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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100 |
Hey,
My car threw a CEL today. It has done it once before in 2001; it went on for about two days and then went away, so I just assumed it was bad gas. (Oddly enough, I just filled gas this morning...)
Anyway, I was searching through the troubleshooting forum and everyone says that Advance Auto Parts does free code reading diagnostics. But unfortunately there aren't any Advance locations in the Bay Area (or the West Coast for that matter). I called Kragen, PepBoys, Bermico Auto (Redwood City), and Midas and asked whether or not they do free diagnostic CEL readings. All of them kind of snickered and said no (they all charge about $100). I already know the Ford dealership charges $100 (found that out in 2001). Needless to say, I am not about to shell out $100 to find out I put bad gas in my car (of course it could be something more, like an 02 sensor).
Does anyone know where to get some free diagnostics done?
If not, can anyone with a scanner help me out or point me in the direction of as to where I can buy a cheap scanner?
There seems to be a group buy on some very good scanner software, but:
1) It's expensive ($80, altough probably worth it)
2) Its involved (does more than what I need...I just need a diagnostic)
3) I need to get my code read sooner than later (would have to wait for the group buy)
Thanks for any advice!
In the meantime I'll try resetting the computer and see if that helps.
1998 E0 Ford Contour SVT - DOB 8/19/97 - #3101/6535
Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
Visit MY SVT website * K&N RU-3530 (howls like a MOFO  ) and Homemade Heatshield *
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,496
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,496 |
AutoZone pulls codes for free.
There are members who own diagnostic software and you may be able to link up with one as well.
It sould be great if you could attend the meet were having this Saturday so we get to know you as well.
Money doesn't always bring happiness. People with ten million dollars are no happier than people with nine million dollars ~ Hobart Brown
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,506
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,506 |
Originally posted by Fmr12B:
AutoZone pulls codes for free.
There are members who own diagnostic software and you may be able to link up with one as well.
It sould be great if you could attend the meet were having this Saturday so we get to know you as well.
Chris Autozone No longer does that......I don't know why, but people suspect that its becasue the dealers complained.
But they no longer do it.
Lupe
3.0 SVT hybrid...all the fixens...Track/Race ready very soon!!!!!! 20,000 + miles
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100 |
Originally posted by Roz 1999 SVT-C:
Originally posted by Fmr12B:
AutoZone pulls codes for free.
There are members who own diagnostic software and you may be able to link up with one as well.
It sould be great if you could attend the meet were having this Saturday so we get to know you as well.
Chris Autozone No longer does that......I don't know why, but people suspect that its becasue the dealers complained.
But they no longer do it.
Lupe
Yup, I called AutoZone last night and they said they no longer do this due to a 'pending legal case'....What a bunch of crap. I bet this is whats going on: Autozone is a competitive company that can offer a simple service for free, and Ford gets pissed off because they like to rape people for $100 for this 'service'.
Anyway, I would love to come to the meet (Its been 2 years since I made it out to one), but I am not especially inclined to drive 30+ miles (I live in Belmont) with a CEL. I pulled fuses 4 and 11, and will drive the car after work tonight for the computer to re-calibrate everyting (I am driving my Dad's car for today, as the battery just died on the family Accord beater  ). Best case scenario; If the CEL turns off before the meet, I'll feel confident enough to drive it out to San Jose for the meet...although, if the CEL doesn't go away and I don't find a place that scans for a reasonable price (less than $30) or I can't find a cheap OBD scanner, I might drive to the meet anyway just to get a fellow CEG'er scan it (no way
1998 E0 Ford Contour SVT - DOB 8/19/97 - #3101/6535
Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
Visit MY SVT website * K&N RU-3530 (howls like a MOFO ) and Homemade Heatshield *
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,506
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,506 |
Originally posted by vcontoursvt:
Originally posted by Roz 1999 SVT-C:
Originally posted by Fmr12B:
AutoZone pulls codes for free.
There are members who own diagnostic software and you may be able to link up with one as well.
It sould be great if you could attend the meet were having this Saturday so we get to know you as well.
Chris Autozone No longer does that......I don't know why, but people suspect that its becasue the dealers complained.
