[B_$krilla41510]

Hello I just recently purchased a 1996 super sport Impala with 16,000 original miles no modifications whatsoever.
After driving it off the dealership I noticed it had low gas. Like the needle was in the red already.

i put a full tank of unleaded regular. While driving it on the freeway I noticed the check engine light was on? Any clue as to what this is? The bulk of the mileage was done by the original owner after that it had 2 more owners and they both barely drove it

both owners barely made 300 miles on it? Does this check engine light have something to do with it being not driven much?

 

[B_$krilla41510]

I’ve been listening to the engine and it doesn’t seem to be making any irregular sounds or noises? Feels like it runs smooth?
Here’s a picture of what the owner last had done

 

[96Lt1civi]

If I had to guess, it's likely emissions related.

Autozone should be able to read your check engine light and tell you why it's on.

Or, you can buy a Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool on the Amazon, it Bluetooths to your phone and you can read the code yourself.

This is what I bought
Amazon.com: Panlong Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII Car Diagnostic Scanner Check Engine Light for Android - Compatible with Torque Pro: Automotive

 

[B_$krilla41510]

If I had to guess, it's likely emissions related.

Autozone should be able to read your check engine light and tell you why it's on.

Or, you can buy a Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool on the Amazon, it Bluetooths to your phone and you can read the code yourself.

This is what I bought
Amazon.com: Panlong Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII Car Diagnostic Scanner Check Engine Light for Android - Compatible with Torque Pro: Automotive

Thank you I will purchase it but for the mean time I will go to autozone

 

[Z09B4U]

After driving it off the dealership

I would suggest you have a licensed mechanic document the scan then approach the dealership about fixing the problem.

I do not know my way around OBD2 (for the LT1) but if the PCM can show key cycles this will show if the dealership was clearing the PCM to prevent the check engine light from showing. When buying a car it should be checked by a independent mechanic and should be driven enough that the PCM has checked for "emissions ready"

Shady car sellers will always "be surprised" by a dead battery. This is their way of hiding trouble codes. The more bold just keep clearing the code hoping the buyer will not have a basic inspection done.

 

[96Lt1civi]

With OBD2, the light may go out after a few key cycles, but the code will stay stored until cleared with a scanner. Even if the issue that caused it is fixed.

 

[B_$krilla41510]

With OBD2, the light may go out after a few key cycles, but the code will stay stored until cleared with a scanner. Even if the issue that caused it is fixed.

With OBD2, the light may go out after a few key cycles, but the code will stay stored until cleared with a scanner. Even if the issue that caused it is fixed.

I took it to AutoZone they scanned it here is the results I will take it back to the dealership

 

[B_$krilla41510]

It read that it’s a catalectic converter issue

 

[96Lt1civi]

That's very helpful, and honestly unsurprising for a 25 year old car.

 

[B_$krilla41510]

Will driving it more mess things up? Because the dealership was pretty fare from where I’m at if it will then I will ask them if they can at least send a tow truck

 

[Z09B4U]

Could just be a bad O2 sensor, wiring, fuel problem, OR cats. Get a mechanic involved to look at the car and live data from the PCM.

Just throwing expensive parts at the car may not fix it.

 

[MWP]

Could just be a bad O2 sensor, wiring, fuel problem, OR cats. Get a mechanic involved to look at the car and live data from the PCM.

Just throwing expensive parts at the car may not fix it.

Ditto that--more likely a sensor, the plug wires that were replaced, or a gummed-up injector.

Got a p0420 Code? You May Need an Oxygen Sensor, Or You May Not.

Got a p0420 code and told you need to replace your O2 sensors? There are other triggers for oxygen sensor codes that are quite common. Do your research!

blog.openbay.com

 

[B_$krilla41510]

I just literally bought it Friday night I will take it back now and tell them they gotta get it right or to refund my dang money back.

 

[B_$krilla41510]

I thought it had something to do with the car never if rarely driven and now it’s doing 80 on these busy Bay Area freeways?

 

[B_$krilla41510]

According to the documentation it was last registered in Georgia October 2020 so if it was a catalectic converter issue wouldn’t that have showed up in October 2020?

 

[Z09B4U]

I thought it had something to do with the car never if rarely driven and now it’s doing 80 on these busy Bay Area freeways?

Would you accept this excuse if the car was a year old?

According to the documentation it was last registered in Georgia October 2020 so if it was a catalectic converter issue wouldn’t that have showed up in October 2020?

The problem shows when a part goes bad.

 

[Z09B4U]

I just literally bought it Friday night I will take it back now and tell them they gotta get it right or to refund my dang money back.

Ditto that--more likely a sensor, the plug wires that were replaced, or a gummed-up injector.

I would start with the company that replaced the wires. You are now caught between the dealer and the shop. Again a third party diagnostic would be a good idea.

both owners barely made 300 miles on it? Does this check engine light have something to do with it being not driven much?

It may have something to do with a expensive fix or one that could not be resolved so they flipped it to cut their losses.

 

[B_$krilla41510]

I don’t think I would except that excuse if the car was a year old however if the car was a year old and already was broken in the right way then yes my excuse is justifiable.

As you can tell my knowledge on cars is novice I was just thinking that if the car never gets driven then how can the catalytic converter have met its demise? Again I’m very limited on my knowledge on these type of semi old cars well I guess 25 years is a long time.

 

[B_$krilla41510]

Again my warranty states I can give it back in 7 days with no fault on my half or expenses. I will bring it back today and let the dealership work that out with the sellers in Georgia.

I found this car at a Subaru dealership! I wasn’t even looking specifically for this car I just it was odd they had one turns out the owner of the dealership is a big fan of these cars 96ss to be specific and bought it for his personal collection.
He bought this one because of its non modified state and low mileage to replace the one he had which had 60k mileage on it.

Turns out his Sales guys put the wrong one up for sale!! Lol He tried to renick on it but I already signed the contract

 

[B_$krilla41510]

Again my warranty states I can give it back in 7 days with no fault on my half or expenses. I will bring it back today and let the dealership work that out with the sellers in Georgia.

I found this car at a Subaru dealership! I wasn’t even looking specifically for this car I just it was odd they had one turns out the owner of the dealership is a big fan of these cars 96ss to be specific and bought it for his personal collection.
He bought this one because of its non modified state and low mileage to replace the one he had which had 60k mileage on it.

Turns out his Sales guys put the wrong one up for sale!! Lol He tried to renick on it but I already signed the contract

He tried selling me on a cloned SS he had and said it was better then the cherry Burgundy one I was buying from him lol you should of seen the look on his face and his sales managers face they literally had a full on argument in front of me

since I couldn’t understand what they were talking about since it was in a different language my guesses is he was saying, “you idiot why did you put this one up for sale”

maybe he will get his car back if they don’t get it right