Super7 Turbocharged February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 1. Recently I came across allegations that used car sellers disabling warning lights to cheat potential buyers. 2. Apparently if the seller refreshes the ecu, the warning lights will temporarily go into 'sleep mode' and not indicate any existing fault for a few hours, or a day or so, during test drives!!! 3. The warning lights will only show up a few days after the unsuspecting buyer buys the car. Sometimes the faults are costly to repair! By then, the buyer can only suck thumb. 4. Some mechanics told me such 'hidden' faults can actually be diagnosed with the plug-in diagnostic instrument during the vehicle evaluation before the purchase. I am not sure how many sellers will allow the potential buyer to do the diagnosis, or which evaluation centre eg AA, VICOM, provides such a service in their evaluation? Do feel free to share your experience / knowledge on the above here. Thank you. PS -- Seasoned, discerning buyers of used expensive, sophisticated cars may know better ways to avoid being cheated by such sellers. ↡ Advertisement 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shull Turbocharged February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 You can actually buy your own OBD tools and use an android smart phone to do the diagnostic. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nzy Twincharged February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 You can actually buy your own OBD tools and use an android smart phone to do the diagnostic. Nowadays these OBD scanners very cheap. Those bluetooth ones can get from taobao for around $20. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kb27 Supersonic February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 2. Apparently if the seller refreshes the ecu, the warning lights will temporarily go into 'sleep mode' and not indicate any existing fault for a few hours, or a day or so, during test drives!!! Well, I don't think you can disable it long enough. ECU codes can be cleared, but once you start the engine, it will most immediately come up again as the fault is not rectified. However, the cheater way would be to remove the bulb, so the CEL or ABS or other lights does not come up. If you turn the ignition key on, without cranking the engine, you would see these lights up. If it does not, it means the bulb is either blown or deliberately removed as in the case of "cheating" the buyer. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 Do the repairs and bring the bill to small claims tribunal and claim them lah. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achtung 6th Gear February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 Well, I don't think you can disable it long enough. ECU codes can be cleared, but once you start the engine, it will most immediately come up again as the fault is not rectified. However, the cheater way would be to remove the bulb, so the CEL or ABS or other lights does not come up. If you turn the ignition key on, without cranking the engine, you would see these lights up. If it does not, it means the bulb is either blown or deliberately removed as in the case of "cheating" the buyer. Yup, u r certainly right. Some would remove the CEL bulb. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged February 25, 2014 Author Share February 25, 2014 You can actually buy your own OBD tools and use an android smart phone to do the diagnostic. Yup, the Bluetooth OBD 'adaptor' thingy apparently can display lots of info on smart phone! Delfi gauges etc are having their days numbered liao!!? Do the repairs and bring the bill to small claims tribunal and claim them lah. Hahaha, and wait for outcomes. If it's a private seller, no use? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 Yup, the Bluetooth OBD 'adaptor' thingy apparently can display lots of info on smart phone! Delfi gauges etc are having their days numbered liao!!? Hahaha, and wait for outcomes. If it's a private seller, no use? Private seller, you know where he stays. Go pour paint and hang pig's head. LoL... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged February 25, 2014 Author Share February 25, 2014 Well, I don't think you can disable it long enough. ECU codes can be cleared, but once you start the engine, it will most immediately come up again as the fault is not rectified. However, the cheater way would be to remove the bulb, so the CEL or ABS or other lights does not come up. If you turn the ignition key on, without cranking the engine, you would see these lights up. If it does not, it means the bulb is either blown or deliberately removed as in the case of "cheating" the buyer. Thanks If buyer is blur and doesn't take note of 'missing' warning lights, but continues using the car, BIG TROUBLE ! Private seller, you know where he stays. Go pour paint and hang pig's head. LoL... Nowadays, must at least overturn his car!!! LOL... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Achee 4th Gear February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 Thanks If buyer is blur and doesn't take note of 'missing' warning lights, but continues using the car, BIG TROUBLE ! Nowadays, must at least overturn his car!!! LOL... If the warning lights are relating to some safety issues such as engine overheating, brake malfunctioning etc. and if the buyer is killed in an accident, it is tantamount to murder! 