My check engine came on recently and my car shows the following codes:

P1647 - Oxygen Sensor, bank 2
P1582 - Flight recorder data is stored
P0037 - Heated oxygen sensor heater control circuit low (bank 1 sensor 2)
P0460 - Fuel level sensor circuit malfunction
P1384 - Variable valve timing solenoid 1 malfunction
P1396 - Variable valve timing solenoid 2 malfunction
P1611 - Sub processor unit failure malfunction

With all these codes showing at once, the mechanic (pep boys) told me to take it to the dealer as they didn't feel comfortable fixing it. Obviously, I'd like to avoid that since dealer prices can be crazy high!

Are these codes related somehow or just random chance that all these things are going wrong at once?

My research shows that the VVT solenoid malfunction can sometimes be fixed in high mileage cars (mine has 130k) with a 10W40 oil change. I'm due now for an oil change, so I figure that's worth a try.

To top all this off, my AC went out as well (working on that separately).

Any thoughts on how to proceed with all of this? If I do the oil change, then buy the o2 sensor and have a mechanic repair that, at least I'm keeping the damage to a minimal amount. I'm likely going to get a new car in a few months so I'm trying to avoid putting a ton of money into this one! It's lasted me 10 years and I'd hate to have to dump $1,000+ into it for a few months of use. Are these things crucial to fix right away?

I really appreciate any advice! This is a lot at once!

 

Reid, based on the codes, it would appear to me that you have had part of your ECU fail and that is what is causing your issues. Granted, 10W-40 oil in your engine is not the best for the VVT system. So, that will be a given to be changed (should be 5W-30 if not 5W-20).

The other possibility that it could be is a wiring harness that has gotten damaged. Based on the items showing potential failure, the source of the damage is going to be really close to the ECU. So, be looking at where the wiring harness leaves the ECU and the next 2 feet. If that all looks good, then that is going to point back to the internal failure of the ECU.

 

Clear codes. Do the exact ones come straight back? If not, which is/are back first?

 

I cleared the codes and P1647 came back pretty quickly.

With my reader that's the only code I've gotten. When Pep Boys ran their meter, they got all of those other codes as well. So I'm not sure if those would show up again or not honestly. I'm not sure why mine is showing the one while theirs showed so many!

 

The rest may have been there ages. Fix the problem with the O2 by replacing it. Clear codes after and see what occurs.