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Automakers to Make Diagnostic Codes Available

Posted by michael on from the keys-to-the-kingdom dept.

Rubbersoul writes "As reported on /. a few months ago independent auto repair shops are a bit tense about not having access to car computer diagnostic codes. Well it seems that now the auto makers will share these codes after all. According to an article at CNN the codes will be available to all professional mechanics as well as amateurs working out of their garage at home. Good to see the auto makers came around on this one, even if it did take Congress to help a bit."

1 of 185 comments (clear)

  1. Next to Useless by dnoyeb · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As someone who works in the industry on the engineering side I am very familiar with their "codes."

    The codes will be USELESS to a mechanic. A mechanic needs a "TOOL." A mechanic is not a programmer or engineer. He will still pay $300 for the tool to read the codes. he will still pay $100 per 'module' for each car's codes he wants to read.

    He can do that now. So the hope is that more tools will be developed and that will bring the cost of the tools down.

    Don't confuse this with any ability to modify anything. These will be read only idiot codes like "o2 is out of range" or "Low Voltage."

    It still takes a good mechanic to find the problem and often, VERY DAMN OFTEN, the codes are simply misleading the mechanic when his nose and ears have already given him the answer.