> I have a 2000 Legacy the check engine light keeps coming on. The last
> time I took it to the dealer they said that it was the code for the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> miles) and are there any symptoms of a bad alternator I should be
> looking out for?

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> If we had the actual code number, we might be able to advise
> specifically. Do you have any receipt with a code numebr on it? My
> instincts tell me that your alternator is fine - but....
I do have the code on a receipt somewhere, but it is at home and I am
at work, I will look for it when I get home.
A little bit more background on the situation, I had just been ignoring
the light and it would come on, stay on for about three days and then
go off, the car would continue to run fine. Then in September, the
third time this happened, I took it to a local independent car fixer
and he told me that it was the front oxygen censor and that there was a
recall on this sensor and that I should take it to the dealer to have
them replace it. He even printed information out for me about this
recall. So I took my car to the dealer, the dealer told me it was the
alternator and since they didn't know the history of the car, they were
just going to clear the code and if the light came on again to come
back.
So, now I don't know who to believe, they both gave me the same code. I
have an appointment at a third car place in about a week and a half to
have new tires put on, maybe I will just wait and have them look at it.
John Rethorst - 29 Oct 2006 23:06 GMT
> I had just been ignoring
> the light and it would come on, stay on for about three days
This isn't your question, but I think that's too long to ignore a light.

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mulder@x.files - 30 Oct 2006 01:44 GMT
>> If we had the actual code number, we might be able to advise
>> specifically. Do you have any receipt with a code numebr on it? My
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>have an appointment at a third car place in about a week and a half to
>have new tires put on, maybe I will just wait and have them look at it.
There is no code for a bad alternator. If it fails it may (but won't
always) cause the "battery" warning light on the dash to come on.
Sometimes they go bad in a way that does not turn the light on.
A shop with the proper diagnostic equipment can fully evaluate your
electrical system and determine the condition of the alternator and
battery.
Autozone will read codes for free, you should get them to do so and
post the actual Pxxxx code here. Just stating that it's for an oxygen
sensor is not sufficient to narrow the problem down, as there are
quite a few different codes that are 02-sensor related. Even with the
code however, there can be multiple causes. We can sit here on the
Internet and speculate, but only a tech at a dealer or shop with their
hands on the car can find the actual problem.
So somebody along the line here is feeding you BS.
Jim L - 30 Oct 2006 01:47 GMT
The Schucks here in Redmond, WA will read codes for free also.....Jim
>>> If we had the actual code number, we might be able to advise
>>> specifically. Do you have any receipt with a code numebr on it? My
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> hands on the car can find the actual problem.
> So somebody along the line here is feeding you BS.