I am a paranoid car owner, mostly because my 2004 SXT Stratus that I leased from 04-07, and now buying is almost paid off, so I want to keep it for a little while before it dies on me! Anyway, today my Malfunction Indicator Light came on. Naturally I pulled out my owners manual to see what it could be, and it wasn't too specific. So, I called a garage and have an appointment to take my car in in the morning.

Though I'm concerned what is wrong (can it be my transmission even if the car was running ok to me?), I am more concerned about getting ripped off. I live an hour away from my dads buddy who usually fixes my car, and I just can't take the risk or find the time to take it so far away. So, anyone have any experience with this? What are common problems besides what the manual includes? If you know common problems, do you know average prices?

I'm a worry wart! Thanks!

 

$5 - $3000 is the common prices for anything to turn on the malfunction indicator light. and of course the owners manual won't say what caused the light to be on... the shop manuals do that which are about as thick as the Bible... which would be hard to carry in the glove box

what can turn on the light is ANYTHING which would cause the vehicle to be non-compliant with emissions laws... like leaving the gas cap loose turns on the check engine light because an open gas cap will cause hydrocarbons to enter the atmosphere which is a direct cause for SMOG

 

I'll pray it's not the $3000 problem! Ugh, for that I'd be better off getting a new car!

 

you asked what it could be and how much.... well based on the detailed information, that's the approximate range of repair costs.

 

Well it was $260, so no where near $3000! Yay for that. Repair talk is like another language to me, so I remember something about a cam sensor and other stuff. I'm satisfied. I love my Stratus and since they don't make them any more, I just want to keep it going....

 

based on your description and asking what will it cost, best guess was between $5 to $3000 well your cost was in that range, fortunately for you it was on the lower end.