Autozone socal no longer renting scan gauges

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kgb007stb

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My car decided to throw a CEL, went to autozone and to my surprise they are no longer renting scan gauges. The manager behind the desk told me that they have stopped that program about two years ago. Same for Kragen, will have to ask friends to see if anyone has one.

Thankfully when filling up with gas I discovered my rookie error, cross threaded the gas cap so there must be a sensor in the tank telling it that it is open when there is not enough back pressure. Hopefully I will be able to clear the code and move on with life.

Are there any other places that rent out scan gauges, I have been deferring the purchase of one, but looks like the time has come to get one.
 
I bought the most simple basic scanner (Actron Pocket Scanner) for like $25 and its has more than paid for it self in scanning OBO-II codes.

Someone told me that AAP has scanners you can 'borrow' for parking lot use but you have to leave a credit card and driver's license.
 
AZ and AAP will scan the codes for you for free. At least around here, in northern Illinois. No renting required. Just ask the dude at the counter to scan the code for you. Takes 3 minutes, fast and easy.
 
Only in California...

parts stores had to stop going out to the customer's car and doing the scan for them because the big repair shops AND dealerships got together and tried to pass a law to stop that because in essence, they lost out on the "diagnostic fee", usually $150 to do 2minutes of work. They sorta won.
So AZ decided to loan the tool out. it's still legal for a consumer to do the scan on their own.
the excuse used was that the parts person wasn't qualified to scan codes and properly diagnose the problems.
There is some truth to this, however.. what do you want for free? If you're paying for a diagnosis, you expect to get an expert answer. Not a punk kid saying oh.. looks like you're misfiring. change the plugs and you'll be fine.
We know there's more to it than that.

So i suppose now they got the parts stores to stop loaning the tool.

I'm waiting for them to try and stop the consumer from buying a code reader all together.
 
I lost count how many times people have come in saying that Autozone checked and they had an EGR code and they replaced their EGR valve and it didnt fix the problem. Anyone with any experience in Ford products knows that an "insufficient flow" EGR code on a Ford, the EGR valve is not the problem.

When people come into our parts dept and get us to help diagnose, we refer them to service. If i tell them the problem is XXX and they replace that part and its not the problem, its my fault.
 
I just gave in and bought one. Advance had their $59 on sale for $49 + got the on-line code from the sales/rebate forum for another $16 off (good through 9/30) for a total of $33 and picked it up at the store today. Works great and handier than going to AutoZone every time the beater throws a code. Unfortunately, I have two codes, but that is another thread.
 
It's true about the aap scanners. If you give them something like keys, licence, etc, you can borrow it. The last few times I've used it, they just say to be careful.
 
You can clear the CEL by removing the hot lead on the battery and leaving it off for a few minutes. Or wait a few days and it should clear on its own.

-Spyder
 
Originally Posted By: EricF
Only in California...

parts stores had to stop going out to the customer's car and doing the scan for them because the big repair shops AND dealerships got together and tried to pass a law to stop that because in essence, they lost out on the "diagnostic fee", usually $150 to do 2minutes of work. They sorta won.
So AZ decided to loan the tool out. it's still legal for a consumer to do the scan on their own.
the excuse used was that the parts person wasn't qualified to scan codes and properly diagnose the problems.
There is some truth to this, however.. what do you want for free? If you're paying for a diagnosis, you expect to get an expert answer. Not a punk kid saying oh.. looks like you're misfiring. change the plugs and you'll be fine.
We know there's more to it than that.

So i suppose now they got the parts stores to stop loaning the tool.

I'm waiting for them to try and stop the consumer from buying a code reader all together.


Lol really? Ok so I have a 2002 hyundai in my shop. Throwing two codes. Tps code and a misfire code. I guess I should change the plug and replace the throttle position sensor and send him on his way? NO I have to verify what's causing the misfire and what's causing the tps code then replace what's needed that's called a REAL DIAGNOSTIC SIR. I wish could plug in a scanner and let it tell me what's the problem. Wouldn't need to have a mechanic or a 3500 dollar snap on scanner. Takes a couple hours by the way.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
Lol really? Ok so I have a 2002 hyundai in my shop. Throwing two codes. Tps code and a misfire code. I guess I should change the plug and replace the throttle position sensor and send him on his way? NO I have to verify what's causing the misfire and what's causing the tps code then replace what's needed that's called a REAL DIAGNOSTIC SIR. I wish could plug in a scanner and let it tell me what's the problem. Wouldn't need to have a mechanic or a 3500 dollar snap on scanner. Takes a couple hours by the way.


