So my SES light came on last night and I'm not sure why so I went to Auto Zone to borrow an OBD2 scanner to check it out. Guess what? You can't borrow it any more in CA! Some law passed in CA banning the lending of OBD2 scanners to 'normal people'. Now if you want to see what's wrong with your car, you have to pay for it (or buy a scanner). WTF!!!

 

You can buy a ODB code reader for about $35

 

And the number of this law is what? Reference please.

 

I have heard about this as well. There are several complaints in other car forums too, all the way back to 2008.

 

Goddamn California is an awesome state!

 

i read in another forum that autozone or kragen got sued in california by someone who said they got the wrong diagnosis.

 

Ah.. might as well...

 

That wouldn't cause the state to outlaw them, if that was the case, places like Autozone or Kragen would just stop offering the service.

My guess is that a special interest group (i.e. repair shops) lobbied the state to get the law passed. After all, you irresponsible children can't be trusted to fix your own cars, can you?

 

That's what the guy told me. Damn special interest groups.

 

no, just dumb california liberals

 

AutoZone won't lend them out here either. We have people come into our shop and ask if we can run the code scanner on their cars. We charge $15 to do so, since it helps pay for the scanner. Some people don't like that we charge $15, so they say, "Well, can I borrow it and scan it myself so I don't have to pay the $15?" and I ask, "Do you even have the slightest idea how to work it?" and they always say "No." Mind you this machine cost big bucks to buy, and there's no way I'm going to leave it in the hands of someone who doesn't know a damn thing about using it.

 

Cali is lethal. Don't mess with it.

 

So, why not just read the flashing lights???

 

How can it be hard to use?

My flashing light says "Service Engine Soon"