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Right To Repair - A Hot Issue or Big Problem?

133 messages,  Last post on Oct 06, 2009 at 3:25 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires

What is this discussion about? Electrical


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#31 of 133
Re: The warranty [rockfish1] by 0patience
Apr 03, 2007 (4:44 pm)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Apr 03, 2007 10:06 am)

That all depends on the scanners that you are using and what package you purchase.
I have probably 12 different scan tools. Most sent to me from the manufacturers and depending on what vehicle you have, there are some available that will cover proprietary trouble codes and parameters.
 
Currently, there are a lot of scanners and scan programs that offer GM, Ford and Chrysler proprietary code information. AutoTap (program), AutoXray (handheld), Actron (handheld), OTC (handheld) and InjectoClean are among them.
InjectoClean (program) also offers Toyota and Honda proprietary codes in their program package, as well as a labscope set up for pocket PC and Palm units.
 
We do a lot of testing on scan tools, so we know there are some out there.
#32 of 133
Re: The warranty [0patience] by rockfish1
Apr 03, 2007 (6:59 pm)
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Replying to: 0patience (Apr 03, 2007 4:44 pm)

In reviewing, on the manufacturers web sites, the capabilities of the Actron CP9190 and the Autoxray 4000 they seem to be able to detect most if not all codes and function on the cars I would work on. They also seem to offer internet updates to keep the scanner current. Do you have any insight on these for the DIY'er that enjoys trying to fix the problem before needing the repair shop.
#33 of 133
Re: The warranty [rockfish1] by 0patience
Apr 03, 2007 (8:48 pm)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Apr 03, 2007 6:59 pm)

Well, I had a whole thing all written out and for some reason the page went to one of those ones where you have to refresh it. I lost the whole thing.
 
So, anyway................
The Actron 9190 and the AutoXray 6000 are pretty comparable units. They both will do quite a bit. They have monitor capabilities and will do most manufacturer's powertrain diagnostics.
The next step down is the Actron 9150 and AutoXray 5000.
Both of these still have monitor capabilities, but are a little less than the top ones.
 
If you click on my name, you will see my profile and some links. We have articles on a lot of the scanners.
You may want to consider a scan program, either laptop (PC) based or Palm or Pocket PC based.
One of my favorites is Injectoclean's (now Injectronic) New CJ4 scan tool, which we are testing and reviewing in the near future. It is a full on scanner with labscope that is competitively priced for the DIYer. Last I checked with them, they are selling for around $400.
 
Remember that there are differences in a lot of the scanners and some that say they are scanners are really only code readers. Scanners will provide diagnostic information and code readers only read the codes and clear codes. While some folks, code readers are sufficient, but for anyone who wishes to do any kind of diagnostics, a good scanner is the only way to go.
 
Also, if you plan on doing any diagnostics on any vehicle, then get a good information system or manual. Since I am biased towards one, I will leave that to you to make the decision which one. but Steve (host) has put together a great page http://www.carspace.com/guides/Online-Repair-Manuals.
My preferance is the first link under the paid sources (AlldataDIY).
But again, I am biased toward them, so take my opinion for what it is worth.
 
Oh yeah, one thing to note.......
None of these scanners will do SRS (airbag) or Body controls and only a limited amount of ABS.
So if you are expecting to do any of that, expect to pay premium prices for scanners with those capabilities.
#34 of 133
Re: The warranty [0patience] by rockfish1
Apr 04, 2007 (5:33 am)
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Replying to: 0patience (Apr 03, 2007 8:48 pm)

Thanks for the great info. I will be following up on the links.
 
Injectronic seem to be a fairly new company - 10 years old and 7 years in the diagnostic business - but are already in 35 countries. Are they profitable enough to stay in business? I would not want an expensive scan tool become obsolete due to lack of support.
 
To bad Edmunds doesn't have a undo/redo feature. I've lost messages also.
#35 of 133
Re: The warranty [rockfish1] by steve_ HOST
Apr 04, 2007 (7:09 am)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Apr 04, 2007 5:33 am)

Sometimes you can go back in your browser and recover "lost" drafts.
 
Amazon has the Actron CP9135 on sale for ~$73 but it sounds like it's not CAN protocol and may not work on cars newer than around 2004. So I won't mention it. The CP9175 is about $110.
 
Upgradeable via USB link sounds like the latest must have feature?
#36 of 133
Re: The warranty [0patience] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Apr 04, 2007 (7:16 am)
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Replying to: 0patience (Apr 03, 2007 8:48 pm)

Okay...let's say you want to buy a scanner that works not only on your own car, but is likely to work on friends/neighbor's cars as well. Is this realistic that one could find a consumer product that will access perhaps 90% of all cars?
 
Or would we be cast into the rather ironic situation of attacking proprietary automakers' codes by having to buy 3 or 4 proprietary scanners?
#37 of 133
Re: Right To Repair - A Hot Issue [hpmctorque] by pmurray
Apr 04, 2007 (12:41 pm)
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Replying to: hpmctorque (Feb 06, 2007 2:07 am)

Back to the original question. Yes I think the information should be available. The independent shop and owners need to be able to work on and compete in a free market. If the dealer knows the customer has no choice they can charge what ever they want. I currently own a Honda Odessey and a Chev. Colorado. Both have oil service lights. The Honda owners manual tells you how to reset, with Chev. it is top secret. When I called my dealer they put me on hold forever and told me no one knew how. That is either scarry or.....just annoying.
#38 of 133
Re: The warranty [rockfish1] by 0patience
Apr 04, 2007 (5:17 pm)
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Replying to: rockfish1 (Apr 04, 2007 5:33 am)

Injectronic is on their 5th generation scan tools and they seem to be backing their products really well.
One of the scanners I have from them is about 7 years old and upgrading hasn't been a problem so far.
#39 of 133
Re: Right To Repair - A Hot Issue [pmurray] by 0patience
Apr 04, 2007 (5:19 pm)
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Replying to: pmurray (Apr 04, 2007 12:41 pm)

I currently own a Honda Odessey and a Chev. Colorado. Both have oil service lights. The Honda owners manual tells you how to reset, with Chev. it is top secret. When I called my dealer they put me on hold forever and told me no one knew how. That is either scarry or.....just annoying.
The Chevy oil change reset on post 96 vehicles is in the owners manual.
#40 of 133
Re: The warranty [Mr_Shiftright] by 0patience
Apr 04, 2007 (5:27 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 04, 2007 7:16 am)

As far as OBD2 scanners and code readers, you should be able to pull generic codes on most vehicles. "
Generic codes are P0100-P1000 diagnostic codes.
 
The part where it gets sticky is the proprietary or manufacturer specific codes. Those are parts that are proprietary to the specific manufacturer.
 
A lot of the newer scanners in the $300-$600 range will have the manufacturer codes for at least Ford, GM and Chrysler. Some are now carrying the manufacturer codes for Toyota and there are a few that carry the manufacturer specific code information for Honda.
 
For the most part, emissions codes are in the P0100-P1000 range, so most scanners will handle them.

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