the code that the scanner gives you tells you exactly what's wrong. just hop online for 5 minutes and do a google search for the code. then fix yourself.

no need to take the car to a shop and get bent over by mechanics like you that will tell you the same thing google will.

i have fixed countless problems on tons of cars this way
wink.gif
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: finalyzd

Lol really? Ok so I have a 2002 hyundai in my shop. Throwing two codes. Tps code and a misfire code. I guess I should change the plug and replace the throttle position sensor and send him on his way? NO I have to verify what's causing the misfire and what's causing the tps code then replace what's needed that's called a REAL DIAGNOSTIC SIR. I wish could plug in a scanner and let it tell me what's the problem. Wouldn't need to have a mechanic or a 3500 dollar snap on scanner. Takes a couple hours by the way.


Mine threw a misfire code right after start up. Could have brought it in to have the CEL diagnosed at $65 per hour, or $99 at the dealer. Or I simply could of done what I did do: reset the CEL on the fly and see if the code came back. 3 weeks since, and no further CEL.

I prefer my approach better.

-Spyder
 
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I have a code reader and I just got Autoenginuity Total Ford Bundle for my Ford Powerstroke. I go the route of troubleshooting to the best of my ability and if it gets out of my league I take it to an experienced 6.0L tech. If it does get to that I am more than willing to pay what they charge.
 
Originally Posted By: jmsjags
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
Lol really? Ok so I have a 2002 hyundai in my shop. Throwing two codes. Tps code and a misfire code. I guess I should change the plug and replace the throttle position sensor and send him on his way? NO I have to verify what's causing the misfire and what's causing the tps code then replace what's needed that's called a REAL DIAGNOSTIC SIR. I wish could plug in a scanner and let it tell me what's the problem. Wouldn't need to have a mechanic or a 3500 dollar snap on scanner. Takes a couple hours by the way.


the code that the scanner gives you tells you exactly what's wrong. just hop online for 5 minutes and do a google search for the code. then fix yourself.

no need to take the car to a shop and get bent over by mechanics like you that will tell you the same thing google will.

i have fixed countless problems on tons of cars this way
wink.gif


Careful!
First of all, if you ever come here with a problem you need help with, the career techs who remember your comment will refrain from helping you, and may even send you a taunting PM telling you that while they know exactly what your problem is, you should Google it instead.
Second, while the 'net is very helpful, it is no substitute for an experienced tech in diagnosing the real cause of a CEL.
It is not always a matter of simple part replacement.
Working mechanics are mostly honest and mostly good at what they do.
You pay them for their knowledge and experience.
I rarely need to pay anyone to fix anything, but when I do, it is because I am truly out of my depth, Scanguage (a great toy) notwithstanding
 
Yeah, just because a code says one thing that does not mean the computer really knows anything.
Like a TPS code is probably the TPS but could be wiring. have to make sure signal is getting to the computer first.
Something more complicated to track down might be a lean code, or a misfire. With a misfire often times it is ignition related Ive found, but that is a bad assumption to make. As youll shotgun the ignition trying to fix it that way and find out its an injector, or heaven forbid a lack of compression which would mean internal engine work.
 
Originally Posted By: jmsjags
Originally Posted By: finalyzd
Lol really? Ok so I have a 2002 hyundai in my shop. Throwing two codes. Tps code and a misfire code. I guess I should change the plug and replace the throttle position sensor and send him on his way? NO I have to verify what's causing the misfire and what's causing the tps code then replace what's needed that's called a REAL DIAGNOSTIC SIR. I wish could plug in a scanner and let it tell me what's the problem. Wouldn't need to have a mechanic or a 3500 dollar snap on scanner. Takes a couple hours by the way.


the code that the scanner gives you tells you exactly what's wrong. just hop online for 5 minutes and do a google search for the code. then fix yourself.

no need to take the car to a shop and get bent over by mechanics like you that will tell you the same thing google will.

i have fixed countless problems on tons of cars this way
wink.gif



That little obd scanner tells you exactly what's wrong? Are you serious? (That code just gives you a place to start looking). Then tell my why the tps sensor is testing good? But the scanner is saying a tps code? So its that right? Like I said I wish I could plug in a little scanner and it give me the information so I can just replace or fix what's needed. Somes times you will get lucky. and figure it out easy which when we do if its a small hose causing a vaccum leak no charge. Just five bucks for a new hose. You should become a master diagnostic technician, you and your 40 dollar obd scanner paired with google access can make you a lot! P.s its most likely the computer on the hyundai trying to verify still
 
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