is an OBD-I system and as such does not have the same level of evaporative emmisions control and testing as do the later models.

The only thing in your gas cap is an inlet air vent to allow air into the tank to replace the volume of fuel consumed.

Were you lied to? Nope.

Were you given incorrect information? Yep.

Were you given a proper level of service and respect that is expected of by a customer? Absolutely not. This issue is what needs to be brought to the attention of a manager. If the employee's demeanor was dismissive and condescending, the manager definitly needs to be informed.

You still need them to read your stored codes unless you choose to read them yourself.

Steve.

 

[FAST4DR]

Silver bullit,

Print out Steve's response and hand it to the guy who said it was your gas cap. Very well said, Steve. wink

 

[Mr Anonymous]

FWIW, you could have avoided the whole experience by just finding a paperclip or short piece of wire and reading the codes yourself. The procedure has been covered countless times here and takes all of a minute or so to complete. The links to sites with tutorials on how to read your own codes is in my signature.

 

[Silver Bullet]

WOW... Steve summed everything up "PERFECTLY"!! I agree with his reply 110% (VERY WELL WRITTEN). I have printed this out, and will be stopping by to give it to the store manager. The more I think about what Steve said... I absolutely "WAS" dismissed, as if they couldn't have cared less about my problem. This is totally unacceptable behavior, and needs to be addressed. It makes (AUTO-ZONE) look bad, and also fuels me to drive a few extra miles to (Advanced -Auto) to get the customer appreciation I deserve.

Thanks guys... I appreciate everyone's input thumb

<small>[ May 05, 2003, 04:51 AM: Message edited by: Silver Bullet ]</small>

 

[rangerj]

Silver Bullit,

If you go back to Auto zone and tell the employee what an idiot he is, you willl make an enemy. If you go back and explain to him (or her) why he is wrong regarding model years prior to OBDII standards, then you could make a friend.

I doubt that the individual was trying to be an idiot, but rather it was a case of ignorance. We are all ignorant about something.

If the dude is not man enough to addmit he did not know something, then he is ignorant beyond repair! Deal with someone else.

Steves post is an excellent example of "learned" technical knowledge, and the art of written communication. We can all learn from it. Thanks Steve.

Silver Bullit have you checked your muffler bearings lately? rangerj

 

[91 Plus]

My freind took the gas cap off some girls car the other day because he said it would trigger a check engine light!I didnt belive when he siad that!But,On some of the newer cars I guess it will have a check engine light if the gas cap is not on there!It was a 98 or so cavalier!I never heard of it before!I know it dont on the SHO but some cars it does!

 

[revhardSHO]

Is there a sensor in the cap?? I think I was fed the biggest BS line ever by a store employee... Yet, I can't raise my BS flag until this gas cap issue is confirmed (BS)

yes its time to raise the BS flag

bs

 

[Silver Bullet]

After all this, I believe I have forgotten to do something.........

Here it goes!! bs bs bs bs

 

[MATT HOWARD]

hold up fellas i have a 2000 ford lightning and if the gas cap is not on the check engine light will come on due to an emmissions failure( it happenned to me) but i dont think ford started doing this until 99 or newer vehicles

 

[nothingtoseehere]

WOW, I NEVER have problems with my AutoZone. all the guys there are friendly and more than willing to help. now that they got the HS chicks ouot of there who couldn't even get me the tool I needed to rent even after I pointed out the tool and corresponding ID number on THEIR list.

 

[qiksho]

MATT HOWARD:
hold up fellas i have a 2000 ford lightning and if the gas cap is not on the check engine light will come on due to an emmissions failure( it happenned to me) but i dont think ford started doing this until 99 or newer vehicles

Actually my exgirlfriends 96 mustang is the same way. Her check engine light has come on numerous times because of the gas cap not being tight enough.

 

[Soopacharged]

I have a '97 Accord and the gas cap must be screwed on tightly or else the CEL comes on. When you go to Honda that's the first thing that they'll ask you. You can lower your flag now.