computer diagnostics question

If you have a '96 or newer car and the CEL (check engine light) is on, then take it to Autozone, they do it for free. However do not listen to there diagnosis of the problem. Just write down the diagnostic codes and look them up for the problem.

I went to Autozone yesterday and asked if they would do that for me. They said they no longer read the diagnostics, but they loan you the machine for $180 :eek . That didn't sound right, so today, I called another location and heard the same thing.

There should be a couple pins on your ecu that you can loop together and your check engine light will blink out the code. However since I dont have a clue what kind of car you have Im not going to suggest how to go about doing this quite yet. Im sure at least someone in here has the same car as you and has done this before...so what are you driving?

flyingtoaster said:

I went to Autozone yesterday and asked if they would do that for me. They said they no longer read the diagnostics, but they loan you the machine for $180 :eek . That didn't sound right, so today, I called another location and heard the same thing.

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Hmm that sucks, well they do have a loaner tool program. Basically you pay for the tool, use it, and return it for a full refund. Overall it just costs your time and gas to go to the store.

spray004 said:

Hmm that sucks, well they do have a loaner tool program. Basically you pay for the tool, use it, and return it for a full refund. Overall it just costs your time and gas to go to the store.

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Yeah, they usually don't even fully run your card. They do a carbon copy and then if you break it, they charge your card. The tool will tell you exactly which codes it throwing, then you just look them up. Super easy!

Hmm, so do I ask about the loaner tool, or do I just buy the machine and take it back when I'm done with it?

Tell them you want to borrow their scanner. They will hook you up yo!

GSRGreenSleeper said:

Yeah, they usually don't even fully run your card. They do a carbon copy and then if you break it, they charge your card. The tool will tell you exactly which codes it throwing, then you just look them up. Super easy!

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thats awesome, but i prefer to buy the tool, since i constantly need to read codes...

hobie237 said:

thats awesome, but i prefer to buy the tool, since i constantly need to read codes...

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Those things are kinda pricey. I know people at shops so they hook me up. It helps working in garages from time to time....

pull the codes yourself

http://www.c-speedracing.com/faq/06.php
http://www.c-speedracing.com/faq/05.php

Snoopy said:

pull the codes yourself

http://www.c-speedracing.com/faq/06.php
http://www.c-speedracing.com/faq/05.php

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i really hate those old style codes u get by jumping the connector.its ok for obd1 cars but for obd2 i prefer using obd2 codes. i have a snap on and OTC scantool at work i use and man the info u get out of it is amazing. thats why i love obd2 for diagnostic reasons. they get straight to the point with the codes. no more of codes like 7 TPS or 10 IAT. they are way more specific.

but those people who just want the codes for an obd2 car that cheap harbor freight code reader is nice for 39.99. i have one at the house just in case i ever need to read codes when i dont have access to the scantool

buy a POS scanner off of EBAY. works great for 125 bucks and its yours 4ever

2slow2go said:

buy a POS scanner off of EBAY. works great for 125 bucks and its yours 4ever

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theres no such thing as a POS scanner for 125 bucks.

do u even knoe wats a scanner and wats a POS code reader?

i see u dont. :rolleyes

but if u do see a scanner for 125 let me knoe ill pay 300 for it

asianpride559 said:

theres no such thing as a POS scanner for 125 bucks.

do u even knoe wats a scanner and wats a POS code reader?

i see u dont. :rolleyes

but if u do see a scanner for 125 let me knoe ill pay 300 for it

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correct me if im wrong, but a scanner gives you info on the engine's running stats - fuel/air ratio, rpms, engine loading, and some even act as an ecu that takes over for the car's ecu while it's plugged in.
great stuff, especially for tuning.

a code reader just pulls the code numbers off of the ecu and spits em back at you, and if you're lucky it will give you the part the code referrs to.
correct?

explosivpotato said:

correct me if im wrong, but a scanner gives you info on the engine's running stats - fuel/air ratio, rpms, engine loading, and some even act as an ecu that takes over for the car's ecu while it's plugged in.
great stuff, especially for tuning.

a code reader just pulls the code numbers off of the ecu and spits em back at you, and if you're lucky it will give you the part the code referrs to.
correct?

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it reads data from the computer and you can do specific tests on it such as shutting ijectors off, playing with IAC, and clicking relays on and off. its called functional tests.

and the code readers usually are obd2 give u obd2 generic codes all the P0XXX codes but dont think they give u manufacturer specific codes. P1XXX codes