Why is the yellow light on my dash on that looks like a small engine?

Question

Hi, I was having my car towed and it fell off the tow truck. When I turned the car on, it had the check engine light on, so i went to the local professionals at autozone to have it diagnosed by a Pro. The kid that hooked up the machine said I needed O2 sensors but I just changed them. By the way I drive a 96 Saturn 1.9 litre engine. So he talked me into buying them again and I did and installed them. Well the PO281 was cleared but now I got code a PO235. I am lost and I dont want to go to a shop and get ripped off. Can you believe that they charge to figure out what is wrong, I dont want to pay. I am thinking the tow company should fix it since they forgot to chain my car down and put the parking brake on. I never had a CEL on before.

Answer 1

Hi, I don't know much about cars, but I know lots about claims.  Since this started happening after your car fell from the tow truck, it shows that more than likely the problem was caused by them.

May I suggest you file a claim with the tow truck company?  If they balk at you, then ask for their insurers information.  They may offer to have your car repaired without getting insurance involved.

If not, then file a claim with their insurance company.  They, at least, may pay for the diagnostic from an Auto professional - just to see if it was possibly caused by the tow truck fall.  At least you'll get a free diagnostic, and if it's their fault - they may even pay for the repairs.

Good luck, my friend.

Answer 2

Your first mistake was thinking the kids behind the counter at Autozone are professional at anything other than getting people to buy parts whether they need them or not.

P0281 Cylinder 7 Contribution/Balance Fault which has nothing to do with an O² sensor.

P0235 Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Malfunction is your new error code.

Go to the dealer, have whatever the problem is fixed, pay the bill, then go to the tow company with a copy of the bill and ask them to reimburse you.  If they don't, take them to small claims court.

No car should be on a tow truck without tie downs and safety chains.  

Answer 3

The answer I am getting for that code is

P0235 Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Malfunction

If you do in fact have a turbo on you might want to check all the hoses and vacuum lines as with a hard hit it would have knocked one off. I would agree to get the tow truck company to pay for any damage and all parts needed since it is their mistake.

Answer 4

Sounds like you need a reliable shop. I do lots of electrical and mechanical diagnosis and repair, but I do not hesitate to head for my favorite shop when a CEL issue crops up, to have a DRB test performed. This usually gives the information needed to finish the job myself but sometimes I will still hand the job over to the full time professionals even after 30 years of wrenching both full and part time!

I suspect they only chance of getting the tow company to pay for the repairs requires 2 things >  First - A third party opinion that the damage was directly caused by the car coming off the tow truck. Second a trip to your local small claims court.... sorry.

Answer 5

Sound like maybe you should get it checked at a dealer, and then bring them to small claims court.

Answer 6

If you just changed the o2 sensors then that wasn't the problem.  A lot of new technicians use code reader as if its written in stone.  Check for leaks in the intake and exhaust system.

Answer 7

the net lists p0235 as a turbo boost sensor? i would have it scanned by someone else. towing and the cel might set an abs related cel but should not set an 02 light