But they no longer do it.
Lupe
Yup, I called AutoZone last night and they said they no longer do this due to a 'pending legal case'....What a bunch of crap. I bet this is whats going on: Autozone is a competitive company that can offer a simple service for free, and Ford gets pissed off because they like to rape people for $100 for this 'service'.
Anyway, I would love to come to the meet (Its been 2 years since I made it out to one), but I am not especially inclined to drive 30+ miles (I live in Belmont) with a CEL. I pulled fuses 4 and 11, and will drive the car after work tonight for the computer to re-calibrate everyting (I am driving my Dad's car for today, as the battery just died on the family Accord beater ). Best case scenario; If the CEL turns off before the meet, I'll feel confident enough to drive it out to San Jose for the meet...although, if the CEL doesn't go away and I don't find a place that scans for a reasonable price (less than $30) or I can't find a cheap OBD scanner, I might drive to the meet anyway just to get a fellow CEG'er scan it (no way
Its not really a ford thing, its more of a "total" car manufatur and dealer thing....sucks huh! To take the cel away temoraly, its easier to remove the negative battery cable for 5 minutes.....the fuse thing did not work ofr me and i don;t know why.
Good Luck!
Lupe
3.0 SVT hybrid...all the fixens...Track/Race ready very soon!!!!!! 20,000 + miles
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,496
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,496 |
Dang, I have intermittant CEL's all the time. I just got one on Monday, and it has yet to go away. Oh well, drive it! It turned on when I was stuck in traffic headin down I-80 at 3pm. About 100 degrees out with the AC on and full load of people and a full load in the trunk. I assume O2 sensor, it will click itself off soon enough. might have to check the code with the laptop if it doens but I'm just too lazy to care. 
Money doesn't always bring happiness. People with ten million dollars are no happier than people with nine million dollars ~ Hobart Brown
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 100 |
Originally posted by vcontoursvt:
I might drive to the meet anyway just to get a fellow CEG'er scan it (no way
whoops...never finished my sentence there:
(no way I'm gonna pay Ford or anyone else $100 to read a damn code)
Anyway,
The more I think about it, the more I realize that it is probably just a fluke thing. My car was sitting in my garage for 4 days over the weekend (I went to NY), and then on Tuesday morning I filled up to a 1/2 tank at the gas station. Probably some impurities in the gas or condensation or something.
I am expecting some friends this weekend, but if that doesn't fill my Saturday morning I'm still hoping to make it to the meet.
1998 E0 Ford Contour SVT - DOB 8/19/97 - #3101/6535
Silver Frost/Midnight Blue
Visit MY SVT website * K&N RU-3530 (howls like a MOFO ) and Homemade Heatshield *
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 713
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 713 |
a comunity college with a auto program like los medanos in antioch c.a will pull your codes for around $20.
98 svt sil/blu 3.0 oval heads full P&P, msds headers,bat kit,2,1/2exhaust 30 inch glasspack and 2 spintech mufflers 14.78@94mph
with my mechanical arm i can shift gears in less then a twentieth of a second for sale $7000
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,506
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 3,506 |
Originally posted by vcontoursvt:
Originally posted by vcontoursvt:
I might drive to the meet anyway just to get a fellow CEG'er scan it (no way
whoops...never finished my sentence there:
(no way I'm gonna pay Ford or anyone else $100 to read a damn code)
Anyway,
The more I think about it, the more I realize that it is probably just a fluke thing. My car was sitting in my garage for 4 days over the weekend (I went to NY), and then on Tuesday morning I filled up to a 1/2 tank at the gas station. Probably some impurities in the gas or condensation or something.
I am expecting some friends this weekend, but if that doesn't fill my Saturday morning I'm still hoping to make it to the meet.
Are you going to make it to this saturdays meet in San Jose???? NECO and FOcalJEt may attend (i know NECO is) Let me know so we can wait for you.
Its going to be IN San Jose off of Blossom Hill Rd and Santa Theresa. In the albertsons shopping center. Were meeting at Starbucks next door.
If you need directions(if going) pm me. 
3.0 SVT hybrid...all the fixens...Track/Race ready very soon!!!!!! 20,000 + miles
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