Check Engine Light Repair/schaumburg Area?

Updated on August 14, 2008
K.B. asks from Schaumburg, IL
15 answers

hi! i have had a recent problem w/my check engine light on in my van i took it to autozone who looks up the codes for free and it seems i have a problem w/my fuel line - either the gas cap is bad (but i replaced it and light still on) or i have a small leak - possibly in the line?) anyway the car runs normal otherwise - my husband was off work all summer of work due to an injury and we are strapped right now - so i need to find the cheapest way to get it fixed w/o being ripped off - problem is i have to do it soon because the new IL law about you cant renew lic plates if you don't pass your emmission test (which i am due for) and i will not pass that test w/the check engine light on. I really want to be able to go somewhere dependable and affordable who don't try to mess w/you kwim? any recommendations? pepboys? firestone? again i live in the schaumburg area and if you had experience w/check engine lights please share! thanks!

OOPS ADDED INFO**** wow so many ideas! thanks ladies! the ones asking for more info - sorry - forgot that! i have a 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan. and btw i DID go to Autozone all ready that is where i got my "codes' that led me to it being the gas cap or an evap leak.. since i replaced the gas cap the light still won't go off.... hmmmm

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So What Happened?

Well thanks everyone for your replies and advice - i have an update! we decided to disconnect the battery because my brother who has a mechanic friend said that some cars will not turn off the check engine light just because the problem was fixed -it has to be manually reset by the repair guy or by disconnecting the battery - for some reason i was freaked out to disconnect it (which is why i never did it before) but decided to give it a try - as i said we were SURE it was because my fuel cap was bad and we did get a new one (just the light never went off) well sure enough the battery was disconnected and my light went off! i have been driving it now for 3 days and it has not gone back on - which means it had to be the gas cap and just needed to be reset - if i had a diff problem i would "think" it would have went back on.... so i went to the Emission testing today and passed w/flying colors!!! WOOOHOO! how crazy for 2 months or so i have been staring at that stupid light wondering what else could be wrong and all in all it was all ready fixed-while i think its a good idea to have those lights obviously - it is set up in a way that forces you almost to take it in and spend tons of $ for something more simple - it would be nice if it was set up different - and in my case - putting the new cap on should have automatically turned the light off .. that is so frustrating to me. Either way looks like things are good - if by some weird chance i get a problem again - i will check out those places you all recommended (i wrote them all down) as i would rather have a dependable place to go to even for future things than a car dealership.

thanks everyone! :)

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D.E.

answers from Chicago on

My husband's entire family has used the Marathon at Wilke and NW Hwy (by Arl Racetrack)for 20+ years. Ask for Ken or Mike. They've always been very good about letting you know what needs fixing now...and what can wait, especially if you're on a budget. ###-###-####, Tell them the Efflandts recommended you.

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

My brother (Steven) works at a shop in Schaumburg. He's an honest kid and if you tell him that you need it done as cheap as possible, he'll do that for you. He can be reached at ###-###-####. Tell him T. recommended you.

Good luck.

Edited to add: The name of the shop he works at is DJ's. Leslie also posted to recommend them.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

How long has it been on? Mine used to go on in my old car for a few days, maybe a week and then it would go off. I was told that it could have been from bad gas that I put in or if the cap wasn't on right. You mentioned you had it ckd out, so maybe that's not the case or maybe they are just telling you that to sell you something...

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

What kind of van is it? What year? If you have an older van you might not have to have the test. My husband works on our cars all the time - one is a van and has helped his cousin. Perhaps he can guide you to what you need more specifically so you can go to the right place. And then moms in your area might find you someone that is close, cheap and trustworthy. For ex.if it is a 1994 Chevy. Or a Ford Aerostar or a Dodge or whatever...If you have any brothers/sisters/friends/cousins anyone who can go to a place like Victory auto wreckers for instance, once it is figured out what it is that could save a of money. If your van is a Ford or Chevy oftentimes you can take your car to the site and get a computer reading of the exact problem. It take only a little while.There is something like a thirty dollar charge. Also Autozone. The computer reading at a business like Ford will be read by their mechanics and they will tell you the millions that it will cost or then you can check out your neighbor's sister or brother armed with your information.

