Check out what the dealership told me...

[Dunamis]

I took my truck, 95 K1500, up to the dealership today. I told them that I had a handheld scanner and that I figured since they were the dealership the c ould probablt run a more in-depth diagnostic review of my truck engine/transmission. The lady looked at me and asked if my SES light was on. To which I replied, No. Several people I spoke with told me that they run their checks by what the SES light tells them and that they would essentially do the exact same thing I could do, but they would charge me 95 bucks to do it

They seemed honest in their intentions, so maybe they didn't shoot me a hook...

[toivo]

your scanner will give you trouble codes if there are any but i don't think you can monitor the engine control functions. they can go sensor by sensor but they will charge you for it. toivo

[J-Ri]

Originally Posted by Dunamis

I took my truck, 95 K1500, up to the dealership today. I told them that I had a handheld scanner and that I figured since they were the dealership the c ould probablt run a more in-depth diagnostic review of my truck engine/transmission. The lady looked at me and asked if my SES light was on. To which I replied, No. Several people I spoke with told me that they run their checks by what the SES light tells them and that they would essentially do the exact same thing I could do, but they would charge me 95 bucks to do it

They seemed honest in their intentions, so maybe they didn't shoot me a hook...

All the SES light does is alert the driver that there is a DTC stored in the computer, it doesn't tell anyone anything. If the light is on, there is a code. There can be codes and not turn the light on. If the light was on and then went off, chances are the condition is intermittent and there is currently no malfunction.

What kind of "scanner" do you have? Scan tool or code reader? If it's a code reader, the dealer (or a good independant shop, probably for much less than $95) can do much, much more than you can.

[Dunamis]

I had a AutoXray 2500. I scanned got no code and then used a jumper wire to verifiy I still had no code. I found out it could not capture live driveability data, so I took it back to the store. I spent my "scanner" budget on some much needed TLC for my truck. SO far all fluids/fliters are changed and a new radiator has been installed.

Still no codes!!! YEAH!!!!

[MT-2500]

Cross that dealer off of your shop repair list.
At least they admitted they did not know how to repair it without a code.
They do not have any factory trained techs.
It is a sad situation when a tech has to have a code to check out engine running problems.

I would find a good repair shop with a good scanner and a fuel pressure gauge that knows what they are doing.
A good scanner that will read out engine running data and a fuel pressure gauge is a have to have thing.

Code helps but many problems may not set a code.
Tips on finding a good repair shop.
Check around Ask around
Word of mouth.
Family friends coworkers neighbors business people and delivery people.
Mailmen and parcel delivery people get around and notice a lot of stuff.
Even a good parts house knows what shops are good and not good.
Chamber of commerce and better business bureau and city hall.
If you find a good referral to a repair shop go look them over and talk to them.
Look for a clean looking busy place with nice people running it.
Ask a few questions and ask about their qualifications and training.
Not all places have trained tech/mechanics.
If they do not find a place that does.
Even all dealers do not have all trained techs/mechanics.
MT

What is your truck doing or not doing?
If you explain your problem someone may be able to help you.

[Dunamis]

Here's my situation, my 95 K1500 would run fine at idle, but wjen you get up in speed the truck would seemingly choke itself out. Between my little knowledge of cars and the fear of paying someone money, that I didn't have, to replace things that weren't broken and eventually still not have a desent running truck drove me to park the truck for 6 months. Heck I thought I had a tranny problem. At any rate, the military is getting ready to move me to Delaware. I didn't want to take a dead truck with me, so I started tinkering with it to make it sellable.

I did some research and found out that you can get the codes from thr OBD1 computer with a simple jumper wire. So that's what I did. I found out I had a bad MAP Sensor. I replaced the MAP Sensor, and remarkably my truck ran desent. That made me decide that I may want to keep the truck, seeing as it's paid off. I bought myself a Haynes Manual and started changing fluid's, filter's and the radiator.

At this point I want to have the engine/tranny checked for anything that has a remote possibility of going bad, so that I can replace what needs to be replaced for the truck to functional optimally. Not trying to build a super truck or anything. I just want the truck to function properly. After the engine and tranny are where they need to be, I will being to work on the outside of the truck.

THat's the deal

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Dunamis

Here's my situation, my 95 K1500 would run fine at idle, but wjen you get up in speed the truck would seemingly choke itself out. Between my little knowledge of cars and the fear of paying someone money, that I didn't have, to replace things that weren't broken and eventually still not have a desent running truck drove me to park the truck for 6 months. Heck I thought I had a tranny problem. At any rate, the military is getting ready to move me to Delaware. I didn't want to take a dead truck with me, so I started tinkering with it to make it sellable.

I did some research and found out that you can get the codes from thr OBD1 computer with a simple jumper wire. So that's what I did. I found out I had a bad MAP Sensor. I replaced the MAP Sensor, and remarkably my truck ran desent. That made me decide that I may want to keep the truck, seeing as it's paid off. I bought myself a Haynes Manual and started changing fluid's, filter's and the radiator.

At this point I want to have the engine/tranny checked for anything that has a remote possibility of going bad, so that I can replace what needs to be replaced for the truck to functional optimally. Not trying to build a super truck or anything. I just want the truck to function properly. After the engine and tranny are where they need to be, I will being to work on the outside of the truck.

THat's the deal

when a vehicle is more than 8years old it is extremely dangerous to have dealer do any repair work....


local repair shops will give the best repair/cost solution..


on newer vehicles it is best to bring to dealer as they have the repair knowledge on these vehicles....other non dealer repair shops are learning ....


dealerships make money selling vehicles so it is not in their best interest to fix a 1995 vehicle , but to damage it so badly you will need a new vehicle..

[Will Help]

So true. Dealer repair and body shops are only a courtesy used to get you back close to the showroom. The service managers job is to convince you to spend your money or direct you to the sales floor. They want you to think they can fix anything and if they can't fix it, they want you to by a new one.

An independent garage depends on you returning and telling your friends to come in. They are the ones dedicated on making you happy or they don't eat.

[Dunamis]

Apparently the to people at the dealership that I spoke with actually did have my best interest at heart. I'm going to find a garage somwhere. I just want to know my truck runs like it needs to.