PS, by real dealer I mean Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet not "mom and pops auto sales"

 

Well I did file a complaint with the EPA. I hope they will investigate just in case it is common practice with them. Will also notify the BBB don't know if that will do any good. Thought of contacting local TV station but do not know if I want the stress.

 

Did try to replace the computer today and the car ran like crap. Came up with a P2308 code. Was able to clear it but did not get to check the cruise to see if it worked. Did not think it would be wise to drive with a bad miss. Also pulled instrument cluster and found out it is an LED that they use for a light. Did swap it with an other one but still had same results no check engine light. Contacted company that sent rebuilt computer and they said may have bad wire harness. Checked by manifold but could not see any thing melted. Wires were soft and flexible. Maybe they sent me a bad computer? Installed old one and car ran OK for now.

 

Found out problem today. Went to trouble shoot instrument cluster circuit board so I removed the gages to gain access and when I turned on the key low and behold the check engine light came on. I held the gage face plate up to the sun light and you will never guess what I found. They filled the hole where the check engine light emblem is with black silicone so you could not see that the light was on. Talk about deceitful. I just hope I can do something legal against them.

 

it wouldn't matter if he says he didn't do it, the fact of the matter is. that vehicle was at his lot last, if he is any kind of dealer they should have checked all this out before they put it on the lot. There isn't a judge in this country that would side with the dealer in something like this.

 

Technically, this is tampering with emissions equipment which is a federal crime. Sadly, you have to prove WHO tampered with it. Since FL has no inspection/emissions testing I doubt there is much you have to stand on legally as the dealer can easily claim he didn't do it and without direct proof he did the judge cannot side against the dealer.

The better questions is that does FL has any sort of lemon law? I know for sure they do on NEW cars, but it seems there is little recourse for used cars.

 

Well found out the problems and why they disabled the check engine light and how. After going nuts checking wire harness, instrument cluster, replacing computer,and LED on circuit board with no luck and also had trouble with first rebuilt ECM. I talked to Jim at Auto Computer Exchange and he said there had to be something wrong in the instrument cluster. Had a few other people say that also. So I took it apart again and this time I left the gages off so I could see the circuits and LEDs. As soon as I turned the key on the check engine led lit up. I'm thinking what did I move or do to make it work when it dawned on me. I held the face plate up and I could see the oil symbol, the high beam symbol but no check engine symbol. Took it out in the sun light and saw what was done. They filled the hole where the light would shine through with black silicone!Can you believe it! Jim sent me a new ECM I installed it with a new instrument cluster from ebay and all my troubles were gone. The thing that gets me the most is all they had to do was replace the ECM. That cost $100 with a life time warranty. That also fixed my cruise, shutting off problem ,and the van stalling out every so often.
Did report Flamingo Auto Sales to the department of transportation dealers devision but they said they could not prove who did it and I bought the van as is. EPA said they cant do any thing and Flamingo Auto Sales does not belong to the BBB so all they could do is forward my complaint. Live and learn.
The only good thing is they did sell the van to me for a lower price and even with the repairs I still saved a couple grand compared to the other dealers that had low mileage vans.
Lord willing I will not have any more issues with it.

 

GREAT! Glad to see you solved the whole mystery! Sucks that YOU had to do it. I figured dealing with the dealership like that, you would fall into that "You cant prove it" garbage. At least you know have a good running vehicle with a lifetime warranty on the ECM. I would recommend go egging the dealership but not only is it illegal, but I think its against the rules of the forum...

 

I beleive that what goes around comes around so I would not want to be in their shoes.