Now anyone whose taken there car in knows if you bring it in your guaranteed to pay at least $100 because if you dotn need a repair you still have to pay for the diagnostic test
Can you really afford that for to long? I know I cant.
So I've decided to find out the codes myself it turns out I found a Automotive Diagnostic Tool that not only reads codes that tells mechanic's what exactly is wrong with your car but it also provides in "DUMBY" words what is actually wrong if there's something wrong with your engine and will tell you exactly where in the engine and what it is doing and why it is doing this so even a person who knows nothing about mechanics can fix it.

I know this tool the cheapest ones that tell you the exact problem cost around $120 now if you get one with just codes and know somebody who knows what those codes mean you can get one of those tools for $40 at your local autozone.

I know I'm not the only one who would want a tool like this and trust me I know nothing absoulty zero about cars and this tool helped me for the first time change my oil and do many things I would be scared to do figuring I would mess something up.

Does anyone know any tool like this, that I could go out and buy to help improve my car.

Also not only this diagnostic tool you should get a portable battery charger its amazing and does wonders all you need is a spark in the battery and even if you leave your lights on all night don't worry plug your battery charger tool into the wall and hook it up to your car battery and wait 5 minutes you've got a brand new battery.

Anyone know any good tools other than these two?

Thank you so much

Buy an inexpensive test light and/or multimeter for checking:

. Fuses:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-trucks/faq-how-troubleshoot-repair-maintain-hondas-selected-other-vehicles-46563-3.html#post252145

. Sockets.

. Other basic electrical systems.

Liljohnny,

You're kidding yourself if you think there's any scan tool that can tell you EXACTLY what's wrong. Sure it may tell you the code in words you can understand. But as any pro will tell you, the code is just a clue in a puzzle. Is the code the underlying reason for the problem or is it just a symptom. Thousands of oxygen sensors get replaced every year because the code says Oxygen Sensor lean. So you spend $70 on a sensor and are real proud of yourself for replacing it, only to find out the sensor was telling the truth and that the root problem was a vacuum leak.

A real technician uses a scan tool as a starting place. If you use it as the final diagnosis, you'll be replacing a LOT of unnecessary parts.

But since you think auto repair is so mindless, requiring no skill at all, be our guest and support the economy!! I'll be buying stock in auto parts companies.

Yes and after you do your test and have no idea how to still fix it, or have the 5000 dollar test equipment then when it goes into the shop guess what they still put their test equipment on it, and still charges you the test fee.

Great commentary, RickMN.

Liljohnny,

You're kidding yourself if you think there's any scan tool that can tell you EXACTLY what's wrong. Sure it may tell you the code in words you can understand. But as any pro will tell you, the code is just a clue in a puzzle. Is the code the underlying reason for the problem or is it just a symptom. Thousands of oxygen sensors get replaced every year because the code says Oxygen Sensor lean. So you spend $70 on a sensor and are real proud of yourself for replacing it, only to find out the sensor was telling the truth and that the root problem was a vacuum leak.

A real technician uses a scan tool as a starting place. If you use it as the final diagnosis, you'll be replacing a LOT of unnecessary parts.

But since you think auto repair is so mindless, requiring no skill at all, be our guest and support the economy!!!! I'll be buying stock in auto parts companies.

Amen, brother! You too, Father. :)

Parts replacer techs are a dime a dozen out there nowadays. A real tech knows how things "tick" to get to the root of the problem. And that only comes one way... experience!

Besides the Code reader, a Sensor Tester will help. Many readers don't read the "Fast Codes"
A tone generator and an inductive amp are a great help, as well as a DC clamp on Ampmeter.
90% of troubleshooting will be done with a multimeter. A $5 test light is priceless.
The best tool is the Troubleshooter, putting these tools to work.

You all bring up very good points... On the other hand...
I changed out the engine in my Girlfriends 98 mustang a few years back. It was about 2 days of standing on my head to get the old one out and new one it. The car ran great for a month or so, then a check engine light came on! I grabbed my obd2 tester and plugged it in to find the gas cap was loose. A penny saved is a penny earned!
I think they are great tools, and like you say "A good place to start looking for the problem". Especially when we have such a great bunch of people here, ready to help.

Yes Thank god for people who make tools like this to help people who know nothing about cars try and fix there own.
Sure you can't fix every problem unless you are a mechanic but most times it's a small problem that can be fixed even by people who know notihng about cars like just changing the oil or a loose gas cap instead of turning your car over to a mechanic who normally charges double because the customer doesn't know the actual price.

I meant no mechanic to "Some" Mechanics I have met some that are very kind and try to give people discounts even at my local kia parts/services place however if you find one who is trying to rip you off they will never leave you alone hoping you will finally give in and let them fix your car. Trust me I've had bad run-ins with people like that and that's why MOST people don't trust mechanics because of there reputation so I'm sorry to disappoint but its absoulty 100% true.

Don't want nobody getting ripped off so just get that Diagonstic Scanning tool from any AutoZone and Troubleshoot and find out the problem yourself, do some research find out the actual cost of getting that code fixed and then see what your mechanic says.
Luckily I know someone who is a mechanic and instead of paying $2000 for a starter which a mechanic told me it would cost I just made a call was told a starter was not nearly that much and only paid $500 for it.

Watch your back there are wolves out there.

I think the reason many of us are here is to give regular people a chance against against cons and scams. Why pay hundreds or thousands for something simple.
Good Luck.