Code reader and revelation
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Code reader and revelation
I went over to Shuck's and bought of the code readers they had on special, Equus 3100 or something, cheap, 100 bucks after rebate. That was the most eye opening event for me ever. Plug in the reader, turn on the key, read the code. Heck this one time I had to use the reader probably saved me money from the start - rather than having the dealer diagnose the problem.
Unless something serious occurs (like waterpump failure or head gasket blown) I won't ever take it to the dealer again. Could you imagine what they would have charged me for diagnosing, and then replacing the DPFE sensor? Probably 150 to 200 bucks, not to mention a day's worth of my time and a rental car so I could get to work. Now its 20 minutes and I'm back in business and 15 of that is just waiting for the computer to reset with the negative terminal off the battery.
Unless something serious occurs (like waterpump failure or head gasket blown) I won't ever take it to the dealer again. Could you imagine what they would have charged me for diagnosing, and then replacing the DPFE sensor? Probably 150 to 200 bucks, not to mention a day's worth of my time and a rental car so I could get to work. Now its 20 minutes and I'm back in business and 15 of that is just waiting for the computer to reset with the negative terminal off the battery.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Central Virginia
I argee with Eigenvector. A OBD-II code reader is as necessary as a set of socket wrenches to keep our trucks going. I bought mine after the dealer charged $54 to tell me the CEL was on because the gas cap was not tight. The next time the CEL came on, the OBD reader took me right to the EGR valve and the fact that the vacuum hose had fallen off. Cost to repair = Zero. The OBD reader paid for itself on that one trouble.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 16
From: Connecticut
About a month ago I saw Actron code reader (Model # CP9135) on sale at Pep Boys for around $100. Good deal.
I paid $150 for the same unit about 2 years ago and it is one of the best tools I ever bought. It has paid for itself many times over already. I highly recommend that people pick up a simple OBD-II code reader like that if they can.
It's as easy to use as plugging the cord into the connector underneath the driver's side dash, turning the ignition key to the "on" position, and watching the unit display any pending trouble codes.
I paid $150 for the same unit about 2 years ago and it is one of the best tools I ever bought. It has paid for itself many times over already. I highly recommend that people pick up a simple OBD-II code reader like that if they can.
It's as easy to use as plugging the cord into the connector underneath the driver's side dash, turning the ignition key to the "on" position, and watching the unit display any pending trouble codes.
