Has Anyone Used A Car Scanner?

[Busyman]

I am tired of getting charged a over $100 for a diagnostic at these fucking dealerships so I bought an Auto X-Ray

http://www.autoxray.com/xcart/files/d_275.jpg

I figure it would pay for itself with 1 or 2 uses.

I have an engine coil pack for each cylinder (8) and when one goes bad you can't tell without a code reader. The dealer charges each fucking time to check this.

I figure this'll work for future cars as well.

Has anyone else used one? Do you own one?

[Gripper]

No but it looks pretty cool.

[j2k4]

I am tired of getting charged a over $100 for a diagnostic at these fucking dealerships so I bought an Auto X-Ray

http://www.autoxray.com/xcart/files/d_275.jpg

I figure it would pay for itself with 1 or 2 uses.

I have an engine coil pack for each cylinder (8) and when one goes bad you can't tell without a code reader. The dealer charges each fucking time to check this.

I figure this'll work for future cars as well.

Has anyone else used one? Do you own one?

A code reader can be an advantage if you are at all mechanically inclined.

Generally speaking, you still need some documentation in order to make proper sense out of what the reader will tell you; for example, if it tells you
the number one cylinder is misfiring, there are several possible causes for that event, ranging from a defective spark plug all the way upstream to the module and/or computer.

Deciphering which it is, is the problem-a cheap reader will tell you that your cylinder is misfiring, a better one will narrow the list of possible offending parts.

You can assume the documentation you received with the scanner will be a pale imitation of a real code book-if you're serious about this, you should get one of those, next, and you will probably also find you want a better code-reader, too.

Once you get all that together, you'll still have the problem of translating a part name to an actual part, and finding same, be it under-the-hood, or wherever else it might be.

Again, if you're serious, spend a couple of hundred on proper manuals and a good scanner, and see how good you are.

Those hundred-dollar-bills you've been dropping with your mechanic might begin to seem cheap, once you've bought several hundred in new parts you don't need; remember, for the most part, they cannot be returned for refund or credit.

On the other hand, you may turn out to be pretty good at diagnosis.

One never knows, do one?

I have one around here, somewhere, and I use it occasionally.

[Busyman]

I am tired of getting charged a over $100 for a diagnostic at these fucking dealerships so I bought an Auto X-Ray

http://www.autoxray.com/xcart/files/d_275.jpg

I figure it would pay for itself with 1 or 2 uses.

I have an engine coil pack for each cylinder (8) and when one goes bad you can't tell without a code reader. The dealer charges each fucking time to check this.

I figure this'll work for future cars as well.

Has anyone else used one? Do you own one?

A code reader can be an advantage if you are at all mechanically inclined.

Generally speaking, you still need some documentation in order to make proper sense out of what the reader will tell you; for example, if it tells you
the number one cylinder is misfiring, there are several possible causes for that event, ranging from a defective spark plug all the way upstream to the module and/or computer.

Deciphering which it is, is the problem-a cheap reader will tell you that your cylinder is misfiring, a better one will narrow the list of possible offending parts.

You can assume the documentation you received with the scanner will be a pale imitation of a real code book-if you're serious about this, you should get one of those, next, and you will probably also find you want a better code-reader, too.

Once you get all that together, you'll still have the problem of translating a part name to an actual part, and finding same, be it under-the-hood, or wherever else it might be.

Again, if you're serious, spend a couple of hundred on proper manuals and a good scanner, and see how good you are.

Those hundred-dollar-bills you've been dropping with your mechanic might begin to seem cheap, once you've bought several hundred in new parts you don't need; remember, for the most part, they cannot be returned for refund or credit.

On the other hand, you may turn out to be pretty good at diagnosis.

One never knows, do one?

I have one around here, somewhere, and I use it occasionally.

Yeah I've read what you just wrote, off many websites.

I got this scanner for $140 and wifey's pops works at a dealership.

For instance, he'll change my engine coil pack but he needs to know which one.

[j2k4]

Then you've done very well, indeed.

That's good help.

[Busyman]

Then you've done very well, indeed.

That's good help.

Yeah thanks for the advice.

Right now I'm trying to find good prices on the internet for engine coil packs for the Lincoln LS V8. I have to make sure they are reputable.

Wifey's pop gets discounts on parts so that's always there but I've seen coil packs on the internet for half the cost. I might try one but I have to do more research.

[Jagarga]

can you stop calling him wifeys pops, he's your father in law ffs.

[Busyman]

Awaits j2 to chime in.

[j2k4]

Awaits j2 to chime in.

I am not aware of any change in your marital status, though I cannot claim to have ever known what it was, given your penchant for "girl" talk.

If you are indeed married to the lady, you have a father-in-law.

I assumed your use of the appellation "wifey" to indicate you hadn't done the deed yet.

I would be extremely wary of any automotive electrical parts purchased over the 'net.

[Busyman]

Awaits j2 to chime in.

I am not aware of any change in your marital status, though I cannot claim to have ever known what it was, given your penchant for "girl" talk.

If you are indeed married to the lady, you have a father-in-law.

I assumed your use of the appellation "wifey" to indicate you hadn't done the deed yet.

I would be extremely wary of any automotive electrical parts purchased over the 'net.

You are on the money and agreed (as I mentioned).;)

I don't know what you mean by girl talk though.:unsure:

[Barbarossa]

If I find something is wrong with my car, then I'm going to have to pay to get it fixed. Therefore, I'd rather not know :mellow:


It's not for me :)

[Skweeky]

Mu dad was a mechanic so he always fixed my sister's car.

The bastard died before I got one though :@

The pure nerve of that man.

Wait till I see him again

[j2k4]

Mu dad was a mechanic so he always fixed my sister's car.

The bastard died before I got one though :@

The pure nerve of that man.

Wait till I see him again

All in good time.

For now, though, slow down a bit. :)

[Busyman]

Mu dad was a mechanic so he always fixed my sister's car.

The bastard died before I got one though :@

The pure nerve of that man.

Wait till I see him again

You could always unearth the bones and salt n' burn 'em Sam and Dean stylee.

How else is pops gonna learn?