Cost for dealer to reset CEL
- Thread starter Auto-Union
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My Subaru dealer did a free scan when they didn't have jobs waiting. I doubt my Mazda dealer would do this. I'd go to AP for a free scan. I will always buy my parts from people who do not try to rape me, like charging me $60 dollars to hook up and read vehicle codes which takes maybe 15 minutes.
Auto-union,
you will have a case if the check engine light comes on say within 90 days if they warranty their work for that long, and the dealerships "fix" didn't work. so they would have to do some real diagnosis then!
I had a check engine light on for two years on my old 92 Mitsubishi mirage, OBDI voltmeter check was oxygen sensor. I replaced it, check engine light stayed off when I unhooked the battery. Luckily, I didn't have to go to emission testing where I lived at the time.
you will have a case if the check engine light comes on say within 90 days if they warranty their work for that long, and the dealerships "fix" didn't work. so they would have to do some real diagnosis then!
I had a check engine light on for two years on my old 92 Mitsubishi mirage, OBDI voltmeter check was oxygen sensor. I replaced it, check engine light stayed off when I unhooked the battery. Luckily, I didn't have to go to emission testing where I lived at the time.
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Originally Posted By: Auto-Union
I believe that the obd originally was intended to ease the cost to the consumer.
Nope. Introduced to get actual feedback on sensor effectiveness (O2, cat efficiency, misfires, EGR function) and to stop owners from resetting the CEL by a simple battery disconnect. Owners had a bad habit of restting the CEL right before inspections.
FWIW, if my service writer would have written the RO correctly, you would have gotten out for .5 hr labor (our shop minimum).
I believe that the obd originally was intended to ease the cost to the consumer.
Nope. Introduced to get actual feedback on sensor effectiveness (O2, cat efficiency, misfires, EGR function) and to stop owners from resetting the CEL by a simple battery disconnect. Owners had a bad habit of restting the CEL right before inspections.
FWIW, if my service writer would have written the RO correctly, you would have gotten out for .5 hr labor (our shop minimum).
50% of my CEL's are for the owner leaving the fuel cap loose or off completely. If you can't perform the most basic function on your car you deserve to have to look at the warning light for two weeks or pay me 40 bucks to turn it off.
With the advent of cheap code scanners, the mystique of obd scanners at the dealer is past.
JHZR2
Staff member
(a) that's honda for you... not so great. We've been there, done that with our integra. Your really have to try hard to find the right dealer.
(b) if your new accord needed warranty work (?!?!?!?!?????? I thought accords were so reliable), maybe they were trying to make up for it in revenue. Seriously... they have all of your records, and warranty work is the least profitable.
(c) there are places that will do it for free, and you are more than welcome to buy your own scanner/software too. Can't blame them for having a minimum cost to prevent folks from going there, finding what is wrong on sophisticated diagnostic equipment (granted, OBD stuff is not sophisticated), and then going to the local garage and getting it done cheaper.
(d) if a shop is busy, and given that a sensor should only really cost $80-100 (even for an OE one - Honda is really ripping you a new one if they want $400), which means that at best they are making $40 on the part and maybe breaking even on the labor - its justnot worth their time (or your paying for same) to check the seonsor vs. putting in a new one, especially if they know the car has a lot of miles.
(e) a 1998 vehicle with under 100 or 150k ought to have warranty on the emissions system. Shouldnt something like this becovered under that?
JMH
(b) if your new accord needed warranty work (?!?!?!?!?????? I thought accords were so reliable), maybe they were trying to make up for it in revenue. Seriously... they have all of your records, and warranty work is the least profitable.
(c) there are places that will do it for free, and you are more than welcome to buy your own scanner/software too. Can't blame them for having a minimum cost to prevent folks from going there, finding what is wrong on sophisticated diagnostic equipment (granted, OBD stuff is not sophisticated), and then going to the local garage and getting it done cheaper.
(d) if a shop is busy, and given that a sensor should only really cost $80-100 (even for an OE one - Honda is really ripping you a new one if they want $400), which means that at best they are making $40 on the part and maybe breaking even on the labor - its justnot worth their time (or your paying for same) to check the seonsor vs. putting in a new one, especially if they know the car has a lot of miles.
(e) a 1998 vehicle with under 100 or 150k ought to have warranty on the emissions system. Shouldnt something like this becovered under that?
JMH
Why don't you just buy a scan tool and DIY?
You can get a scan tool that reads and erases codes at Auto Zone for 60.
I love AcuraTech's comment that "as mechanics, we have to gouge you any way we can". It's a joke what these "experts" charge. Reading a code takes two minutes, tops. I realize overhead and equipment fees are factored in, but the cost for scanning some trouble codes is vastly overpriced.
I love AcuraTech's comment that "as mechanics, we have to gouge you any way we can". It's a joke what these "experts" charge. Reading a code takes two minutes, tops. I realize overhead and equipment fees are factored in, but the cost for scanning some trouble codes is vastly overpriced.
Originally Posted By: Auto-Union
Funny too, how the dealer nor anyone else argues that the "diagnostic fee" is actually a fair charge.
Of course its fair to charge for that 'diagnostic fee' because the dealership has an ASE certified Honda mechanic connect a scanner and read the code.
Funny too, how the dealer nor anyone else argues that the "diagnostic fee" is actually a fair charge.
Of course its fair to charge for that 'diagnostic fee' because the dealership has an ASE certified Honda mechanic connect a scanner and read the code.
For the cost of having two codes pulled, you could have bought a ScanGauge.
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