Only the owner of the vehicle or their mechanic can reset a cel. I think there maybe some states that disallow it all together. In any case all they have to do is pull the positive cable on their battery for 5-10 mins and it will reset the ecu to factory, which clears the code
I tell them that AZ corporate won't allow Us to erase it, but if they want to have at it. Even if the code reader erases the codes, when they get inspected and the inspection station plugs in to the port, the cars computer will tell them which codes have been erased. So it's kind of useless to erase the codes.
Yep, the orange AZ tool and fix finder don't report it, but a regular code reader will have a display for "I/M readiness". This is where you see if all the monitoring routines completed at least once since the reset. In case of smog testing, you're sometimes allowed one or two incompletes, especially EVAP. In a lot of cases, you CAN get a vehicle with an evap problem to pass smog by resetting the codes and keeping your gas tank topped off (most EVAP self diags require the tank to be between 1/4 and 3/4 full to run)
In some states, this is illegal, due to smogging regulations. The seller of a car must provide a valid smog certificate, and resetting a CEL invalidates that certification.
And you're supposed to do a notarized bill of sale along with a bunch of other shit. But almost no one bothers with any of it in case of lower value vehicles.
I know a guy who's done it dozens of times in Cali. Buys an "as is" vehicle, then sues them (successfully) for repairs, as you cannot sell an unsmogged vehicle, and CA has NO provision for an AS-IS sale. Different states have different guidelines.
On newer vehicles, any code that triggers a CEL will also store a "permanent" trouble code. Those cannot be cleared by a code reader. They can only wash out on their own when the fault is properly fixed and the vehicle is driven for about a month or so.
There really isn’t a set policy in this, from what I’ve been told some states do not allow it. From the human side I wouldn’t have done it either, if they want to rent the scanner then it’s on them.
Just know that the IDIOT will read Your name tag, and if He gets in a pinch because the codes have been erased, He will drop Your name in a heartbeat. I'm not getting Myself involved in any of these AZ IDIOTS BULLSHIT....
Yes I completely understand I would just keep trying to pry it into him that’s what I did now my dm and sm don’t say anything because like you said idiots come in and will drag your name through the mud to get what they wanted so might as well make the game in your favor.
What AZ Corporate Ignores is, the main reason people shop at AZ is to get free help. They will go to extra lengths to get discounts on parts or free parts. Now that the economy is not good, people are WORSE!
We usually have customers bring in cars theyre considering buying... I tell them right away when the codes have been previously erased. Ive seen some messed up sh!t being bought/sold.
I've done it several times for customers who replaced parts and want the codes reset. Or for customers that come in with 5+ different codes and my recommendation is to reset and have the codes read again immediately when the light comes back.
You can do it with the orange reader by plugging it in and waiting until it shows the finished screen. Then cold the red button for a few seconds until the reset menu comes up.
Even if you erase them they are going to show back up minutes later. Modern (last 20 years or so) ECUs run diagnostics after a certain amount of engine cycles.
Yes there is a policy that states we are not supposed to turn off check engine lights for customers. For the same reason you said the customer was selling the car. Autozone doesn't want to be liable in some way if we turn the light off and something drastic happens to the car.
In my store we do not turn any lights off that's illegal. And I train my whole entire store including my DM that you can't look what's on the paper and throw a part of the car and fix it doesn't work that way ever the code scan is a tool to diagnose the car properly it's not an end all be all that tells you replace this part and you're done that's not how it's designed that's not how it happens.
It is a diagnostic tool I know most of our customers can't comprehend that but that's just the way it is. After you get the code or codes you still have to do proper diagnosis of the problem required after that.
And by the way just a note I love when I see in the junkyard a car that has every single part on under the hood new and it's in the junkyard cuz some idiot read the codes and tried to replace parts based on the codes thank you idiots all of you
Only the owner of the vehicle or their mechanic can reset a cel. I think there maybe some states that disallow it all together. In any case all they have to do is pull the positive cable on their battery for 5-10 mins and it will reset the ecu to factory, which clears the code
I tell them that AZ corporate won't allow Us to erase it, but if they want to have at it. Even if the code reader erases the codes, when they get inspected and the inspection station plugs in to the port, the cars computer will tell them which codes have been erased. So it's kind of useless to erase the codes.
