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Why does the Check Engine Light still require a code reader?
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TC
Novice
Jan 21, 2016, 1:28 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1262 views)
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Why does the Check Engine Light still require a code reader?
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I'm shopping for a new car, and I just discovered that modern cars -- cars with computer screens built into the consoles -- still have check engine lights that require a code reader to decipher.
For God's sake, why?!? Why doesn't the car write the diagnosis directly to the computer screen instead of requiring a code reader? I don't understand...
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2016, 1:43 PM
Post #2 of 5
(1253 views)
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Re: Why does the Check Engine Light still require a code reader?
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The only vehicles I know of that have a on board diagnostic system that can be used by the driver through a display was the older Cadillacs. The OBD laws require the manufacture to allow communications with the vehicle system through a diagnostic port to be standardized. I really don't think the manufacture is going to waste tons of money designing a system that can be interfaced by the driver via a display for the simple fact that most drivers wouldn't know what they are looking at or even how to use it. Besides there are multiple companies that make tools to interface the vehicle through the diagnostic connector.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 21, 2016, 1:48 PM)
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kev2
Veteran
Jan 21, 2016, 1:45 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1250 views)
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Re: Why does the Check Engine Light still require a code reader?
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capitalism ! unchecked unbridled
feel the bern
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2016, 1:56 PM
Post #4 of 5
(1248 views)
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Re: Why does the Check Engine Light still require a code reader?
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TC - this isn't anything new now. Well over 30 model years and people still can't read how to change a tire so why expound on your dash or something? It isn't telling you what to replace or repair but rather what it sees and which circuit involved. Takes a tech most of the time anyway to interpret that into a fix or service,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 21, 2016, 5:45 PM
Post #5 of 5
(1234 views)
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Re: Why does the Check Engine Light still require a code reader?
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I'm sure in the future the cars will be able to find the problems on their own. Just like the HAL9000 did in 2001 Space Odyssey. "Dave, there is a short in the injector circuit. Dave, I read your lips, you can't disconnect me." " Dave, why are you doing this?" " I can't take cheap gas, Dave."
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Jan 21, 2016, 5:50 PM)
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