CEL in California

[SCRunner12]

So my CEL came on last night on my way home from work. I was merging onto the freeway and it popped on. This morning I went to get it scanned and O'Reilly's (Kragen), Autozone and Napa all don't scan codes. The guy at Autozone said they don't scan codes in California and haven't for the past 7 years or so. :crybaby: Is this right?

I'm going to call a few other places and see if they can do it or just call a shop. My 4runner runs the same, but I was going to clean my MAF soon and possibly replace my O2 sensor soon as well.

 

[noneckrex]

my CEL came on when i first bought my 4Runner and after cleaning the MAFS and the TPS it went away. never to be seen again.

 

[Nelsonmd]

Yeah, Cali doesn't allow code checking. Cali blows. Just grab a 40% off coupon code from advance auto parts and go buy their simplest code reader. Even at retail it is cheaper than the dealer charges just to read the code once.

 

[brian2sun]

Such a dumb law. Go get it checked though, you never know what it is. I'm guessing O2 sensor.??

 

[Outdoorlogic]

I say grab a Scan II tool.. Helps with codes, and monitor your system.. I have Pikemans and dont want to give it back :vader:

 

[Nelsonmd]

I say grab a Scan II tool.. Helps with codes, and monitor your system.. I have Pikemans and dont want to give it back :vader:

Oh yeah, if you can afford it, definitely go for the SGII. I love mine.

 

[SCRunner12]

Yeah I plan on getting a SCII, but $150 isn't in my price range right now. I called a small local parts store and they scan the codes for free, so I will be heading over there after work. :frog: California is great, but they majorly suck sometimes.

I'm hoping its the O2 or a dirty MAF. Might give me an excuse to work on my car this weekend.

 

[Outdoorlogic]

A can of MAF cleaner fixed me right up... Hope its the same for you

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Pep Boys had a sign on their store window recently saying that they check CEL's for free. I need to go in myself to have mine checked. I grabbed a can of CRC MAF Sensor cleaner and it didn't change anything for me. Oh well, at least I know it's clean :bigok:

 

[bikerjosh]

Codescan

Hey SCrunner12, I'm not close, but if the auto parts store doesn't pan out I'm up in Walnut Creek and have a OBD2 scanner if you need to check your codes as well as a crap load of tools and space.
Just offering it up if you don't have something closer.
Josh

 

[SCRunner12]

Hey SCrunner12, I'm not close, but if the auto parts store doesn't pan out I'm up in Walnut Creek and have a OBD2 scanner if you need to check your codes as well as a crap load of tools and space.
Just offering it up if you don't have something closer.
Josh

Wow thanks man. I'm heading to the store now, so hopefully it works out. I might have to take that offer though when its time to put my lift on.

 

[SCRunner12]

And we have a winner! P0171, going to be cleaning my MAF this weekend.

 

[Baja Runner]

You can buy a good scanner that will give you live data and goes to your laptop for like $35. I got mine on Amazon.

 

[Pikeman]

I say grab a Scan II tool.. Helps with codes, and monitor your system.. I have Pikemans and dont want to give it back :vader:

Cough..um yeah and don't think I forgot where it is either...LOL. Then again with me being gone a month and the truck being out of commision it wasnt a problem letting you hang onto it, besides I think I still have something of yours that was helping me out while my truck was down.


SC- hopefully cleaning the MAF and everything will get you squared away this weekend.

 

[Creedence]

I just bought one from Amazon. Got the Autel MaxiScan MS300 Scan Tool, was on sale for $29.99 plus super saver shipping. Works for me on my 4Runner, pretty basic with an instruction book.

 

[SCRunner12]

Update: Cleaned my MAF and throttle body this last weekend. My MAF only had one screw holding it in place, so I'm happy I got to that. The CEL has not come back on since.

Also I just bought a Scangauge II off craigslist for $66 shipped. Looking forward to getting it after the weekend.