PSA: Check Engine Light Madness

[rgG]

This happened to me on my Scion and I Googled and found out that there is a fuse or relay that you can pull and replace, I think it is located in the fuse box under the hood, that will reset everything, so you don't have to wait days for it to get back to rights.

[M A V I C]

Markintosh wrote:
In California, auto parts stores are no longer allowed to loan or rent code readers...

What the heck is the logic for that?

[Chakravartin]

M A V I C wrote:
[quote=Markintosh]
In California, auto parts stores are no longer allowed to loan or rent code readers...

What the heck is the logic for that?
'Same logic as with any state-sanctioned monopoly put forth under the guise of public safety: Lobbyists give good green.

[cbelt3]

Pretty much anyone is not allowed to reset codes without servicing the vehicle. Which is why I have my own reader

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Markintosh wrote:
In California, auto parts stores are no longer allowed to loan or rent code readers...

...which is why I purchased my own.

[Acer]

You can buy your own code reader in CA, you just can't borrow one from/get your code read by an auto parts store. Supposedly (I've read) to protect you from the parts store making crap up to sell you parts. (Which, of course, a repair shop would NEVER EVER do.) So, it's a nanny state thing, not an EPA thing. I imagine some scammer worked over a state representative.

The code readers are cheap, like 30 bucks or something.

[Mr645]

If you have an Android phone, look for an app called Torque. When combined with a $15 Ebay ODB bluetooth adapter you can read, reset and monitor the ECU.

[cbelt3]

That's the kind I have . With my Touchpad . Works nicely .

[Mike Johnson]

Chakravartin wrote:
[quote=M A V I C]
[quote=Markintosh]
In California, auto parts stores are no longer allowed to loan or rent code readers...

What the heck is the logic for that?
'Same logic as with any state-sanctioned monopoly put forth under the guise of public safety: Lobbyists give good green.
This is one of those things everybody assumes is true, but nobody can actually point to the law in question. I'm sure the law they're afraid of breaking is not about ODB scanners, but about being an unlicensed and unregistered emissions repair shop. They can lend you a scanner. What they can't do is tell you how to fix the problem and then sell you the parts, because then when they're wrong, the customer's path to recourse is all messed up.

[GGD]

I got this basic reader from Amazon in December for $19.95+tax, basic but reads and resets codes, at that price it seemed like a good tool to own. Although it looks like Amazon doesn't currently stock it anymore, and it's a bit more expensive from other sellers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LHVOVK



I used it when diagnosing and fixing a stuck vapor canister vent valve on an 98 Sentra.