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I thought those cheap code readers from Harbor Freight were junk until last month
A buddy in my shop in Boise swore by his $39 unit for basic stuff like clearing check engine lights. I always used my big Snap-on scanner, but when mine was out for repair, I tried his. It pulled the same P0420 code on a Civic and cleared it just fine for the smog check. Has anyone else had a cheap tool surprise them like that?
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the_drew5mo ago
Man, that's the truth right there. I got one of those cheapies as a gift and it just sat in my toolbox for years. Then my fancy scanner's battery died right when I needed to check a code on my own truck. That little thing read it perfectly, same as the expensive one would have. It really makes you wonder what you're actually paying for with the big brand names sometimes, you know? For the basic stuff most people need, they're totally fine.
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keith_owens35mo ago
Wait, you cleared a P0420 code just to pass smog? That's wild, man. That code is for the catalytic converter, it doesn't just go away for good. The cheap reader cleared the light, sure, but the underlying problem is still there. I'd be shocked if that car passes the actual emissions test, the numbers don't lie. That's a temporary fix at best.
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