Autozone, Kragen, no more CEL service or scan tool rental

[eXcali]

And how would you expect to pay for that tool? And believe me, $4000 is dirt cheap. Some of these shops pay well over 100K for some of their equipment. You don't pay for it by doing "free" check ups.

What do you do for a living? How long could you (or your company) survive doing things for free? You need a ROI, or you go bankrupt. Maybe that has something to do with CSK Auto no longer being in business and being sold to O'Reilly's.

What do I do for a living? Well I was in the Army for 8 years, served 1 1/2 years in Baghdad, Iraq. Oh and guess how much I charged the Iraqi's?? And for those who say I was paid by the Army: Civilian workers who emptied trash cans on base made $80k per year plus $20k signing bonus and spent every other month at home. The time I was there I made a WHOOPING $65k and of that my wife had to pay $20k in repairs on house and car that I would have been able to fix myself for 1/10th of the cost. Also $25k worth of my belongings were stolen from my garage while I was gone. And the insurance would only cover the $2k of things I happened to coincidently have in random pictures.

Since I have been home I donate 20 hours a week to Veterans Organizations. I make $20 an hour at work and I could pick up atleast 10 hours of O/T for $300 per week in donated time. I also do car repairs for my neighbors for FREE. I only ask they pay for the parts. Just about anything around the house I fix for FREE for friends, family and neighbors. Oh and my latest FREE doing is: I have been raising my brother-in-law's daughter because she would have gone to the State otherwise.

So please don't talk to me about FREE because I know it all to well.

 

[eXcali]

Ha! I have a tire balancing computer too (j/k). How much are the shops charging now to read codes? Last time I checked it was between $25 and $75 bucks...

The shops near me charge anywhere from $54.99-$75. As I said before there is a shop down the street where it's free if you ask for a free scan. Or you can use the $54.99 coupon which is printed on their flyers in the lobby, or you pay the full charge of $65 or $75. (can't remember full price)

 

[gijoecam]

I am so glad to see and hear this, it's about time someone sued these people for not knowing how to properly diag a vehicles DTC issues.

I would hear of so many mis-diag's it wasn't funny.

Hopefully the rest of the auto parts industry will comply and give the task back to those of us that really know what we're doing.

Let them sell parts, and let us trained profesionals do the real work.

Jeff - :navajo:

The problem isn't the scanners, the problem is in the diagnosis. The scanner's just a tool used to obtain the code, but it's not necessarily going to tell you how to fix the problem. In some cases it does, but in most cases, it simply indicates what parameter is out of spec, not why.

I don't believe that the issue is getting the code itself ... I believe that it's more that the workers at these stores would try to interpret the codes / tell the customer what they need to buy to repair the problem.

Precisely. Well, the scan tool says bank 1 sensor 1 is lean. Must be a bad oxygen sensor, right? Again, the tool tells you what the system is seeing, not how to fix it. Anyone that listens to the clowns at the parts store when it comes to DTC's is a fool and as the saying goes, a fool and his money are soon parted.

Now that you have the code, do you REALLY think you can make the correct repair?

Do you have the pin point tests to accurately determine the "root" of the problem?
...snip...
Do you really thing the scan tool tells you what the problem is?

What do my students pay $25k+ to sit in my classes for 9 months?

Would you loan your $4000 scan tool out for someone to fix thier car for free when it cost you to pay for the tool.

Would you give your experience and training out for free?

How about the service manuals, and the software like Alldata, and Mitchel's on demand, that charge for the service info and pin point tests you need for fixing the problem right the fist time?

Now, getting back to the original issue, companies like CSK and Autozone are free to choose which business practices they want to exercise, and which tools they can loan out. If they can't give me a code reading when my light comes on, I'll find someone who can, or do it myself as I see fit. There's absolutely no reason I should be required to pay for that information if there are other less costly means to obtain it. If Autozone won't, but Advance will, Advance will be where I get the parts from.

And yes, if it's a Ford, I DO, in fact, have all the necessary procedures for troubleshooting ANY problem. Doesn't necessarily mean I have the tools, equipment, or skills to do so, but I have the information.

 

[aldive]

I can't imagine someone who works on his/her own vehicle not having a scanner/code reader.

 

[PhotoByFriend]

I can't imagine someone who works on his/her own vehicle not having a scanner/code reader.

It's usually the same people that swap an engine with 3 "universal" sockets and a 6" adjustable wrench. You are aware that some standard sizes will work for a metric nut as well- see, universal!

 

[Tbars4]

...Some of us, just don't have very many codes to read...:

...My X can be read with a paper clip and my Ranger just doesn't throw codes...It had every light on the dash lit when I got it...I don't think it's thrown a code since...

...I figured this thread would alert the guys who help others that the free CEL service is disapearing and it is time to refer people to getting a code reader or prepare to pay for getting the codes read...

...I had also put a link in the first post for those seeking a cheap code reader...Others have also been helpful in posting up some info on where else to find them...

 

[BrooklynBay]

http://www.auto-facts.org/free-check-engine-light.html
http://www.socaleuro.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36779

 

[Four0Sport]

i always tell my employees that when reading engine codes to a customer to remind them that this is the code that was pulled, and that it doesnt mean this part needs replaced. that it is a starting point at what to look for, and for a better diagnosis they might want to research the code or speak to a mechanic.

we had problems with shops calling down complaining that we were stealing business, bc they charge for the same scan. then again, some shops call us asking us to scan their cars, and customers cars, bc they either dont have the equipment or dont understand the codes.

alot of this is state to state.. i remember reading years ago how auto shops in CA were angered by 'free scans' at parts stores.

 

[Tbars4]

....Thanks BB...

...Those links lead me to this video which is perfect for this thread...:biggthump

 

[jimbo74]

I just bought a code reader for OBDII off of ebay for $35 shipped. I've already used it a few times, and it works.

 

[BrooklynBay]

What model did you buy?

 

[Richardl215]

If big 3 does that, us little people will be out of jobs.

The simple answer to diagnostic or code readers is that you should always follow up with a multimeter.

 

[Tbars4]

...Need some urgent help guys...I'm out of town and I need a scan tool...Which would be the best for occassional use on my 95 Ranger...???

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=EQU&MfrPartNumber=3030&CategoryCode=3389

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=EQU&MfrPartNumber=3100&CategoryCode=3389

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=EQU&MfrPartNumber=3120&CategoryCode=3389

 

[BrooklynBay]

This is a basic code reader for EEC-IV: http://www.explorerforum.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=438

 

[Tbars4]

...But I only have a kragen near by...

 

[IZwack]

Go with the cheapest especially for the 95 Ranger, as long as you can get the numbers out.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Use the paper clip method to count the flashes. OBD-II is only for 96-up.

 

[Tbars4]

...I am the lucky owner of an obd II...That's right, the 95 Ranger has it in the same place as a 95 Explorer...

...I should have posted the prices, the first one is $70, The second one is $130, and the last one reads both OBD I and OBD II...It's $199 plus and accepts flash updates...

...I will probably either get the $70 or the $129 one...

 

[BrooklynBay]

This tool has more for your money: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223600

 

[Tbars4]

...Now that I have had some time to read up on the 2 and called to check availabity,I think I will get the one for $129...Mainly because it Retrieves both Generic (P0) and Manufacturer specific (P1) diagnostic codes


http://shop.oreillyauto.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=EQU&MfrPartNumber=3100&CategoryCode=3389