How much of a charge would I be looking at?

Question

I went to a local Checker-Autoparts, they pulgged their thing in and it read that something was wrong with either my Oxygen Sensor..... or my Catalytic Converter. so I called a trusting mechanic and he said that that does happen, they do go bad but tend not to just go bad regualry in such a new car (200, Toyota Corolla). He said when they go bad in this new of a car it tends to be somethign else that has gone wrong with the vehicle.... would it be dumbto walk into this place with $400 and expect them to fix whatever it is that is wrong with my car? I am a minimum wage worker... i need to plan these things lol..... so jsut a base jusdgement, estimation on the priice would be wonderful


thanks guys

=]

the car breaks the warranty


its has 170,00 miles on it
=P

*170,000 my mistakeee

Answer 1

Did they plug the code reader in or a gas analyzer?
I doubt the gas analyzer.The reader won't check the converter , no sensor there.
The O2 or oxygen sensor normally last as long as a set of plugs . The sensor should cost around $22.00 to $45.00 not installed. many of the newer systems the sensor is way more so price them .
The O2 sensor being bad can cause the Catalytic converter to go bad
Usually they aren't too hard to change out (like changing a spark plug) unless run too long and seized in.

Answer 2

You didn't say what part of the country your in, so I don't know what your cost of living is, but here goes. Oxygen sensors are expensive, but a lot cheaper at Checker than Toyota. I think $400. is way steep for an oxygen sensor anywhere as they should only cost about $100 and take less than 5 minutes to install. Your question says you have a 200, and that car is about 1807 years old,LOL, but if its a 2000, its a little early for that problem but not that much and it depends on mileage also. Get a second diagnosis, and a better price.

Answer 3

First you have to be more specific. Did you let the staff at Checker Auto Parts check your car because the check engine light came on? or did you just want to see if anything was wrong with the car? You didn't specify exactly what the problem was or why you ran a diagnostic on your car. If the check engine light came on then it has something to do with emissions (smog). Your 2000 Corolla shouldn't have this problem unless you don't take care of it, like changing the fluids in your car and just the oil. All that affects the emissions. I don't know what state your in but in some states if your car is having emissions problems there are state benifits that assist you in helping your car pass smog. In the state of CA they have what is called Smog Check Consumer Assistance Program. So you might want to check with your state. If it is indeed the oxygen sensor then I would start with that first. The oxygen sensor is pretty easy to fix all your doing is disconnecting. If it's not the oxygen sensor then you only have one part left.

Answer 4

replace parts in cheapest first order unless there is a lot of evidence. I took my old labaron convertible in to a dealer and they wanted to do fuel pump, at high cost , and no guarentee it would fix the problem. Turned out is was a known fault with the distributor .

I would replace the 02 sensor. They sometimes collect crud as a result of lots of short distance driving. Its not an expensive part and you may be able to do it yourself.

Answer 5

You may want to give the dealership a call. I believe catalytic converts have a 8 year or 80,000 mile warranty

Answer 6

never say how much you are willing to pay. find out what is wrong and fix that