Engine Codes - Pulling/Reading/Clearing. Can I buy my own scanner and clear them

[W O T]

Something is definetely going different in my car, sounds like it may be bogging when I give it a little gas. I believe my CEL light is also burned out or pulled by the previous owner, as it doesnt ocme on, not even at startup

So Id like to buy a code reader, most likely to just return it after I read the code. But can I just walk in and grab a obdII scanner and it will give me the code and have the option to clear it? (Im used to carbed v8's lol)

This is for an 01 qx4 btw, from florida, but its in canada now.

I was thinking that my spark plugs may have possibly NEVER been changed, but I dont know if I have the tools needed for that, think I lost that special tool.

And advice on what kind of code reader I could buy from walmart/canadian tire that would work, and where exactly our "plug" is for it would be greatly appreciated, as I love doing the work myself! lol

Thanks guys

[timmack]

i know here in the states that most auto parts stores will come outside and check the code for free, maybe canadian stores do the same thing? not sure. if you end up having to buy one just to return it, cheaper is the best. all it needs to say on it is "OBDII" . as far as the location, its under the dash on the drivers side, to the right of the hood release. its a little rectangular black plug.

[mpeatc5]

check out sears. i bought the actron pocketscan for $80. it was well worth the money at the time, as my '01 pahtfinder was throwing 3 different codes at the same time.

you can probably find them cheaper elsewhere, like ebay or craigslist. but here is the link to see what they are.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/sea...=find

the code reader comes with the book and software to install and look up almost all models. it won't read my BMW, as that is a differnt port.

"bogging down " symptoms could be the usual suspects with our cars like,MAF, VTC solenoid and / or sensor .

if you don't want to spend the money, go down to your local pepboys or whatever you have and they should read your code for free.

good luck

[W O T]

yeah knowbody here in canada reads codes for free, we dont have pep boys. Im just gonna go buy a nice scanner and probly bring it back as im sure im throwing a LOT of codes to be honest.

Time to spend some money or repairs/maintenace...... hope I can do most myself

[slickroger]

i bought this code reader off of e-bay i was just gonna put up a post to suggest buying like i will in a second, but this code reader read the codes and cleared them. no more $90 bullshyt code reading expense, this is extremely useful and worth it for canadians i believe.

OBD2 code reader

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...74044

[02pathy]

i know here in the states that most auto parts stores will come outside and check the code for free, maybe canadian stores do the same thing? not sure. if you end up having to buy one just to return it, cheaper is the best. all it needs to say on it is "OBDII" . as far as the location, its under the dash on the drivers side, to the right of the hood release. its a little rectangular black plug.

naw we don't get anything for free, and most times the parts store don't know alot about the stuff they sell, it's like 40 to 100 buck to pull a code up here, 10 to 20 if you know a diyer that has one

[Densetsu]

Gotta love Canada, eh?

I've had a reader for a while now. The garage my sister-in-law went to... they charged her $60 to read the codes before they'd give her a quote. Then when she brought the car back to be repaired, they charged her *another* $60 for a second code reading.

$120 just for plugging in an OBDII reader. Geez.

[slickroger]

honestly in an around brampton is ridiculous i mean i pulled 2 codes changed the O2 sensor and cleared the codes with the code reader i bought. they charge like $90 everywhere around here spent $30 pulled and cleared 2 codes, and already got my moneys worth even if you add the cost of the O2 Sensor.

If your in Brampton and would like a code read holla at me on here or my cardomain site which would be better, because that way i get a message telling me i got a message.