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11-19-2010, 08:49 AM
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#1
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
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We'll download your codes, except in California ?
A question to our friends in the Golden State. On the radio today I heard an ad for AutoZone where they claim that they will download your engine codes for free, except in the state of California.
Just curious but what's that about?
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11-19-2010, 09:34 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern New Mexico
Posts: 10,179
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
California is probably trying to figure out how to tax it first.
__________________
SMB-less as of 02/04/2012. Our savings account is richer, but our adventures are poorer.
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11-19-2010, 09:45 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,841
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
Download my codes? Is that good? Have no idea what that means, except the free part.
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11-19-2010, 10:03 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
When you get a "Check Engine" light on your dash it means the car's PCM (Powertrain Control Module, AKA the car's "computer") has sensed some type of an error condition. It stores this information in the form of error code(s). You'll need to download the codes to see what the problem is. There is a socket under your dash where you can plug in a code reader.
Like this one OBDII-Engine-Scanner
You use it to download and view the alpha-numeric codes from the PCM. It also allows you to clear the "Check Engine" light. That's what AutoZone was advertising they would do for free.
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11-19-2010, 10:56 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 372
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
Or you can use a ScanGuage and go to http://www.obd-codes.com/ for a list of ODBII codes. I printed out a set of the generic codes and the Ford codes and keep them in the van. The code part is free, even in California. As I found out though, there is no code for a dead Powertrain Control Module.
__________________
2010 Red EB50 V10, Quadvan 4WD (El Guapo Rojo)
1978 VW Westfalia Champagne Edition (Pepe - gone, but not forgotten)
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11-19-2010, 03:00 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 236
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
You used to be able to go to auto zone and borrow their scanners, you can no longer do that now, I think it has something to do with the people who run this state not wanting their subjects having personal freedoms etc etc
__________________
2000 Ford RB30 PH 2WD -- Eagle Rock California
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11-19-2010, 04:26 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,841
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
Oh yeah, I have a scangauge. I thought downloading was for computers or forklifts.
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11-19-2010, 08:16 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
Posts: 296
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
Have never heard it that way.... "DownLoad your codes"
__________________
07 E350, Custom and Lifted
08 Harley Davidson Street Glide
09 KTM EXC 530
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11-19-2010, 09:09 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,293
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
That might not have been a direct quote. Seeing how I am computer geek I may have just remembered it that way.
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11-19-2010, 09:43 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,841
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Re: We'll download your codes, except in California ?
I certainly know how THAT can happen!
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