May need help/advice in Myrtle Beach

[WobblyElvis]

My wife and two girlfriends took my 06 Malibu down to Myrtle Beach on Friday. After stopping over night and filling up around Wytheville VA and getting back on the road the check engine light came on. It runs fine and when they settled into the resort in Myrtle they called me. I suggested they take it to the local Autozone to have the codes read. You'll like this....multiple codes for misfire including cylinders 5 and 6. Also wanted to sell her a catalytic converter although there was no catalytic efficiency code present. Keep in mind this is a 4 cylinder automobile. Gas mileage seems to be the usual. I have suggested she disconnect the battery ground for 10 minutes and re-install. This is pushing the limit of her abilities. I may have her get the codes read from another auto parts store but I want her to enjoy her vacation.

Any one here from Myrtle Beach? Suggest an honest shop?
I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[PimTac]

Check the gas cap. The thought that they read a misfire for 5 and 6 on a four banger suggests a rip-off for sure.

 

[skyactiv]

Driving a 13 model year old GM car into a foreign country.

I'd take it to a dealer. They will probably have more knowledge on the exact fix in a quicker manner than
Joe's "We fix all brands" garage.

 

[JLTD]

I'd just tell her to check the gas cap as PimTac said, and just drive it. Investigate when she gets home - if it was the gas cap, it will reset after a number of restarts.

 

[Chris142]

If the light Is blinking it needs to be fixed asap. If it's on solid drive it home

 

[spk2000]

Could be plugs or wires maybe even the coilpack.

 

[CrAlt]

Originally Posted by WobblyElvis
I have suggested she disconnect the battery ground for 10 minutes and re-install.

And then she will get stuck with a no-start when the connector comes loose after her messing with it.

She said the car is running fine. If the light isn't flashing like Chris142 said then just let it go.
Why ruin the trip messing around with an old car trying to fix a non-emergency situation? Just deal with it when she gets home.
Half the old cars here are driving around with their check engine lights on

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted by Chris142
If the light Is blinking it needs to be fixed asap. If it's on solid drive it home


Bingo! Who cares if the CEL is on, if it's not blinking!? Quit bothering your wife!

 

[WobblyElvis]

Tried the gas cap thing and I think she is capable of the battery connections but ya never know. The car is old but well maintained and runs like a top. I think the best thing is to try another auto parts code reader.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted by WobblyElvis
Also wanted to sell her a catalytic converter

What did they think she was she going to do? Swap it out in their parking lot?

 

[MrMoody]

That printout is nuts. Does the VIN on it match the car?

Anyway, not blinking, not worth continuing to disrupt their vacation.

 

[WobblyElvis]

You bring up a good point. I haven't seen the actual paper myself. Perhaps it was mixed up with another car. As for changing the cat, there's three women there, I'm sure they could do if they put their minds to it. Should lefty my OBD2 reader in the car. LIve and learn.

 

[atikovi]

Originally Posted by WobblyElvis
My wife and two girlfriends


You got a sweet thing going there.

 

[geeman789]

Originally Posted by CrAlt



She said the car is running fine. If the light isn't flashing like Chris142 said then just let it go.
Why ruin the trip messing around with an old car trying to fix a non-emergency situation? Just deal with it when she gets home.
Half the old cars here are driving around with their check engine lights on

THIS ^^^

Don't mess with non-critical issues 1000's of km's from home ...

 

[Gebo]

Originally Posted by JLTD
I'd just tell her to check the gas cap as PimTac said, and just drive it. Investigate when she gets home - if it was the gas cap, it will reset after a number of restarts.


This is what i would do. +1

 

[FADEC]

Originally Posted by atikovi
Originally Posted by WobblyElvis
My wife and two girlfriends


You got a sweet thing going there.

Lucky guy!!!

 

[Egg_Head]

if it bothers you take it to a chevy dealership, MB is over run with bandit mechanics who moved down to rip off the tourists.

 

[WobblyElvis]

Turns out the diagnostic was for a different vehicle. Problem occurred after buying gas in Wytheville VA. May have gotten some bad gas. Told her to leave it for a day and if the light doesn't go out, have the codes read at a different location. If it's an ignition problem I'm afraid it may totally quit on the return interstate. This car has a coil-ignition mode cassette that can kill the entire ignition system. We will see....


. May have those two components replaced if the code reader says they are failing. We will see....

 

[MrMoody]

Betcha 5 bucks it's a P0420.

 

[WobblyElvis]

Could very well be. Had that code before, went away after having an exhaust leak repaired. It was 12 inches past the cat but set a code. These engines also tend to set a lean code as the original ECM programming was incorrect. GM want a few hundred dollars to fix that, Their mistake.