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Comment by toes on May 13, 2013 at 10:03pm

Uploaded 3 photos here: http://www.smartusainsider.com/profile/toes

Comment by toes on May 13, 2013 at 9:23pm

Yes, the scan gauge or ultra gauge (, or other) just plugs into the OBDII port to the right below the steering wheel. There's a little hinged plastic cover over it. I unclipped the cover and put it in the glove box, ran the cable under the steering wheel/console to the left and up in between the gap between the dash and sidewall. I'll post a picture.

Comment by toes on May 13, 2013 at 9:14pm

Just so you know: the codes are not very specific as to the issue with the vacuum system. It can be the valve, the cap, or any other source of a vacuum leak in the system and will provide the same code for any of those issues. So: Ed would than have to visually inspect a number of possible failure points; hence his reluctance to shoot from the hip on this ... And hence also my annoyance with any of these modern day convenience sensors. They are really not providing very useful info at all. Maybe MB diagnostics can read out more info from the OBDII than our aftermarket gauges. Who knows?

Comment by Steve and Pam Campbell on May 13, 2013 at 9:00pm

Yes sir Tobias, I've read a number of comments on several issues. Don't get me wrong, and perhaps my comments about loving the car up until now were a bit misstated from being frustrated, (especially as I was to take a 300 mile round trip in the car this Friday!), but we haven't had any other issues with the car either, EXCEPT for the same thing with the tire pressure monitor. The car seems to be running fine, and doesn't sound any different at the moment either.

Hopefully we can get this ultra gauge purchased and installed, and see what literally pops up code wise and go from there. Tobias, I assume the gauge is easy to install?

Thanks again....:)

Comment by Steve and Pam Campbell on May 13, 2013 at 8:55pm

Thanks all....:)

Jill, Pam called several auto stores looking to get a "free scan", and they told her they would not do one, as the codes would be "meaningless" to her, thinking she's an idiot. They instead quoted her the prices for their own diagnostic tests!

We were looking at a Scan gauge a long time ago, but never purchased one. Now, it looks like this Ultra gauge is the way to go, so we'll pick one of these up. We use the site Fuelly to track our mileage, but I'd much rather have a gauge like this to trouble shoot any other problems down the road, and to track our mpg and such...

Comment by Jill Hobbs on May 13, 2013 at 8:44pm

You can also reset the codes by unhooking the battery for 10 minutes. That won't get rid of the cause. If it was the gas cap the check engine light should stay off. Your best bet is to go to an auto parts store and have them read the code. Then give the code to Ed, who should be able to tell what the code means. Good luck.

Comment by Ed Glassgow on May 13, 2013 at 8:24pm

As a matter of not knowing the specific issue I will not quote the purge valve. I don't want to quote you a price on something unless I am absolutely positive it will fix your problem. I am sorry I can't be more help than that at this time.

Comment by toes on May 13, 2013 at 8:21pm

Steve and Pam. Yes, it's Tobias and yes it's the purge valve, and yes it's disappointing. You can read a whole slew of comments regarding this on the scoa forums. My check engine light has come on twice in the 5 years I've had the car and after a reset it's been fine. No other detectable symptoms in terms of the car running rough or anything, so I am getting to an "ignore it" mode. The first time it freaked me out (it is the "check engine" light after all). Now I am just listening as to whether there are any noticeable strange noises or behaviors of the car. The last time (a few weeks ago I used the ultragauge to delete the code and it seemed to not be working initially, but the next day it was off again and has stayed off - knock on wood). These are the blessings of modern cars with fully sealed gas tank systems. FWIW, I always click the tank lid multiple times to make sure it is completely shut. I had a driver seat belt sensor failure, which required a seatbelt replacement (kind of like the rain sensor replacement when getting a new windshield) - otherwise it's a great little car. Another one of those pet peeve sensors is the tire pressure monitoring system -- what a pain in the ... :) Pushing the reset button a lot when the weather changes --

Comment by Steve and Pam Campbell on May 13, 2013 at 8:08pm

Wow...thanks toes, or as I recall, it's Tobias? Forgive me if I'm wrong here...

This gauge looks like a better one actually than the Scan Gauge, so thanks for the info and link! We'll probably go with this one for sure...

So, I assume by valve, meaning this "purge valve"? If so, can Ed perhaps give a cost on this please? If it is a valve or part on the car of some kind, still a bit disappointing this would go down on a 3 yr old car with 32,000 miles!

Comment by jwight on May 13, 2013 at 8:06pm

"It's just a bit much to have a dealer or auto parts store, or auto service center charge $50-$100 for the diagnostics just to get the code,..."   The auto parts stores will read the codes for free.

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