[InvisibleChurch]

INRI

[discostu]

I've never been to a mechanic that couldn't decode the error. I've also never been to a mechanic that relied on the computer. Sounds like we've got a bunch of 2nd rate mechanics annoyed that they can no longer cover for their own incompetence.

[Willie Green]

They don't call 'em "idiot lights" for nothin'.

[Joe Bonforte]

Got a problem, get a program.

Standard liberal mantra.

[corkoman]

The car maker's policy of whether their codes are in the public domain or not should be broadcasted so consumers can weigh this fact before they buy the car. After that its the maker's product and they can do whatever they want with the codes.

[syriacus]

My husband took our car to a trustworthy mechanic when our "check engine" light went on. He said we needed a part replaced and he would need to order it.

My husband went home and disconnected the car battery. The light has not come back on since then. Later we bought a manual (we had none) which says to take out the fuse and put it back in.

It turned out our mechanic couldn't get the replacement part. There was a nationwide shortage of the part.

[MikeO]

I recently had a problem with one of my vehicles. I put a "scan tool" on it, and it spit out 4 "fault codes", only one of which was "defined", the other 3 were proprietary. My cheapo tool gave the actual codes, the couple-thousand dollar job the local mechanic had simply reported 3 undefined codes. We were able to determine the problem by looking at other readings while the car was moving. Problem was a dealer-only part, so I went to the dealer. His manufacturer-provided tool pinpointed the problem without having to drive the car 100 yards or so - he wouldn't sell me the part without making sure it was what I needed, since electrical parts are not returnable.

The codes would be real nice to have, but not as necessary as the congresscritters would leave you to believe. They should NOT pretend to be mechanics, auto engineers etc.

[det dweller too]

In one of my previous jobs, I worked on these things. ALL cars now are controlled by onboard computers. The error codes are computer fault codes and many times are not hardware based. For example, if the computer detected something out of spec, it can go to a "limp home" strategy. This is a default calibration that will work in any driving condition. The car will run but will have poor performance and mileage. There may not be anything wrong in the hardware, and if so, you cannot find anything wrong, the car will just run lousy.

[Ragin1]

Is there anthing this group of pompous asses will not dive into?

[ksen]

Sure am glad there is nothing pressing facing the country so the Senate has time to entertain things like this.

[cruiserman]

All you need is an OBDII reader for '96 and later. Earlier rigs need a paper clip :).

[1Old Pro]

I think BIG AUTO including European makers are playing games here.