E46 Code Reader
 

Anyone have one of these a buddy of mine can borrow? He threw a code and wants to see what it means prior to bringing in to the dealer...

Bill,
I have a good OBD2 reader that you are welcome to borrow.

Any generic OBDII reader will work. I threw a few codes on my E46 and my reader correctly diagnosed the issue. But....if you're taking it to a dealer, they'll still charge an hour diagnostics even if you write down the code and issue for them. Unreal.

Hey guys thanks for the offer. Buddy said the light turned off and will just hit them up at the next maintenance schedule. Thanks VERY much and sorry for the non-need.

Any tech worth his salt is going to do his own diag. regardless of what the owner of the car tells him the codes are.

X2 and if the light went off, it more than likely happened after the car was warmed up and he hit the throttle. I'm thinking 02 sensor. Although I have been seeing a rash of cam sensors failing on the E46.:roll:

That's true. But how was I able to pull the code and see which O2 sensor it was in under 2 min., but the dealer charged 1.5 hrs. for it and ended up - ta da - replacing that O2 sensor? I didn't care, as it was insurance work and I didn't pay a dime. I would never take my car to a dealer for anything other than warranty or insurance work anyway. When I take my 993 to ASG and tell them exactly what I want done (if I happen to not have the tools or time to DIY it), they don't rack up a dime in diagnostic charges. They fix what I tell them I want fixed. If that didn't cure the problem, then it would be my problem or they'd call me and see if I wanted them to look around some more.

An decent OBDII scanner can be very useful, and can make some faults simple to DIY. The OBD system relies on a number of 'monitors', which are actually software routines that monitor specific parameters. In most cases, a monitor will set a code, but will not set the CEL until it sees a second code in the next two or three driving sessions. If it doesn't see the second code, the first code is cleared.

The scanner will show this as a pending code fault for that monitor. You can see what's up, and in many cases identify the specific component. That's typically true for O2 sensors, where the code will tell you which of the four was involved. This makes it easy peasy to replace the offending sensor.

In other cases, the codes can be misleading. My daughter's Acura threw EGT valve codes all the time. I replace the EGT, but the codes kept coming. Turns out that there was a major mod to the EGT system required, including a new EGT valve. After a bit of research, I discovered that Acura had extended emissions system warranty on her model [1997] to 150,000 miles. The dealer applied the mod, replaced ALL ignition parts [plugs/wires/cap/EGT valve] free under the warranty AND sent me a check for the cost of the EGT valve I had bought. Now THAT's service!!!

Just because you have an O2 sensor code does not mean that you need a sensor. Knowing the difference is why you get charged the diag time at the shop. Plus someone has to pay for the 20K piece of equipment they hooked up to your car.