$133.50 to get codes diagnosed... WTF?!!! Help me out here...

[97Sportrac]

$133.50 to get codes diagnosed...Help me out here...

Here is a general overview of my problem...

The vehicle is a 5-speed manual 97 Explorer Sport (2DR)...

I was driving down the freeway the other day and the "Check Engine Light" came on. It was a steady amber color, (not red or blinking amber). The truck still drives and the motor isn't making any funny noises. Under 2000rpm the vehicle seems to be going OK but as soon as you want to into the upper rpm's such as 3000+ it really doesn't have the torque like it used to.

I have ruled out a dirty MAF sensor because it takes time for the sensor to get dirty and it doesn't just instantly get so dirty to cause such a dramatic loss in power. I would notice the performance degrading over time and not just an instant problem that happened the next day. Voltage is fine, oil is good, engine temperature is good. Also, I have ruled out transmission problems since it is a manual transmission and not a problem prone automatic and I have check the obvious things such as the gas cap is tightly on and the air filter is good.

I suspect it's a busted O2 sensor but I don't want to just buy one yet because they aren't exactly cheap and I don't know the exact problem.

I called my dealer if he would be so kind to scan the codes but the he told me it would cost me just $133.55CAD just to get the vehicle diagnosed. Where in Edmonton could I get this scanned for free. People in the states just go to AutoZone and they get their codes scanned for free. I tried Partsource but they don't do it.

I have no idea where to start looking to get this fixed... because either way it would involvle costly "labour" or I would be wasting money on parts which I don't even know are malfunctioning.

 

[MONMIX]

If you have auto-zone near you they pull codes for free.
Otherwise You can do better than $133.00 Call some indepandant shops

 

[Robb]

You could look into getting a cheap code reader to help out.

 

[Glacier991]

Or, pop for your OWN code reader! You can get them for under $100 as readers only (not scanners).

 

[Hokie]

If you have auto-zone near you they pull codes for free.
Otherwise You can do better than $133.00 Call some indepandant shops

Dealer told me $90 to pull the codes and tell me whats wrong with it

a local shop told me they'd just pull the codes for $20

I laughed at them and found an AutoZone

So if push comes to shove, either spring for an OBDII code scanner or pay a independant shop to pull em

If you have a laptop, check out http://obddiagnostics.com/index.html

For $88 you get full diagnostics and control that plugs into your laptop

 

[97Sportrac]

Would a OBDII scanner tell me exactly which O2 scanner is dead?

 

[Robb]

Would a OBDII scanner tell me exactly which O2 scanner is dead?

Yes, a reader or scanner would tell you the exact O2 sensor that is throwing the code.

 

[IAmTodd]

Get a cheap scanner. I despise Autozone (and I have a valid reason). It may be free, but not worth the hassle in the end.

 

[Glacier991]

Before you go a lot further, there are three threads that I think might help you make an informed choice here. One is on Computer Control of Engines. Another is on the difference between code readers and scanners, and the last points up some common myths about what Check Engine Light (called different things, but we'll use that) codes mean.

#1 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80692&highlight=A+Primer+on

#2 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80707&highlight=A+Primer+on

#3 http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82038&highlight=Check+Engine+Light+Myths

I hope these help you.

 

[StockB2FromHell]

A code reader will pay for its price over and over. I'd suggest that you just go out and get one. You'll find that it's a very handy tool to keep with you.

 

[00XLS]

I finally poped for a code scanner, just reads codes and thats it nothing fancy. $160 at autozone, i got sick of always having to go there and get them to do it and listen to their song and dance. This is when I had my Blazer haven't used it for the X yet (knock on wood) but i'd get one. esp if you do your own repairs

 

[aldive]

My scanner has paid for itself many times over.