Do dealerships do diagnostics?
When your car has an issue, it can cost money to get the problem diagnosed. You can take it to a place that does a free diagnostic scan, such as AutoZone, but not all problems will be detected by your vehicle’s computer. Dealerships often charge for diagnostic testing.
How long does it take a dealership to diagnose a car?
A standard diagnostic test can take about an hour to an hour and a half. Of course, more complicated issues that require further diagnosis and where components must be removed for access or testing can take 2-3 hours; depending on the severity of the issue or multiple underlying issues.
Why do dealers ask for your license before a test drive?
Before a test drive, the salesperson might ask for your car keys and/or your driver’s license “as security.” Then, when you return and want to leave without buying, the car keys or the license will go missing. “We don’t see it that much anymore,” Sutton told us, referring to abusive dealer tactics.
What’s the best way to test an ignition switch?
The easiest way to test these circuits is to use a battery or a battery charger. If using a charger set to 2 or 10 amps not start!! Connect a power source to the red wire. Connect a test light to the ground side of source. Here is what you should get:
Where is the ignition relay on a car?
Depending on the circuit it controls, the relay may be located under the dashboard or inside the engine compartment in a junction block. Turn the ignition switch to on to energize the particular circuit you are testing, if necessary. Connect the alligator clip from a test light to any good ground on your vehicle.
What causes a car to misfire during emissions testing?
The most serious problems are “probably anything that would cause the engine to suffer severe misfire — that could be a cylinder that loses compression or has a mechanical issue, or the spark plug stops working,” Meier said. “You’ll notice that, because in that case, the check engine won’t just be on. It will flash.”