JimG_AZ
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Jim
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2019
- Threads
- 2
- Messages
- 565
- Reaction score
- 922
- Location
- Phoenix, AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Ranger XLT FX4
I used to think the same thing, but I have to say the scan tool at my local AutoZone is now 2/2 with my sons girlfriends 2015 BMW. Her check engine light came on and it nailed the faulty sensor. Her father wanted the BMW dealer to fix it and they determined the exact same sensor was faulty and replaced it. BTW, that was big bill. The second time we used the AutoZone scan tool was to code a new battery. Kind of a long story, but her BMW battery only lasted a year. I think it dropped a cell since it was reading under 8 volts. The BMW parts dept refused to warranty the 1 year old battery. They insisted it had to go through their service department. They wanted $700 to do the battery replacement. If they needed to run any diagnostic tests it would have been extra. She did not have the money for that so off to AutoZone we go to pick up an AGM battery. We certainly were not going to buy another battery from the BMW dealer since they refuse to warranty it. My son has a scan tool that he purchased from Amazon but it would not allow use to properly code the Duralast battery. Because of this there were some electrical issues like the power windows not functioning correctly, etc. So, we drove the car to AutoZone and their scan tool properly coded that battery in a couple of minutes. I have to say I was impressed. Everything is now functioning correctly. I have no idea who makes the scan tool the guy at AutoZone was using, but it way better than the $130 scan tool my son purchased on Amazon.IMO, if you rely on the parts store to scan your codes, maybe don't work on it. The ODB-2 scanner they use is not going to give you info from more than emissions related issues normally. Get an OBD-2 to USB interface and run Forscan yourself, will get data from all the modules and when you pair that with the factory service manuals and electrical manuals, you can normally diagnose most issues, and decide if it's in your tool kit to perform the work.
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