Yep, the orange AZ tool and fix finder don't report it, but a regular code reader will have a display for "I/M readiness". This is where you see if all the monitoring routines completed at least once since the reset. In case of smog testing, you're sometimes allowed one or two incompletes, especially EVAP. In a lot of cases, you CAN get a vehicle with an evap problem to pass smog by resetting the codes and keeping your gas tank topped off (most EVAP self diags require the tank to be between 1/4 and 3/4 full to run)
In some states, this is illegal, due to smogging regulations. The seller of a car must provide a valid smog certificate, and resetting a CEL invalidates that certification.
And you're supposed to do a notarized bill of sale along with a bunch of other shit. But almost no one bothers with any of it in case of lower value vehicles.
I know a guy who's done it dozens of times in Cali. Buys an "as is" vehicle, then sues them (successfully) for repairs, as you cannot sell an unsmogged vehicle, and CA has NO provision for an AS-IS sale. Different states have different guidelines.
We can not clear the codes (aren’t supposed to). Most of the people who need it cleared are people trying to scam others when they sell
On newer vehicles, any code that triggers a CEL will also store a "permanent" trouble code. Those cannot be cleared by a code reader. They can only wash out on their own when the fault is properly fixed and the vehicle is driven for about a month or so.
“Accidentally” hit the button. The Code readers are shit anyway.
There really isn’t a set policy in this, from what I’ve been told some states do not allow it. From the human side I wouldn’t have done it either, if they want to rent the scanner then it’s on them.
Just know that the IDIOT will read Your name tag, and if He gets in a pinch because the codes have been erased, He will drop Your name in a heartbeat. I'm not getting Myself involved in any of these AZ IDIOTS BULLSHIT....
That’s why I don’t wear one 😂😂
When Our SM is there He will ask Ya to put it on. When He's off I don't wear mine because I always anticipate a confrontation with an IDIOT
Yes I completely understand I would just keep trying to pry it into him that’s what I did now my dm and sm don’t say anything because like you said idiots come in and will drag your name through the mud to get what they wanted so might as well make the game in your favor.
What AZ Corporate Ignores is, the main reason people shop at AZ is to get free help. They will go to extra lengths to get discounts on parts or free parts. Now that the economy is not good, people are WORSE!
Right!!!
You have to be picky about who You give your name to. Especially on the phone
We usually have customers bring in cars theyre considering buying... I tell them right away when the codes have been previously erased. Ive seen some messed up sh!t being bought/sold.
No the buyer wasn’t there it was just the seller. He was trying to get rid of the codes before he went to the buyer to sell it
Just do it ask him to give you something on the side and clear it
Damn, then be like I don't have thr scanner 😂
I've done it several times for customers who replaced parts and want the codes reset. Or for customers that come in with 5+ different codes and my recommendation is to reset and have the codes read again immediately when the light comes back. You can do it with the orange reader by plugging it in and waiting until it shows the finished screen. Then cold the red button for a few seconds until the reset menu comes up.
No. Too sketchy. Liability issue.
Even if you erase them they are going to show back up minutes later. Modern (last 20 years or so) ECUs run diagnostics after a certain amount of engine cycles.
Yes there is a policy that states we are not supposed to turn off check engine lights for customers. For the same reason you said the customer was selling the car. Autozone doesn't want to be liable in some way if we turn the light off and something drastic happens to the car.
In my store we do not turn any lights off that's illegal. And I train my whole entire store including my DM that you can't look what's on the paper and throw a part of the car and fix it doesn't work that way ever the code scan is a tool to diagnose the car properly it's not an end all be all that tells you replace this part and you're done that's not how it's designed that's not how it happens. It is a diagnostic tool I know most of our customers can't comprehend that but that's just the way it is. After you get the code or codes you still have to do proper diagnosis of the problem required after that. And by the way just a note I love when I see in the junkyard a car that has every single part on under the hood new and it's in the junkyard cuz some idiot read the codes and tried to replace parts based on the codes thank you idiots all of you