what up with car hunters ??

Buy an OBD2 scanner. Many are under $100. Diagnose your own problems.
http://us.dinodirect.com/cars-accessories-car-accessory-discount-auto-parts-automotive-car-accessories-auto-car-parts-automotive-car-parts-car-auto-accessories-interior-car-accessories.html?vn=RGlub2RpcmVjdEZ1Y2s&AFFID=3846&source=sem&gclid=CMb-1JTppbUCFQWonQodwikA3w

I mentioned the scanner because many places do charge for diagnostics. The "Check Engine" light on my wife's car came on a few years ago. We took it to the dealer, Toyota down at Caribbean Auto Mart. They hooked it up to their scanner and told me that the gas cap was not screwed on tight. They tightened it up and the light went out. Who would have guessed that the check engine light comes on for a loose gas filler cap. No other indicators.

They charged $110.

Went out and bought a scanner for $25. Now I can check the reason for the "check engine" light and reset it myself if I want to.

If your check engine light is on and need a code scanned you can PM me.

Buy an OBD2 scanner. Many are under $100. Diagnose your own problems.
http://us.dinodirect.com/cars-accessories-car-accessory-discount-auto-parts-automotive-car-accessories-auto-car-parts-automotive-car-parts-car-auto-accessories-interior-car-accessories.html?vn=RGlub2RpcmVjdEZ1Y2s&AFFID=3846&source=sem&gclid=CMb-1JTppbUCFQWonQodwikA3w

Then you can buy service manuals with electrical diagrams, driveability manuals with flow charts, and a D.V.O.M. to diagnose the problem. And if the $100.00 scanner you bought doesn't support certain tests you can't diagnose it. Just because a scanner gives you a code for a sensor it doesn't mean it's the sensor. It could be any of 50 things that the sensor is related to. Just resetting the light leads to bigger problems later.

Then you can buy service manuals with electrical diagrams, driveability manuals with flow charts, and a D.V.O.M. to diagnose the problem. And if the $100.00 scanner you bought doesn't support certain tests you can't diagnose it. Just because a scanner gives you a code for a sensor it doesn't mean it's the sensor. It could be any of 50 things that the sensor is related to. Just resetting the light leads to bigger problems later.

But probably not when the scanner tells you to tighten your gas filler cap.

I mentioned the scanner because many places do charge for diagnostics. The "Check Engine" light on my wife's car came on a few years ago. We took it to the dealer, Toyota down at Caribbean Auto Mart. They hooked it up to their scanner and told me that the gas cap was not screwed on tight. They tightened it up and the light went out. Who would have guessed that the check engine light comes on for a loose gas filler cap. No other indicators.

They charged $110.

Went out and bought a scanner for $25. Now I can check the reason for the "check engine" light and reset it myself if I want to.

That's because their scanner costs about 12k. They're not there to tell you what's wrong for free. Any car built after 1996 sets the C.E.L. if the gas cap is loose. It's in the owners manual.

That's because their scanner costs about 12k. They're not there to tell you what's wrong for free. Any car built after 1996 stes the C.E.L. if the gas cap is loose. It's in the owners manual.

Yet my $25 scanner and laptop software tells me the same thing, check the gas cap! I know, I tested it.

As for this being in the owners manual. It is. There is no central spot which tells you all possible causes for the CEL coming on. This problem is mentioned under the paragraph on the gas filler cap and its operation. Problem is most people do not read the owners manual from cover to cover and most people think they understand how to operate the gas filler cap. I guess we don't!

That's because their scanner costs about 12k. They're not there to tell you what's wrong for free. Any car built after 1996 stes the C.E.L. if the gas cap is loose. It's in the owners manual.

Yet my $25 scanner and laptop software tells me the same thing, check the gas cap! I know, I tested it.

As for this being in the owners manual. It is. There is no central spot which tells you all possible causes for the CEL coming on. This problem is mentioned under the paragraph on the gas filler cap and its operation. Problem is most people do not read the owners manual from cover to cover and most people think they understand how to operate the gas filler cap. I guess we don't!

Your $25.00 scanner and laptop software only gives possible causes. Your gas cap is part of the evaporative emissions system which monitors leaks in the fuel system related to recycling vapors rather than being vented into the atmosphere. There are about 12 codes just for that system. Your software recognizes only the code for the D.I.Y. 'er. Your $25.00 code reader is just that. It's made for the consumer for such concerns.
And it does state in you manual that a loose gas cap will set the M.I.L. I didn't say it has a section on P codes. Later models placed a sticker right on the fuel filler neck because people never open the manual.

There are codes for small and large evap system leaking. There is no lighted sign on the car that points with an arrow saying the leak is right here. Several places can leak on your evap system. Your code reader cannot do the following.... It cannot close the evap valve and vent solenoid like the factory scanner can do. I cannot put a special smoke in the system to find the leak that the other factory tool can do. It' takes time to hook all this equipment to the car and inspect every line and part of the system for a leak. Just because it was 110 to find out it was the gas cap doesn't mean that was the only thing involved.. They did the correct diagnosis to your car.

It would have been another case of the "crappy CAM mechanics" if they didn't correctly diagnose this and the light came back on due to a
Leak somewhere else in the system after they tightened the cap. I do this every day and it's not an easy job. I wish a scanner would tell me the problem. It would make my life easier after 30 years in this biz.

There are codes for small and large evap system leaking. There is no lighted sign on the car that points with an arrow saying the leak is right here. Several places can leak on your evap system. Your code reader cannot do the following.... It cannot close the evap valve and vent solenoid like the factory scanner can do. I cannot put a special smoke in the system to find the leak that the other factory tool can do. It' takes time to hook all this equipment to the car and inspect every line and part of the system for a leak. Just because it was 110 to find out it was the gas cap doesn't mean that was the only thing involved.. They did the correct diagnosis to your car.

It would have been another case of the "crappy CAM mechanics" if they didn't correctly diagnose this and the light came back on due to a
Leak somewhere else in the system after they tightened the cap. I do this every day and it's not an easy job. I wish a scanner would tell me the problem. It would make my life easier after 30 years in this biz.

Thaaaank You! Every one thinks working on cars is sooooooo easy. Wouldn't it be nice if we could buy a $25.00 code reader an fix every car in 5 minutes. Then to top it off they think they're being ripped off. If they're all so smart they can fix it themselves. 🙂