Auto scan tool
Auto scan tool by Master-Tech Mark: You can skip the reasons to own a car scanner and scroll right down to read specific articles about check engine light common problems. There are also articles about scan tool operation at the bottom of this page. And recently added is the Ebay Live scanner auctions all the way down! If your on the fence about getting your own scanner then the answer to your question is to follow. Having your own auto scan tool can help you save money and time by avoiding an unneeded trip to the dealership or automotive repair center for diagnosis. It is very common these days to have your service engine soon light just pop on. The monitoring system that activates the light is very sensitive.
Not only will this tool read and erase codes with one button operation but it also has an urgency indicator. This will let you know if the codes set in memory are one of the many intermittent nuisance codes or something that may cause damage to your engine if not addressed quickly. This is the perfect diy auto repair tool for beginners. But let me give you a little background on what turns on the service engine soon light and why the light exists at all.
The service engine soon light comes on to notify the driver that a code has been set in memory. Sometimes the code relates to a serious problem, but in most cases it's a minor malfunction or intermittent condition. If you have your own auto scan tool You can answer the number one question in everyone's mind when that check engine light comes on. Of course the question is, why is this light on and how to reset the codes. An auto scan tool can give you the answer quickly.
After a few times using the tool for diy check engine light repair you will no longer fear the dreaded warning light. In fact You can also help family and friends with this common car problem! All you have to do is plug in the automotive scanner hit the read button, and it will pull a code from the computer that points to the system malfunction. It will then give you the option to reset the check engine light. I recommend you write down the code number before you hit the erase button.
Auto scan tool reason number two
When a service engine soon light is turned on, and you take your vehicle to the dealership. The first thing they do is connect a scanner to retrieve the code. They take this code and look it up in their auto service manual. In most cases, the first step in diagnosing any code is to clear or reset the check engine light code and see if it returns as a hard failure. If the auto repair center clears the code, and it does not return, the problem is considered intermittent. In this scenario, you have just been charged at least one-hour diagnosis for little or no actual auto repair help. If you had your own automotive scan tool, you would be able to retrieve and record the code and then clear the code to see if it was an intermittent problem.
If the service engine soon light does not come back on. You have just repaired your vehicle in a span of about 10 minutes. You have also just avoided a trip to the auto repair center, which is priceless. If the service engine soon light comes back on, you will be able to reconnect the auto scan tool and verify that the same code as been set. You would then diagnose the code yourself using an online repair diagram such as All-Data auto repair manuals. Or you can even take the vehicle to your repair center, but with the information that the auto scan tool has provided for you. This can cut down on the shop's initial diagnosis. You have already cleared the codes and done the first major step of diagnosis for the auto repair center. This will save you money on diagnostic charges.
Auto scan tool reason number threeOne of the most common reasons for the service engine soon light to come on is the number one nuisance code for fuel system vapor leak.As of 1996 federal emission laws require the manufacturer to lightly pressurize the fuel system to check for vapor leaks. The vehicle's computer performs this pressure test automatically every time you turn on the key. If you have just filled up your gas tank, and not tightened the fuel cap. The computer will see this as a fuel system leak and illuminate the service engine soon light. The above scenario is not on every vehicle, but on most. This code example is also the poster child for Diy check engine light scanners.
Even if the problem that turned on the light is gone. The equus 3130 auto scan tool on the left is a little more advanced. It can tell you if the code is a present failure or a history code. You can connect your scanner and pull the code and see if it's the fuel system leak code. You can then go around and check your gas cap for tightness and then clear it. You can then continue to operate the vehicle and if the light stays off, once again you have just repaired your own car in a span of about 10 minutes. If the check engine light does come back on again you have cut down the diagnosis time for the repair center and saved yourself some time and money.
I have been using diagnostic equipment for the last 25 years. In 1996, the federally mandated deployment of the obd 2 diagnostic system has changed the way the auto scan tool is used. Below you will find a few helpful articles on this subject of Diy check engine light repair. Give this auto repair resource page a More Information on auto scan tools and check engine lightsCar code readers have become easy to use and a lot cheaper to own. This article shows you the ones I own in 3 price ranges! This next link takes you to my automotive scan tool reviews You have more than likely seen and heard ads for places that will scan your car for free. Before for you go for this service read my article on how much it may cost for free check engine light diagnosis OK with the soft economy people want inexpensive scan tools. But do these things actually work well? I reviewed a laptop usb unit and a hand held on my page about cheap auto scan tools When that annoying check light comes on you may want to by-pass it. Learn about why you should not try disconnecting check engine lights What is the difference between OBD 2 and the OBD1 diagnostic systems. This article lays out the details of the OBD2 VS OBD 1 question Some more in depth information on how the car computer reads the diagnostic information and why the check engine light comes on I really do not approve of the idiot light set up on striped model cars. Here is why and how to replace your idiot light with full gauges Are you ready to turn out the service engine soon light. Good! here is some information on the DIY reset check engine light procedure Fixing your engine light may include learning about the data stream. This article provides tips for reading scan tool data Sometimes diy car mechanics will replace the part if a code sets for it. This can be a costly way to diagnose your failure. Learn how to confirm a failed throttle position sensor Computer sensors that produce their own voltages are discussed on this next page. These include the mighty speed sensor as well as other important automotive computer sensors One of the most common codes to set in your cars computer is the o2 fault. Here is a good article about the automotive scan tool and oxygen sensor codes OK your ABS light is on and you want to tackle some do it yourself diagnosis. You better read this ABS scan tool article Quick Professional Answers To Your Check Engine Light Problems! Search for more auto scan tool information right here!  Custom Search Learn more about me and this auto repair website on the homepage. This next link takes you from the auto scan tool to automotive information
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Resetting check engine lights is a simple procedure. The Actron 9410 code reader makes this task inexpensive and easier then ever. 
