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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
11:54:17
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 Subject: Illegal to clear codes?
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I got an engine light on my ’03 Dak. Using the turn the key on 3 times trick, I read P0456 which is the famous small leak in fuel system. My idea was to replace the gas cap and have the code cleared at AutoZone to see if that fixed the problem. However, the folks at AutoZone say it is ILLEGAL for them to clear the code. WTF? Is there some law that says I must use a dealer (and get charged $50) to have the code cleared? It seems rather stupid. Are there any ways to clear the code without going to the dealer?
This sounds like some scam. They were able to clear codes about 3 months ago. What happened over the past few months? Is this some anti-terrorist thing?
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99bludak
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
11:57:31
|  RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Just unhook you battery and turn the key for 30 seconds and that should clear your codes.
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SR
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
11:59:38
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Won't disconnecting the truck's battery for about a minute clear stored error codes? This works on my Ford-powered motorhome.
BTW Doug, how do you do the "turn the key on 3 times trick" to read codes?
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daffydak
GenIII
9/16/2004
12:55:10
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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without cranking the engine: on-off-on-off-on. It should say "P-Done" if you don't have any stored codes..
The trick works on my 00 Kota, it did NOT work on my 98...
00 CC Sport Plus 4.7L 4X4 Auto, 3:55 LSD
Flowmaster orig. 40 series (2 chamber) muffler, adjusted tps to .76V, ported TB, home brew intake setup w/K&N filter, more mods to come!!!
Dan
MOPAR=More Power!!
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
13:03:41
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Doesn't 'turning on the truck for 30 seconds while battery disconnected' also clear any programming?
daffydak has the correct instructions. It works on my '03. The codes I get are:
P 0456
------
P Done
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jb
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
13:16:23
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Just drive thr truck, the code will eventually reset itself. When i had the same code i replaqced the cap and after a week if driving and no more issues the lamp shut itself off as as it should.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
13:57:55
|  RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Oh yea, and thanks for the information, 99bludak. I sometimes forget to thank people for information.
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Atlantic BLue
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
14:13:01
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Isn't your truck still under warranty? It is an '03 right? Let the dealer pick up the tab for the gas cap and clear the code. It shouldn't cost you anything.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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9/16/2004
14:27:10
|  RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Thanks for the other suggestions, jb and Atlantic Blue.
I'm out of the 36k mile warranty. I drive my truck about 24k miles a year, so truck/car warranties don't last very long for me.
The funny thing is, we (my wife & I) drive HER car most of the time. It is a 2000 Furd Taurus and it has 125k miles on it. We got it used with about 20k miles back in 2002. It took us a little over 2 years to put 100k miles on the car. It gets 'good' mpg of 25-30 the way we drive it. That's a whole lot better than 15-20 mpg with my truck.
On my original question, has anyone heard that clearing the codes (other than by the dealer) is illegal? Were the guys at AutoZone just stupid or did the Feds or Alabama pass a 'protect the dealer profit margin’ law?
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Jeff
GenIII
9/16/2004
19:35:11
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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it is only 'illegal' for autozone or other businesses to clear the codes because the deep pockets at DC decided they want you to come back to the dealer for as much stuff as possible ("while you're here, why don't you get your .... serviced.") in some states they've been successful and others they haven't.
here in lawsuit-happy california my local autozone manager nervously laughed when i asked about them clearing/checking codes. said "DC and other manufacturers prevent them from legally doing so."
so, not sure if it was a threat of suit, legislation, or what, but many states are like this. too bad for the consumer.
Jeff
'99 3.9 clubcab
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mj
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
01:33:57
|  RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Why dont you just buy a code reader from auto zone that clears codes and do it your self. Its not rocket science. Code readers also come with the definitions. cool huh?
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cool
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
07:51:40
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Did you know that when a dealer hooks up his scanner to your truck he can see the top speed you drove your truck and when you did it? No kidding.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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9/17/2004
09:54:30
|  RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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I thought that a code reader was several hundred dollars. I will check one out. Thanks for the idea.
When I could get the code read/cleared at AutoZone for free, there was no incentive. Hum, maybe that's the reason they stopped clearing the codes, to get $$$.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2004
20:26:20
|  RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Here is the response from Auto Zone:
We can check or pull codes but cannot reset lights because we are not a
licensed repair facility -basically it's state law issues that prevent us
from doing so.
Thank you
E-Commerce Customer Care Center
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Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2004
21:50:41
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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makes you wonder what all info the dealer can pull. I do remember reading about GM putting "black boxes" into some models (corvette was one). When people found out about them they went nuts about privacy issues. The black box was like that on an airplane, recorded alot of data. GM was using it to keep track of vehicle performance as relates to warranty repair, etc. They could tell how fast a vehicle was going, how long the brakes were applied ,etc. I'm not sure how long ago or when that stopped.
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Silver Bullet
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
00:12:54
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Here in NY the GM black box is in the news. It is being used as evidence against a driver involved in a fatal accident. A 17 year old in a Corvette was drag racing an hit and killed two people. The prosecutors are attemptng to have the black box admitted as evidence. The black box showed that the kid was going 139 mph at the time of the accident in a residential area. Although the concept scares me, I hope the kid in this case fries. Scary though how they could pull that information.
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DAHEMIKOTA
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
00:18:38
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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GM never stopped installing them . Now they are in Caddys. Ford is doing it also. Just think, with the black box, a GPS system like GM ( On Star) uses to find lost souls, The cops can tie into the system and see where you are. If you are speeding, they can just E-Mail you a ticket. " They know where you are,they know what your doing". Then your insurance company will most likely get access to the data and raise your rates if you go two MPH over the speed limit. Just think, the possabilities are endless....BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING........ Have a nice day!
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Rod
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
04:05:56
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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It's only going to get worse with the codes. There's talk in D.C. about having automakers install software in the vehicle's computer that will degrade it's performance every time it's started after the "service engine soon" light comes on, until finally it won't start until you have it hooked up to a diagnostic computer. Their excuse is pollution control - if an o2 sensor or something like that isn't working properly, then the emissions are affected. I don't think it will take much to convince the automakers to do this to increase traffic at the local service department.
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
09:06:12
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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The black boxes are in up to 90% of vehicles right now. There is legislation pending to require that notification be posted in owner's manuals. Of course, how many of you read the owner's manuals BEFORE purchasing a car? Do yu think the dealer would take it back because you don't want a black box? Right now there is no requirement to tell you. They have already been used by police to decide who's at fault in an accident. Watch for your insurance payout to be denied.
"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for enough good men to do nothing." VOTE. WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMEN.
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Matt4.7CC
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
11:16:04
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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Bob:
Regardless of who's at fault, insurance still has to pay. You could be drunk, high on crack, going 120 through a school zone and splatter 14 kids-and your insurance still has to pay. Wouldn't be much point to insurance otherwise.
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Germ
Dodge Dakota
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9/19/2004
12:32:45
| RE: Illegal to clear codes?
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I had heard about the black boxes, but I wasn't sure whether they started putting them in or not. Can't you just tear it out? I mean, I can honestly see the good in them, but I can also see the bad. I just get tired of all the computer crap that goes into the cars now.
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