Charge for plugging in scan tool

[master_shake_]

do you charge and how much do you charge?

 

[Gerle]

From who, friends? No.

 

[Bubbleawsome]

Not with friends. I'm not a mechanic or anything though, I just happen to have a scanner.

 

[leper84]

Pocket scanner- free
Big bad scanner- 1.0 hrs to start.

 

[bruceb]

I do only maintenance on my own car. But if I had a shop, yes, a diagnostic fee would apply, with half of it credited if the owner decides to have us do the repairs needed.

 

[Rifter]

no. but im not a mechanic. I just have a bluetooth scanner i use with my phone. works great.

 

[sontakke]

If you visit a shop or store to get the engine code read, then you are a moron and need to be fleeced by the shop. I mean you can't afford $20 (or less) code reader on your own???

 

[bruceb]

Depending on the issue you may be able to read the code yourself. Sometimes you need to be able to view real time data in order to isolate the problem. Also some codes are historical, but not yet severe enough to set a Check Engine Light. If that is the case, some low end scan tools may not show them or do live data.

 

[Rifter]

Depending on the issue you may be able to read the code yourself. Sometimes you need to be able to view real time data in order to isolate the problem. Also some codes are historical, but not yet severe enough to set a Check Engine Light. If that is the case, some low end scan tools may not show them or do live data.

The one i have i got off ebay for 9$ works with bluetooth and depending on the software you intsall on your smartphone its very helpful. You get all realtime data from all sensors and can set it to graph it out however you want with custom time intervals on the graph. You can even set it to "dashboard" mode and it will replicate your dashboard and display all the normal readings from the normal dashboard instruments in a gauge looking format, including some that you may not have actual gauges for like trans temp and oil temps.

It has proven invaluable over the years.

 

[Scarpozzi]

If it saves time and bad guesses, the nominal fee may be worth it. Personally, I do all my own mechanic work unless it deals with my radiator/heater core system flushes... (with some exceptions) Of course, you can always get someone from AutoZone or Advance Auto Parts to scan your vehicle for free....and it takes very little time to have them do it.