• qjkxbmwvz@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 year ago

    I know it’s just a meme, but an OBDII dongle — even a cheap $10 Bluetooth one — is super useful. You can read and reset the codes, and watch stats in real-time if so inclined.

    • Rin@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      My car doesn’t have a reliable km/h gauge so I used an app to poll the speed of the car and show it up on my phone exactly in the way you described.

          • jetsetdorito@lemm.ee
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            1 year ago

            A device talking to satellites in space is less exciting than some wire going to the engine 🤔

            • sep@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Gps is a standard, anyone can do it. ODB2 is a mishmash of vendor spesific magic dust, and trap doors. It is impressive if you find a device that handles any car.

              • grue@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                The basic ODB2 stuff – which includes the speed readout – is a standard mandated by the government. It’s stuff like being able to talk to other modules over CANBUS that’s manufacturer-specific.

    • scottywh@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      The Bluetooth ones are definitely not as good as the dedicated ones but 100% better than nothing.

      It’s vital to know your own shit.

        • scottywh@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          They typically offer more features and info for even only a few dollars difference…

          …and my Bluetooth one died after a couple months just plugged in… Never had a standalone one do that.

    • PsychedSy@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      For older Hondas you can nab a Honda Interface Module for like $100. Installing the nutty pirated software is another fight entirely.

  • rab@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    That’s how a $50 problem becomes a $2000 problem

    • SkepticElliptic@beehaw.org
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      1 year ago

      This is how my buddy blew the engine on his insight. It was burning oil so long that it melted the spark plugs. He could have had it fixed for free but he didn’t know about it until that extension had ended.

      I actually don’t know what was wrong with it because he never let me take a look for him. I offered to have an engine delivered to my house and me and another friend could have slapped a used engine in.

      He was hellbent on buying a new car so he traded it in.

    • ZC3rr0r@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      Exactly. All the memes and stickers about letting the CEL stay on are funny, but if you don’t know what code is triggering the light, you are gambling with your car, or even your safety. Seriously people, get a CEL checked out, and then decide if you feel it’s worth fixing. Most auto parts stores, dealers, etc. will happily do it for you, often at no cost, but at least be an informed consumer instead of just hoping it will be okay.

  • OceanSoap@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    My Honda check engine light came on and… it was a faulty check engine light bulb, got it replaced, no more check engine light

  • gndagreborn@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Bro is getting the most out of his 2006 Honda Civic. He’ll be driving it up until the inevitable heat death of the universe.

  • thepiguy@lemmy.ml
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    1 year ago

    Get a cheap OBD2 scanner. They cost like €5 for Bluetooth ones and will tell you what error codes you are getting. A lot of them are not serious, and would save you a lot of money.

  • Cannibal_MoshpitV3@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Lmao. But in all seriousness taking it in right away or getting a code reader could mean the difference between a $100 fix and a $1200 fix

  • Cyrus Draegur@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    As long as one’s bank account balance is lower than one’s IQ, the check engine light will never be anything more than a suggestion.

    • debounced@kbin.run
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      1 year ago

      98 Camry has joined the chat

      Another old girl that refuses to die, but sure likes to keep me busy and my wallet empty. I’ll get maybe a few weeks to enjoy the peace before something else decides it needs replacing, but luckily I do all the work myself… easy enough these days with YouTube and Toyota Camry forums.

      • bird@aussie.zone
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        1 year ago

        I like the 90s Camries, they have character.

        Can I join in and cry loudly in 95 Honda Legend? And parts?! That’s a good one. There are so many dumb little components on this thing that are all taking their turns to die this year.

  • Chadus_Maximus@lemm.ee
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    1 year ago

    The check other just tells you that your car still has an engine. What you REALLY don’t want to see is that light randomly disappearing. At that point your car no longer cares about the engine and will get rid of it.

  • owatnext@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    In all seriousness, keep up on car maintenance. It’s cheaper in the long run that way. And if your CEL ever flashes, get that checked out ASAP. That means there is a much bigger problem such as a misfire or a fueling issue. Both of those could melt or clog your catalytic converters. Those things are big money.

    • grue@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      And if your CEL ever flashes, get that checked out ASAP. That means there is a much bigger problem such as a misfire or a fueling issue.

      And if you get an oil warning light, pull over and shut the car off immediately (as in, within seconds) or else you’ll need a new engine.

      • Gestrid@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        Seriously. I used to work at a car dealership’s service department. One of the technicians was assigned a lady who didn’t have any oil in her car because of some issue. The warranty was going to cover the repair. He told her to have the car towed in. But, no, she was able to get the car started, so she decided to drive it in. The car died in the service lane as we were about to check it in. The warranty wasn’t going to cover a fried engine that was her fault.

      • nik282000@lemmy.ml
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        1 year ago

        Sigh More Jeep stories. Despite regular oil changes and maintenance my Jeep would occasionally just fail to build oil pressure all together when starting. Shutting down and starting again always fixed it, never had any crud in the oil pan, happened 3 or 4 times a year for 12 years. New owner says it still does it.

  • DaCrazyJamez@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Man, I drive an older German car, and they take their warning lights seriously. Like if you’re driving to the hospital and the gas light comes on, you’re stopping for gas.