MAP sensor ?

[James5036]

I failed state inspection today because my e-brake is always on due to what the dealer said was a faulty MAP sensor, and this was before I really knew anything about my car and I still don't to a degree...this was 4 years ago.

My mechanic(s) excluding the dealer, do not get any codes from the computer about the MAP sensor, as it probably requires another diagnostics computer, but in reading the boards about the MAP sensor, I haven't found anything as to why the MAP sensor would keep my BRAKE, SERVICE VEHICLE, and ABS INOP dashlights on all the time. Also, it would seem that if the MAP is off, than my car shouldn't really be running at all. My MAF was replaced around the time I was told my MAP needed replacing...$1000 was not in the budget, and I talked to the mechanic who worked on car, and asked him, "Do I NEED this?"

He said, "No."

I said, "Then I'm gonna have to do this later when I have a grand to burn."

My car has passed Texas inspection for 4 years straight now until this year. What's worse is that the same guy who did it this year is the same one who tested it last year and passed me!

I'm not feeling very convinced of the MAP sensor making the dashlights perma-on, as I think its really something electrical/wiring related. It was alright to live with, until I failed inspection. Jerk :)

Any information, or people who've experienced the same stuff would be greaty appreciated so I can get some direction on where to go with this.

I thought about getting to gauge and undoing the bulb, but after getting the bevil cover off the bottom, I can't figure out how to pull of the trim and gauge cover without maybe breaking it accidentally.

Any info on how to safely dismantle gauge covers would be nice too.

Thanks

2000 Firebird, Black.

[98Camaro3.8]

Ok, wait....did they want $1000 to replace the MAP sensor? Please tell me I misunderstood. You can buy the part for under 40 bucks and you don't even need a wrench to replace it. If they wanted me to pay $1000 for that, I'd go to the local news channel and make sure everyone within 200 miles knew that these people are liars and cheats.


Why did your car fail inspection? Just because the lights were on?

Because both the BRAKE and ABS INOP lights are on, there is something wrong with your brake system. A normal scanner may not be able to read the codes that cause the SES light. You need to take it to a shop that does work on the ABS to see what the exact problem is. Get them to write down the actual code number so we can look it up to verify the problem.

[CAMAROWIDBASS]

ABS INOP light is sometimes caused by your 3rd brake light bulb being burned out. See if one of the bults in the 3rd brake light are out, if they are just replace them and this will take care of your ABS INOP light.

[James5036]

That's just it. There's nothing mechanically wrong with my car, at least that I can tell from driving it before and even after the day the dash lights come on, and also from the dealership mechanic who told me that I could live with the MAP as it was since my ABS was still working...apparently it's not a operating malfunction, but I have trouble believing that to be the cause of the dashlights. I do remember what happened the day they decided to stay on, I was starting the car and as it went through the dash light check it didn't start and I thought it was dead. Naturally I tried again, just to make sure and it started fine, but then those lights just stayed on.

I took the car in the next day to the dealer...I was still under warranty for another week or so, told them about the dead start and the dash lights, but they didn't take care of it and then told me about the MAP after they had replaced the MAF...and then gave me the news about the MAP, which I'm wishing I misunderstood. The actual quote from the dealer was 1117. The quote from an independently owned mechanic shop was 987, and this was without him looking at it, I had just asked for the heck of it.

Needless to say since the warranty is over, I do not visit the dealership at all.

The place I did the inspection did the brake light checks, including plate lights, side lights, so I'm pretty sure there isn't a bulb out, but I'll make a note of it and be sure.

There was another post here awhile back talking about the MAP sensor and it's ridiculous cost to fix because apparently this is a common problem among our cars but I can't find it for the life of me.

Anyways, I appreciate the feedback and I'll let you know of any codes that I get from when I take the car to the shop this week. My mechanic runs an ASE certified garage and has been the best for my family vehicles for 10 years now and referred me to another family owned shop down the street who should have the scanner necessary to look it up.

Thanks guys, if you have any more info or suggestions I'm open to them.

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by James5036:
and then gave me the news about the MAP, which I'm wishing I misunderstood. The actual quote from the dealer was 1117. The quote from an independently owned mechanic shop was 987, and this was without him looking at it, I had just asked for the heck of it.

Maybe we're talking about something different. There's just no way they can charge that much for something so simple. It should cost more to change the spark plugs than the MAP sensor.

The Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor is a little black thing located on the rear passenger side of the upper intake manifold. It's not common to have one go out.

If that was bad, you would have other DTCs that could easily by read by any scanner, as well as problems different than this.

If you needed a new cylinder head or something, I could see them charging that much, but not this tiny little thing that's easy to get to.

Do you remember what they said was wrong with it, or why it would be so much?

[James5036]

Is there anything in the ABS that might sound similar that they were talking about that I misunderstood? Again, mechanically the car does not have any problems or else they wouldn't have let me go, especially the dealer.

I'll take the car to someone who works on the ABS and get back with you on it though. Hopefully the news will be better and I'll probably be wrong. I'll apologize now in advance since it's looking more and more like I've misunderstood something.

The car failed the inspection because the e-brake light is on...all the time. While not recommending it "officially" he did say that if I got into my dash and disconnected the bulb he'd pass the car. Makes no sense, because it's been like that for the past few years and he's passed me before.

Anyways, I really do appreciate the help Matt, and you others.

[usd2sing]

dude!
if you need a map sensor i have a spare you can have. they're trying to rob u. u can have it...dang!!! i hate to hear crap like this...UGH!!
we pulled it off a 2000 bird motor.
motor runs fine. i just reused our 2002 map.
email me and we'll meet or you can come over, im in fort worth. i'll install it for you.
take about 15min.
dan
usd2sing@pacbell.net

[usd2sing]

Originally posted by usd2sing:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by usd2sing:
dude!
if you need a map sensor i have a spare you can have. they're trying to rob u. u can have it...dang!!! i hate to hear crap like this...UGH!!
we pulled it off a 2000 bird motor.
motor runs fine. i just reused our 2002 map.
email me and we'll meet or you can come over, im in fort worth. i'll install it for you.
take about 15min.
dan
usd2sing@pacbell.net

</font>[/QUOTE]also, inspection help is avail. let me know.