Car diagnostic price

masterboy123

What's the usual price for "Check Engine" code diagnosis at car repair garage?

I am getting Check Engine sign with some jerky ride at times and would like to get it checked.

Not sure if it's very expensive to get it checked only

tom tit tot

A cheap way to get some more info on the fault would be to look at the computer error codes yourself, it's surprisingly easy. A bluetooth OBD II plug costs about 15 euro from Amazon, then you plug that into the car (the socket is probably under the steering wheel or glovebox), and get an app on your phone to connect to it. I use Torque pro for Android.

Atlantis50

It cost me €50 from a main dealer. It'd likely be less from an Independent Garage.

After that, I did what Tom has recommended and bought a cheap code reader from Amazon.

I'd caution that such a code reader does not diagnose the problem as such but it can give a good indicaton of the nature of the problem. It would also be useful to turn off the warning light. That was partly why I bought one. I had a driving test coming up (the tester won't do the test if there's a warning light on the dash) and although the garage reset the light when the diagnosed the problem, they had to wait for a part to come and it wasn't due in until after the date of my test. The light did come back on a few days before the test and I turned it off with the code reader. Paid for itself there and then as a cancelled test would have cost €85!

rex-x

tom tit tot wrote: »

A cheap way to get some more info on the fault would be to look at the computer error codes yourself, it's surprisingly easy. A bluetooth OBD II plug costs about 15 euro from Amazon, then you plug that into the car (the socket is probably under the steering wheel or glovebox), and get an app on your phone to connect to it. I use Torque pro for Android.

The only problem with this is it will only pick up OBD codes, not manufacturer codes so has extremely limited uses and information as it may show no codes when there are in fact dozens, also wont cover abs, airbags etc etc

tom tit tot

rex-x wrote: »

The only problem with this is it will only pick up OBD codes, not manufacturer codes so has extremely limited uses and information as it may show no codes when there are in fact dozens, also wont cover abs, airbags etc etc

That's where the app comes in, Torque pro is a paid app (it cost me a fiver) but it's really good and is able to decipher the code into English. Free apps mightn't be as good but you can still find out what the particular code means through a quick Google.

Also, if you didn't see any codes when there are in fact dozens as you say, then it sounds like there's a problem with either the cars computer or the app you're using. The OBD device is only an interface between the two.

Final point - you say it wont cover abs? I got my OBD reader because of an abs problem, and it pinpointed exactly where the fault was and what part needed replacing. Again, it's just a way to access data in the cars computer. If there was a scenario where it's not possible to diagnose abs, airbags etc etc then that's a limitation on the car itself and any mechanic would encounter the same problem.

CreepingDeath

tom tit tot wrote: »

Final point - you say it wont cover abs? I got my OBD reader because of an abs problem, and it pinpointed exactly where the fault was and what part needed replacing.

I've the same bluetooth OBD dongle and Torque Pro setup, and it detected a low pressure warning in my air conditioning unit.
I knew there was a leak, but nice to see it picked it up.

rex-x

tom tit tot wrote: »

That's where the app comes in, Torque pro is a paid app (it cost me a fiver) but it's really good and is able to decipher the code into English. Free apps mightn't be as good but you can still find out what the particular code means through a quick Google.

Also, if you didn't see any codes when there are in fact dozens as you say, then it sounds like there's a problem with either the cars computer or the app you're using. The OBD device is only an interface between the two.

Final point - you say it wont cover abs? I got my OBD reader because of an abs problem, and it pinpointed exactly where the fault was and what part needed replacing. Again, it's just a way to access data in the cars computer. If there was a scenario where it's not possible to diagnose abs, airbags etc etc then that's a limitation on the car itself and any mechanic would encounter the same problem.

I don't use apps, I have proper diagnostic gear. People dont understand that there are both obd codes, P0341 for example and also manufacturer codes which torque and cheap readers wont be able to read DS437 is an example of a Renault code. There can be loads of codes on the car but cheap readers just wont pick them up as they are OBDII only.

And you say its just a way to get information from the computer, remember that each module has its own computer and its for this functionality that you pay for real gear, to be able to read them all properly, a mechanic would not have such problems

masterboy123

Many thanks everyone.

Paid 15€ for diagnostic at a garage. Initially he quoted for 30€ but problem was only with car key and it took only few min.

Had car service light coming up often but mechanic told me to use other car key as this car key is causing issues (as per computer) so I will use other car key and hope it resolves the problem then.