I called the most local Honda Dealership (still over 60 miles away) to see how much it would be for them to pull the codes for the two lights showing up in my '04 TL. (The /!\ and VSA lights) and he told me it would take them more than an hour to hook my car up and pull the codes.

Does that sound right?
He said they would only charge me $40, which sounds reasonable - but he also said "I would bet money it's something we won't be able to fix here - you'll have to take it to an Acura dealer." (He was a real Gem to talk to.)

 

I believe those codes are stored on the HDS. Honda Diagnostic System.
I'm not sure what all entails to pull the code tho.

you could try going to an auto parts store, but i dont think those codes are stored.

if it were my car, I'd check the brake lines and vsa lines under each wheel. making sure all wires are intact and not cut.

 

They're not engine codes, so they don't show up on a regular reader - we already took it to AutoZone and got nothing. The Acura Dealer in OKC told me $110 to diagnose it. Grrrrrrrr!!!! Might have to bite the bullet on this one.

It just seems like bull that it would take them an HOUR and I would have to schedule an appointment to take it in.

 

did the lights on the dash just appear all of a sudden or were they there when you bought the car?

 

There when I bought it.

 

I would look for loose connections first.
maybe some one forgot to plug a sensor back up.
or a wire was cut from debris.

obviously, brakes are working since you drive to and from work everyday.

 

An hour to pull the code? Definitely not. It will take them about 30 seconds. It may take them an hour to actually hook up the computer though... lol

 

All dealerships charge a hour for diagnosing, when they pull codes they are diagnosing... I know it's bs.

 

+1 its standard fee, nothing you can do about it.

also, anyone know if honda dealers can cut acura keys?

 

But don't they also, usually, credit/wave the diagnostic fee if you have them fix the issue?


I'm putting in an early bet for Wheel Speed Sensor.

 

I have a ODBII code reading machine of my own and I can tell you from personal experience of pulling codes on my friends' cars, (jeep, Hyundai, nissan, chevy) it literally takes one minute to hook up and get the code. but im not positive what could be going on if you already went to AZ and they couldnt pull anything...

 

Are you sure you're not inadvertently turning off the VSA? Or, when it's on, does it flicker momentarily if you lose traction?

 

I have worked for dealers for 15+ years and most charge an hour diag, but like bearcat said they usually apply that to the cost of repair if you get it fixed there...that's just my experience...

 

yes usually they will deduct it from the repair bill, but not always, depends on your relationship with the dealer

 

It takes about 5 minutes to get your car in and retrieve codes but the time adds up from the time you sign the RO to the time that RO gets dispatched. That could take 15 minutes. Then the tech most likely can't jump on it right away, that's some more time. Etc.

Now if your talking about paying for an hour of labor. I dunno look around for another dealer or go to an independent shop?

 

There's a lot of misleading information in here. It's standard to charge for 1 hr diag. time. For $40.00 the service writer is sticking it to the technician who will diagnose your car. Good for you, bad for the technician. At the dealership, there's a lot of time wasted between the moment you sit down with the writer to when your papers are printed to when the dispatcher actually finds someone and last but not least to when the technician gets it, road tests, does the safety check list and FINALLY gets to scan the vehicle. You may lose 20 mins right there.

A normal technician would have done all that in the order I said. Once he/she has scanned the vehicle they would write it on the R/O (Repair order) the code with what it means, then go to the computer see what Acura would want you to do. It has a bunch of things to do and check, basically diagnosing for you except your doing the labor work. After all that crap and you figure out what's wrong you get prices and availability on what's needed to repair the issue then the writer informs you. In most cases the entire hour is taken.

Ive been doing this for 10 years I assure you from being in an indy shop to working for Acura as a technician this is how it's usually done regardless or where it's done.

 

I know they charge a minimum of 1 hr - it just doesn't sound right to me that it would TAKE an hour, which he was very clear on.

An OBD reader wouldn't give me the info I need. These aren't engine codes.

Positive. My VSA button doesn't have any effect on my light. First thing I checked. And no, it does not flicker. It's off when I turn the vehicle on and pops on the second I hit 15 mph, stays on until I turn the car off.

Thanks for the info! I don't really need them to "diagnose" it, just need the codes. My husband's a mechanic, so we can look up the codes and make parts/labor decisions on our own. I don't really have a choice other than suck it up, schedule and appointment, and pay the $40. Just frustrating because I need them to do SO LITTLE!! Plug it up, give me the codes, and go about your day. Price for everything I guess.

 

When did you buy the car?

A lot of dealers will credit the money towards repairs but it doesn't seem like you are going to go that route. Maybe you can take it back to where you got the car and see if they will do it for free. It doesn't hurt to ask.

 

Maybe ask if you can put a deposit on the scan tool and do it yourself in the parking lot. It will probably require like $1500 on a credit card, but that's kool if it's refundable.

 

No such luck. We signed an "as is" release. No worries - I won't be going that route again.

 

If you were in local to me I could do it for free. I've got an HDS in the garage.

 

I see.

Did you buy it at an Acura dealership? If you did then chances are they already have done the diagnostics. Maybe you can get the printout. If you already tried all that then I guess you're out $110.