Check Engine Light

[packattack425]

Is there anywhere in Ames I can go to get a check engine light diagnostic for free? I know most place charges for this. I thought Autozone did it for free but there isn't one in Ames. I kind of want to know what is wrong with my car so I can either fix it myself or avoid having some auto place to tell me they want to fix a million different things with it.

 

[CoachKM]

I think there I an AAMCO in Ames....they will do it for free!

 

[geburgess]

I think there I an AAMCO in Ames....they will do it for free!

This. Sometime if the local dealer is in town, they will, but not always likely.

Also, this made me think of Big Bang Theory/Penny's car.

 

[packattack425]

Yup there is one on Duff. Thanks

 

[CYKID]

Did you make sure the gas cap was on tight. Seems like a loose cap sets more sensors off than anything.

 

[azepp]

Or an auto parts store, like Autozone.

 

[isufbcurt]

Try O'Reilly in Ames they have a diagnostic tools you can use for free

 

[agcy68]

My light came on a few weeks ago. I changed the air filter and a few days later it went away. Might want to try that.

 

[3TrueFans]

Put some electrical tape over that bad boy.

 

[chuckd4735]

You obviously don't listen to the Murph and Andy show...

 

[ruxCYtable]

Is there anywhere in Ames I can go to get a check engine light diagnostic for free? I know most place charges for this. I thought Autozone did it for free but there isn't one in Ames. I kind of want to know what is wrong with my car so I can either fix it myself or avoid having some auto place to tell me they want to fix a million different things with it.

When you have $50 go to Walmart and buy your own code scanner. It will pay for itself in short order.

 

[chuckd4735]

When you have $50 go to Walmart and buy your own code scanner. It will pay for itself in short order.

How would it ever pay for itself when so many places do it for free?

 

[nhclone]

Don't just start guessing like some have suggested. Autozone on Duff checks it for free. Look up the code they give you online and it will tell you what the problem is.

 

[papaw]

You know this thread is funny. You know that doing it the way you are thinking could cost you a ton. Don't you have an auto repair shop that you feel comfortable with? I thought I saw an earlier thread that told of the good repair shops in your area. What a lot of folks don't understand is that the scanner will give you a code. It only tells you the area of the problem. For example the evap code for a loose or leaking gas cap is the same code that can come up for a leaking intake manifold or other leaks in the evap system.
A good way to handle the problem is to spend your time looking for a good repair shop and working a little harder at your job to make the money to pay for the repair.
Being an old man that has been through these kinds of problems, I have a good electrician, roofer, plumber, and AC guy to turn to.
Papaw

 

[BCClone]

Some brands have lights that come up to just to get the vehicle in to get looked at every so many miles. Some are just emissions lights in case you live in CA or Minny, that forces you to have them checked. If its red, and not a dodge, get it checked promptly. Yellow, wait a couple days and see if it goes off (if a ford and yellow -- its most likely an 02 sensor and just is dusty).

 

[isulive2train]

Put some electrical tape over that bad boy.

Stole my idea!

 

[nhclone]

You know this thread is funny. You know that doing it the way you are thinking could cost you a ton. Don't you have an auto repair shop that you feel comfortable with? I thought I saw an earlier thread that told of the good repair shops in your area. What a lot of folks don't understand is that the scanner will give you a code. It only tells you the area of the problem. For example the evap code for a loose or leaking gas cap is the same code that can come up for a leaking intake manifold or other leaks in the evap system.
A good way to handle the problem is to spend your time looking for a good repair shop and working a little harder at your job to make the money to pay for the repair.
Being an old man that has been through these kinds of problems, I have a good electrician, roofer, plumber, and AC guy to turn to.
Papaw

Getting free information and checking that against current possible symptoms and symptoms of related problems. I don't see where that could cost him a ton extra. Especially if he doesn't have an auto repair shop he trusts, this way he is more informed when he goes in, so he can leave and get a second opinion if the shop seems to be different in their thinking.
Yes, you would think that most auto repair shops would be able to pinpoint a problem, but I once took my vehicle in to CarX there in Ames because I had a leaking tire. They kept it for 3 hours, called twice, and never found a problem. I pumped up the tire, took it home, and the local guy found the small nail in the tire within 10 minutes. Not all car repair places are created equal, and it doesn't hurt to have a general knowledge of the problem when you go in.

 

[papaw]

A check engine light or emission light is a Federally mandated emission light for all vehicles sold in the USA. Some and very few vehicles have lights for maintenance reminders. It is separate from the engine light. Remember if you get an 02 sensor code, if it is an 02 sensor remember that most cars have 4 now. Do you replace them all at $125 ea or pay a reputable shop to replace the one that it needs.
Papaw

 

[ruxCYtable]

How would it ever pay for itself when so many places do it for free?

In my opinion it's rarely "free." Many places that offer to check the codes for free will use the information to try to sell you something. Some places might even lie to customers about what the code means and push them into an unneeded repair.

I have a code scanner that gives me the code, tells me what it means and then gives me three choices which basically boil down to: 1. Forget it and keep driving; 2. Get it checked out at your convenience; or 3. Stop driving immediately.

I can't tell you how many times I've used it and how many unneeded trips to have codes checked out I've avoided in just seconds in my own garage. I'm not a corporate CEO or anything but my time is pretty valuable to me and in my opinion it was $50 well spent. My wife drives a Dodge so it gets a workout.

 

[wxman1]

Just take it to autozone they will do it for free. Quick and easy.