California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

[SeaKaye12]

Wow...took me by surprise. They say that it's a STATE LAW keeping them from loaning out the readers that display the OBD-II codes that are stored when your Check Engine Light (CEL) comes on.

Seems strange to me; why would the State want to prevent people from knowing what's wrong with their cars?

From the Store's point of view...they loan the reader...customer finds out what's wrong...and buys the part from them.

Just seems odd....they can loan brake tools and have some NOOB attempt a brake job in their parking lot....testing their work on the interstate on the way home...but they can't loan a CEL code reader.

Your thoughts?

Chuck

 

[kmarine]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

When it comes to government are you suprised. someone from the auto repair technicians association or the dealers association probably lobbied for this law protecting technicians from do it yourselfers.

Government is more about making money than about doing the right thing!

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

This went into effect about 2 years ago. I was surprised as well when I tried to get a loaner.
What it boils down to is that the auto repair industry paid off some worthless p.o.s. politician.
I bought a obd reader at Harbor Freight for $40. They are cheaper now and I think i've seen some models for around $20 on Amazon.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Probably not the best course of action on the part of the State, but the readers are cheap enough now a days and have become such an important part of working on cars, there is really no reason not to have one, I have had one for several years now and it has saved be tons of money in trying to track things down on not only my cars but family and friends cars..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

They probably did that so people would not randomly turn off the CEL instead of a proper repair.

I have a Scan Gauge II installed in one of my Toyota's and an extra cable so I can use it in any OBD port if needed. It just displays codes but has many other functions. Well worth the $150 I paid.

 

[JRJ]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Another lobby doing what they do and we pay

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

As California is the most anal state when it comes to emissions, I would imagine this was brought in under their CARB regulations, often times things that are good quality and pass inspections in other states, don't make the grade in CA and I imagine, the issue with just turning the light off and trucking on down the road without repairing the offending problem would be a major factor, to be honest with you, I am kind of surprised they allow the readers to be sold in CA..

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Saw a nice one at Costco for $89. Some of the cheapies don't do a thourough scan.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

They probably did that so people would not randomly turn off the CEL instead of a proper repair.

Not sure what good that would do. Smog tests in CA not only look for a CEL event but it also looks for the number of cold to warm starts and won't allow a smog test pass until a certain number of those cycles occur. You could clear the CEL but your car won't pass. If the CEL was set by a true emmisions failure, it would come back within the limits set by the number of starts.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

DO some research Bruce on emissions and you will find that VT is equal to CA on ALL emissions testing and regulations..... Yes there are "special" rules here too. ........ that's why our annual inspections are required. VT adopted the CA rules in 2000

 

[bruceb58]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Bummer. At least we don't have to inspect our cars until they are 6 years old. Same in VT?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Nope.... every car regardless of age....... brand new or used.

 

[mscher]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Not too hard to imagine, that a "reset", instead of addressing the error cause, comes in real handy, when there is a "for sale" sign, in the vehicle window.

 

[mscher]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

DO some research Bruce on emissions and you will find that VT is equal to CA on ALL emissions testing and regulations..... Yes there are "special" rules here too. ........ that's why our annual inspections are required. VT adopted the CA rules in 2000

You sure about this?

NOTE: Vehicles manufactured prior to 1996 are exempt from the emissions examination.

http://dmvanswers.com/questions/376...g-check-requirements-for-vehicle-registration

Newer vehicle emission testing is a piece of cake, as everything is computer and sensor controlled. In CA, if your 78' Celica is still on the road (and they still are), it must still meet it's emissions requirements and be tested every other year.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

In BC we also have Air Care in the larger cities. They even made it that if your not a Air Care certified
auto teck you cant work on the cars drivabillity problems. Its dumb and a cash grab. BC went into it at the same time as California.

 

[generator12]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Our tax dollars at work again. You guys keep talking about it and they'll outlaw the readers too.

Can't buy recharging kits for auto air-conditioners in Wisconsin or Illinois either, for the same basic reasons - an end-run around the dealers' repair shops. If you don't occasionally come in for a recharge, they miss out on a chance to tell you that your shocks are shot, your wheel bearings need repacking, there's a broken leaf in one of your springs, and your radio is leaking hydraulic fluid.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Our tax dollars at work again. You guys keep talking about it and they'll outlaw the readers too.

Can't buy recharging kits for auto air-conditioners in Wisconsin or Illinois either, for the same basic reasons - an end-run around the dealers' repair shops. If you don't occasionally come in for a recharge, they miss out on a chance to tell you that your shocks are shot, your wheel bearings need repacking, there's a broken leaf in one of your springs, and your radio is leaking hydraulic fluid.

How true that is.

 

[NYBo]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

Our tax dollars at work again. You guys keep talking about it and they'll outlaw the readers too.

Can't buy recharging kits for auto air-conditioners in Wisconsin or Illinois either, for the same basic reasons - an end-run around the dealers' repair shops. If you don't occasionally come in for a recharge, they miss out on a chance to tell you that your shocks are shot, your wheel bearings need repacking, there's a broken leaf in one of your springs, and your radio is leaking hydraulic fluid.

Nope. It's to prevent the venting of refrigerant to the atmosphere from leaky systems that need repair not just a recharge, or when parts are being changed and the DIYer doesn't have the equipment to capture it as required by federal law.

 

[BeaufortTJustice]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

The United States of America...49 states plus a foreign territory named California.

What next? Oil filters illegal because you might spill oil in the driveway? Glad I am 3000 miles away.

Used to live there, but escaped before the brainwash took hold...lol.

 

[briguy2817]

Re: California Auto Parts Stores Can No Longer Rent/Loan CEL Code Readers

As of the first of the year all California repair facilities must check the air pressure in all vehicles they service. It's supposed to increase fuel mileage and cut down on hydrocarbons being emitted by a car or truck that has to work just a little bit harder because the pressures are a few pounds low.

How freaking lazy are those people in that state that they can't do it themselves? But don't worry, the rest of the country will follow the wonderful laws of this great(cough, cough) state in no time.

Brian