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

HI K.,

It is hard to find a good honest mechanic, but I think we have. After taking our daughter's car to 3 places getting estimates for over $1500, we had a guy in Schaumburg fix it for under $200. Burd's Auto Bay is in Schaumburg on Barrington Rd. north of Schaumburg and south of Golf Rd behind the Thornton's gas station. There is an auto mall there, so be sure to look for BURD'S, Bill Burd is the owner and the one to talk to. Please say that Kris Mandley sent you. I just had my Dodge Grand Caravan in last week with electrical problems and turned out just to be the battery.

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

If your car was already hooked up to the machine and repaired, chances are that the wiring causing the light to be on needs to be changed. If the machine shows nothing else is wrong! The wiring can probably be changed when you're not so strapped. It's annoying but only a light. That wiring usually entails pulling out the dashboard; big and time consuming job.
Safety 1st. good luck

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M.D.

answers from Chicago on

I'm a big fan of Vermiglio's on Golf, just east of the Higgins intersection, next to Midas. As for cheap, you really need a brother who is a mechanic if you want cheap ;-)

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

K.

Replacing your cap was a great start! Sometimes when check engine lights come on due to a code that your computer had tripped, they need to be reset and do not automatically go off. Most shops will scan your vehicle for free on their scanners and are a little more accurate that Auto Zone. (different type of dyno scanner) Any shop that will not scan your vehicle for free, do not use!!!! I personally am in the automotive industry and have been for 20 years combined. A lot of times, this can be a quick inexpensive fix, sometimes not, no guarantee. On the upside, in the state of IL, you have 3 opportunities to fix your emissions, but make sure the shop you take it to is an EPA certified shop. There is an amount of money to be spent, but after that amount, they will waive you for a year. IF you need any help, feel free to contact me. I know a lot of people at a lot of the shops in the northwest suburbs and also wholesale parts suppliers. (my hubby ran one for 13 years, and I currently run one and have worked in several area shops.)
Good luck to you! I know how stressful this can be!

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L.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hello K., I know just where you should take your car. Call D.J.s . He is at 831 W. Wise Rd. Schaumburg. Phone number ###-###-####. He is very honest and does very good work. He has an amazing reputation. Ask for Dan and tell him L. sent you. Good Luck- you won't regret it.

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I.C.

answers from Chicago on

As Megan said, You check engine light has to be reset. I believe that you'd have to take it to the dealership of the make of your car. You never told us the make of your car, so I wouldn't know where to send you. If you have a Chevy, Woodfield has great customer service. So does Lincoln-Mercury on Golf Rd.

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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

I use Schaumburg Motor Works on Wise Road, just west of Roselle. He is across from the Speedway gas station. They can do all kinds of repairs. I have used them for years. They know their stuff; they don't rip you off. I have checked their prices against other shops and they are the best price and the most knowledgeable. Their phone # is ###-###-####. Address: 435 W. Wise Road. Alan answers the phone - George is the mechanic and owner. Tell them M. with the Astro Van referred you - Good luck!

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

Be very careful about going to an agency. I took my windstar last summer because the light on the panel signaled there was a problem with emissions. I paid over $100 to have it checked at Arlington Hts Ford and first they came to me with an estimate of $900. When I read the quote, it was more like $1400! I reluctantly paid and went to an independent mechanic I was referred to (not in this area). He tried to duplicate the codes Ford gave me and could not get them to come up. He did find they never recommended the flushing of my radiator, change the transmission fluid, and a hose needed to be replaced. Far less than $900! The light went off and I went for emissions testing the next day and passed. We left on a trip 3000 mile trip the next day and the car ran beautifully and I got great mileage. Light has not come back on in a year. Ford refuses to pay me back my money Ford Motor will not stand by customer to dealer. My husband is disabled. I have a son who is a mechanic but his wife doesn't want him helping us so I too must watch the costs. We need the van to transport my h's wheelchair. You have some good personal referrals here to try with independents. Agency repairs are paid by commission to service writer so they will beef up your bill.

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

You need to get that code erased from the computer. You can go anywhere, doubt they would charge you for it. I had that happen on my 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan and the guys at the shop just reset it.

Good luck!

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J.P.

answers from Chicago on

i have always trusted Bill's Village Marathon in Elk Grove on Busse between Landmeier and Devon. I have also taken my car to Merlin's on Meacham in EGV and had no problem with price or service. Good luck!!!

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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

We are very happy with the Merlin shop at Meacham and Biesterfield, in the same plaza as McDonald's. They have always been very honest. Good luck.

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