AutoZone is'nt allowed to pull codes anymore?

[Hardwareman]

I just went to AutoZone because my CEL was flashing off and on and then ended up staying on constant and they said they can no longer scan codes or even rent the tool out to scan the codes.

I was happy too because I was hoping this time the CEL would tell me exactly where the problem was. It's been running really good except for a slight miss at idle and maybe it was going to tell me something like EGR insufficient flow or something.....just as long as it was'nt that same P0340 camshaft sensor circuit malfunction. I think I have that one licked but I really was looking forward to getting this new code.

Is there any other way I can pull the code without the scanner? thanks




Allen

 

[smokey]

nope not with out a scanner that I know off. A flashing CEL is a indicator of a miss in cylinder #X at least in past experiance.

 

[Hardwareman]

All right thanks. I guess I'll have to look for the cheapest one I can find then. I don't need one that tells me what's wrong so much as I need one that just gives me the code number.

Yeah, it was flashing for a couple of minutes and then it just stayed on steady. I'll keep everyone posted.



Allen

 

[Copytech]

I bought this one about two years ago. Works Great!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94168

 

[odie1969]

I bought this one about two years ago. Works Great!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94168

thats the one I have. and I never had a problem with it. good luck with your issue.

 

[aogden001]

I never thought about HFreight when I bought mine. I bought 1 at Walmart for 49.99

 

[MoonDoggie]

My wife just got back from Auto Zone with her daughter's Maxima and they put the reader on it and printed out the codes for her. Of course we're in Texas instead of CA (Thank heaven!).

 

[skinner]

I work at autozone, as an ASE certified tech, on weekends for a bit of spending cash. And I can tell you that this is not an Autozone thing. We still read codes. I'm guessing they either were busy or just didnt want to deal with you. I'd try again if I were you and bitch if they say no.

 

[dude772]

I bought this one about two years ago. Works Great!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94168

That one is a rip-off of the one that i have.

http://www.mactools.com/Mac/Mac+Products/Catalog/Electronics/Scan+Tools/ET50

Onsale at $60. Came with a disc for all the manufaturer specific codes. Works good.

 

[86freebie]

Ijust as long as it was'nt that same P0340 camshaft sensor circuit malfunction. I




Allen

what motor is that on. i have a 98 contour with the 2.0 vetec motor that has a camshaft sensor code that i cant get running right. yes new sensor but the bitch is missing, dying, no power, it has the vct (variable camshaft timing) i had the code reader on it. forgot exactly what code it was but it was a camshaft sensor code. now it says "the timing is to retarded. with the camshaft sensor disconnected it idles great does not miss does not die. BUT NO POWER. it will do 70 but i could probably put my foot out and stop it.

it has 167000 miles on it but everyting is in "specs" about 140 psi in all four. plug are descent. this was a check engine light that i ignored for months then all of a sudden. bam no worky

i know this is not a ranger. knock on wood that is running like a champ. but if you have any ideas please throw them at me

 

[Hardwareman]

I work at autozone, as an ASE certified tech, on weekends for a bit of spending cash. And I can tell you that this is not an Autozone thing. We still read codes. I'm guessing they either were busy or just didnt want to deal with you. I'd try again if I were you and bitch if they say no.

Well up here where I live, (high desert southern california) there are 5 different AutoZones that I know of and all of them now have a notice taped to their door stating they can no longer scan or rent scanners for vehicles. Here are their phone #'s.
1. 760-947-7598
2. 760-955-7566
3. 760-247-1414
4. 760-948-1140
5. 760-245-2004

Feel free to call any of them, although they may help a fellow AutoZone employee....haha




Allen

 

[Bryan22]

Ya im in ca with the same thing... i think it's some kind of new law or something, at least thats what the note on the door says....

 

[skinner]

Wonder if it violates any state law or if the district manager just decided to quit doing it, because none of us in the midwest have quit doing this. I'll let you know if I can find something out for you.

 

[Will]

One problem is that a code is only a tool to help diagnose something. Just because it says an O2 sensor is reading out of range doesn't mean that sensor is the problem. So they sell you a sensor you don't need and the problem isn't fixed. It's like telling the nurse on the phone you have chest pain, she diagnoses indigestion and calls in a perscription and you drop dead an hour later. No way that's going to happen--she'll tell you to take your ass to the emergency room. I wouldn't let amatuer sales people tell me what to buy by plugging in a code reader. It's a scam and Autozone should stop doing that. Even if they qualify what the reader says, most people would still buy the part.

 

[skinner]

Hey Will,
I don't know whether you have had bad experiences(understandable) or are talking from your buttocks.
I've been around the forums for a while and you are a pretty good guy in my opinion and i've always enjoyed reading your posts until now.
And you must understand that MOST AZ employees are 18 yr old asshats who need a job. I work there because I like helping people and I need 2 years experience to get my certs...for no other reason than having them really. I make more than TWICE hourly at my full time job than i do at AZ. Anyhow, correct procedure is to scan a code, then to go inside, cross reference the code, and print out a list of causes. NEVER does it list THE PROBLEM and recommend a part. It gives you a list of things that could cause said problem. For instance, if O2 sensor is reading rich, the first thing it says is that if both banks read rich suspect MAF sensor or other fuel problem. And we at my store make sure people understand that we are only telling them what the computer says is wrong, and aren't telling them we can magically fix things like they think we can. How is reading codes that YOUR vehicle has stored a scam? We are telling people what their car says is wrong with it. If they ask the most likely reason, we'll tell them. But that's because people are too cheap to go get a real diagnosis ran. And anyone with half a brain or interest in a vehicle will know to check things out first. We just TRY to the point them in the right direction.