Herb,

Thanks for your advice. This may indeed sound plausibe, but the thing is that my mechanic has been able to run diagnostics on my 99 before w/out any problems, which must mean he's got the Vadis system (of course I can double check). I always keep the dealer as a last resort (dealt with them way before, got tired of their incompetence). That's why there is a possibility of a burnt relay, diod or transistor in one of the diagnostic circuis that may prevent it from running now. The trick is to find it.

BTW, I have to disagree about the check engine light. In about 4 years that I had the car, about all occurrences (and there were quite a few) of check engine light were caused by the loose gas cap (according to the diagnostics). Looking at how many posts there are here on this very subject, I'd doubt my car is an exception in this regard.

Thanks again,

Anton
99V70