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVT Supercharged February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 If buyer is blur and doesn't take note of 'missing' warning lights, but continues using the car, BIG TROUBLE ! Can't be that blur until basic warning lights like handbrake, oil, temp, will not notice right? When we turn on the ignition, almost all the warning lights will appear, including battery. Then after a while it all goes off, left the handbrake light on (unless that is disengaged as well). So unless the buyer really blur type, he is sure to notice something is "not right" mah.... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackyv Turbocharged February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 Can't be that blur until basic warning lights like handbrake, oil, temp, will not notice right? When we turn on the ignition, almost all the warning lights will appear, including battery. Then after a while it all goes off, left the handbrake light on (unless that is disengaged as well). So unless the buyer really blur type, he is sure to notice something is "not right" mah.... You'll be surprised by how many blur sotong who knows nuts about car but can drive around.... 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrocarbon Turbocharged February 25, 2014 Share February 25, 2014 Can't be that blur until basic warning lights like handbrake, oil, temp, will not notice right? When we turn on the ignition, almost all the warning lights will appear, including battery. Then after a while it all goes off, left the handbrake light on (unless that is disengaged as well). So unless the buyer really blur type, he is sure to notice something is "not right" mah.... I got a blur female driver friend! Her handbrake up still can drive off, she only realised it when she stopped and wanted to pull handbrake again, and realised it was up all the while.. My GF TP also forgot release handbrake, TP still give her a chance and tell her about it. So, such blur drivers exist. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GLZT 6th Gear February 26, 2014 Share February 26, 2014 I got a blur female driver friend! Her handbrake up still can drive off, she only realised it when she stopped and wanted to pull handbrake again, and realised it was up all the while.. My GF TP also forgot release handbrake, TP still give her a chance and tell her about it. So, such blur drivers exist. Think the rear brake pad also Chao ta already. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged February 26, 2014 Author Share February 26, 2014 If the warning lights are relating to some safety issues such as engine overheating, brake malfunctioning etc. and if the buyer is killed in an accident, it is tantamount to murder! Exactly. Used car dealers who disable the safety warning lights are putting the lives of drivers n passengers at high risk. I got a blur female driver friend! Her handbrake up still can drive off, she only realised it when she stopped and wanted to pull handbrake again, and realised it was up all the while.. My GF TP also forgot release handbrake, TP still give her a chance and tell her about it. So, such blur drivers exist. Is there any car which comes with beep beep beep when the driver tries to drive without releasing the hand brake? Btw, the dong dong dong key removal reminder drives me crazy everytime!! Can't be that blur until basic warning lights like handbrake, oil, temp, will not notice right? When we turn on the ignition, almost all the warning lights will appear, including battery. Then after a while it all goes off, left the handbrake light on (unless that is disengaged as well). So unless the buyer really blur type, he is sure to notice something is "not right" mah.... The blur ones won't have it written on their forehead, hard to tell, but they are there!! Remember some go out forgetting to wear undergarment!!? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrocarbon Turbocharged February 26, 2014 Share February 26, 2014 Is there any car which comes with beep beep beep when the driver tries to drive without releasing the hand brake? Btw, the dong dong dong key removal reminder drives me crazy everytime!! IDK, her's was an auto lancer. Don't think her handbrake was all the way up ba. Then again, when I drive auto, my brain also error a little one.. Still prefer manual cars.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deckbuild 6th Gear February 26, 2014 Share February 26, 2014 Exactly. Used car dealers who disable the safety warning lights are putting the lives of drivers n passengers at high risk. Is there any car which comes with beep beep beep when the driver tries to drive without releasing the hand brake? Btw, the dong dong dong key removal reminder drives me crazy everytime!! The blur ones won't have it written on their forehead, hard to tell, but they are there!! Remember some go out forgetting to wear undergarment!!? Most of the newer cars comes with alert function when the handbrakes are engage. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe6057 1st Gear February 26, 2014 Share February 26, 2014 Confirm Suzuki Swift & ignis dont have sound if you forget to release hand brake while driving.. ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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