very suspicious [CEL] check engine light

[ricktb]

I visited a new service shop today, and after chatting with there mechanic for 10-15 minutes, I got back in my car and the check engine light came on right away for the first time ever and stayed on until I got home.. I'm suspecting maybe a mechanic did something to make this light come on, while I wasn't looking.

I attempted a keydance on-off-on-off-on ignition but the CEL didn't give me any trouble codes. IS there anything they could have done quick-like to make this light come on? Its so weird it came on exactly after parking there.

Please help, I don't want to accuse anyone of wrong doing but suspicious.

ps My car seems to run perfect as usual otherwise.

-Thanks

 

[Cs4g63]

Did you have your hood popped at any point when you werent around?

 

[spoonman]

WTF. It sounds like your paranoid but, do a check for the cel "maybe" they did do something like unplug a major sensor under the hood that would send a code, like the bcs.

 

[ricktb]

yeh my driver side window was open, bah probably just paranoia.. I'll try to figure this one out. Any tips to make the keydance work? Shouldn't I at least get a 55 "no fault detected" code

I will check the sensors, ty

 

[luv2rallye]

Only 2g non-turbo (because it's a chysler engine) has the key dance.

 

[SpooledGSX98]

First, why did you even leave the shop parking lot if you started it and the CEL turned on?

You have every right to walk back in there and ask w t f .

Second, it's probably something simple. Pop your hood, check any connectors you can see...reconnect if necessary... check your oil level while you're under there, make that a good habit.

If it drives just fine, drive it back to the shop and tell them simply "You guys just worked on my car and now the CEL is on" any shop in their right mind would pull it in and pull up the code and tell you what it is, and if its simple enough or a technicians error, they should fix it, clear the code for free.

If they want to charge you just to pull up the code, say no thanks, and go to Autozone. They'll pull the code and offer to clear it for you for free (last time I checked)...

If all else fails, or you cant wait... disconnect your neg. battery cable for a few minutes and reconnect it (dont arc the + and - with your tools)

***if you have a factory stereo, make sure you know the security code for your stereo or else you wont be able to jam out to Rick Astley on the way to work. hope that helps.

You will probably see a P0420 code (catalyst efficiency below threshold) if you have an aftermarket exhaust.

 

[AWDstylez]

You mean you just stopped and talked to the guy, but they didn't actually work on the car? And you think that in the time you were talking to him he used his darth vader like powers to break something on your car?? I'm gona have to go with a negative on that possibility.

Just go find out what the code is for.

 

[ricktb]

jam out to rick astley nah no work was done I just stopped by this place.

Yea today I found a shop that will pull the code for free.. I will get to the bottom of this. Pretty sure its a coicidince. Thanks for all your helps

 

[ricktb]

I did as spooledGSX suggested and disconnected the negative terminal on my car for about an hour.. When Iplugged it back in the check engine light turned off.. guess my car just glitched.

Thanks for the good tips everyone.

-Ricktb

 

[SpooledGSX98]

for shoooooo.

just keep on eye on your coolant temp, make sure there's no leaks or odd noises.
If it is a persistant problem, the light may come on again, at that point you should have it checked to see what the light is.