PCA Forums

the Idiot light on the wifes 2008 Saturn Vue. went off. so today I ran it up to the local auto parts and they did a free scan. found it to read code PO454 .
at first thought it was going to be a loose gas cap code . but no not my luck its some dumb sensor that is in the gas tank. her car only has 33,000 miles on it .but is like 42 months old. so im hoping to get it picked up by the dealer.
i know some people there so im keeping my fingers crossed. if not this may cost me up words of $700 to repair.
why is it that the auto makers can make cars that are smart enough to tell a computer whats making them feel bad. but they can't make the car send a read out to let say the car radio digital screen and type it out in plan english telling you what is wrong. why do you need a scanner hooked into a port to find out why that dummy light is flashing at you on your dash ?

The guy I talked with today said if it's this sensor the tank has to be dropped to replace the bad unit.

What really gets me is that frequently there's less wrong with the car's running than with the sensors watching it.

But yeah, sounds like it's probably the sensor or something related to it. Shouldn't be $700 though. Closer to $200-300 IMO.

It's possible that a mouse chewed through a vapor hose on top of the gas tank. We see that from time to time and if that hose is plastic welded to the tank, it means time for a new tank, not warranty either. Labor depends on what needs to be done to lower the tank, some are easy, some aren't.

I've yet to understand why the fuel pump and related sensors can't be accessed unless you drop the gas tank. Sometimes, I think cars are engineered so you have to take them and get them worked on.

It's a popular mod on many vehicles to cut an access hole to the top of the tank (Jeeps in particular).

Depending on the car, there should be an access panel under the back seat.. But that doesn't mean that's where the sensor you're talking about it..

Some vehicles have access covers, some don't. Engineers don't always think of making possible future repairs user-friendly.

at the moment the cars in the dealership it is going to be covered under warrienty. i drop it off at 8 am . no word yet as to there findings waiting on a phone call.

they found it to be bad . they also found the trans to have a leak ing gasket and im not sure but i think there a sealed one time use trans so i may get a new one . they have offer me a free car rental and said it may not be ready till sometime next week!

update as of 9:30 today .
transmission has to be removed from the car. the car will be in the shop till this next Tuesday at earliest. so the dealer ship is placing me into a loaner that i will be picking up in the next hour or two. maybe i get a new 2011 volt,camaro ss or Vette ya right i can keep Dreaming right
i let you all know what they give me i know it will be a 2011 chevy of some kind but not one hot sporty units. my luck it be a AVEO 1/2 the size im use to driving .

Did the Fuel Pump on my87 Comanche.. I had to drop the tank 3 times before I got the damn thing right. Saved money.. lost sanity.

By the 3rd time I could drop the tank in 30 min's by myself with a piece of wood and a floor jack.

got the car back today .
per the billing slip (N/C)
the car had about 2 hours billed for the testing and replacing the F.T.P. sensor.
and 10 hours labor for the trans to replace a seal and 2 gaskets - but the work was sublet in-part at a different dealer . then a front end alignment of 1 hour all billed to GM ! I also know it was sent to a honda dealer and billed to GM.

Must be nice to have a warranty. I've never known the luxury.