My check engine light came on recently on my local shop wants to charge me $215+tax to run diagnostics. Should it really cost that much?

 

Normally, a new vehicle dealer will charge either one or 1/2 hour at their normal labor rate for diagnosis depending on the problem.

 

Thanks, I should've added the detail that this is a small independent Porsche/BMW shop, with maybe 5 employees. $215 is pretty steep, right?

 

Also I just noticed "tax". Since when is labor taxable in California?

 

I think that is high. My PSM failure light was going off and the Porsche Dealer in San Jose charged me $85 for diagnosis. I thought that was fair.

 

I was thinking the same thing...the quote was emailed, so perhaps it was a typo.

What really gets me, aside from the high cost of "checking the computer" is that when the check engine light came on, I hadn't even put 100 miles on the car since I got it back from that same shop, where I had a complete checkup done along with the 45k service and some other work. Seems to me, if a customer just spent $1,000 with you 2 weeks ago, if his check engine light comes on, you check it for him. To turn around and quote me more than a dealer charges....I think I have to find a new shop.

 

Ripoff. Depending on what is wrong, if it's just a general OBD error for emissions and such, you can get it scanned free at any Autozone or better yet, spend the $20 or so on a generic scanner.

The Porsche specific codes will need to be taken to a dealer or someone that has a Durametric scanner.

I would first try the freebie and see what codes are present and do a search here to see what you're dealing with.

 

My Indy does not charge me anything to hook up the computer... Infact my indy does not charge me anything for minor things done to my car... i do have a OBD-II Reader myself so i dont have to drive the 20km to my Indy :P

 

215 is way way to high.

should be .5 hours to pulls and read codes somewhere around 50-70 bucks..
i think you need a new shop.

what year is your car..don't forget emission warranty 7/70

 

Good advice -- didn't know one can get a generic scanner for $20.

My service guy has explained the cost of the diagnostic by saying that there's a diagnostic flow chart for every code in the ECU, with items to test, like voltage and resistance. He says the cost reflects the time it takes for a tech to go through all that. Sounds more involved than I first thought, but I still get the feeling that I'm paying dealer prices.

 

Thats true but to just pull a code takes 2 mins.

it could be as simple as you did not tighten the gas cap last time and thats why you have a code..

They should quote diagnostics based on the code or codes they pull.

 

It's a 2000 C4.

Apparently the diagnostics they're running are a bit more involved than merely pulling codes (see my last reply), but I still think I'm probably paying dealership prices and going 5 miles out of my way to do it.

The reason my car's there in the first place is that the battery died and I couldn't get into the locked hood (long story -- tried the all the usual tricks). Once I had it towed there, he estimated $50-100 to access the battery and check it. And that's a crock. Yeah, I've gotta find a new shop. Which sucks, because I liked and trusted them until today.

 

Usually you should go where you have a relationship. I am in the new car business (not Porsche) and have no problem taking it to another new car dealership. I have found that the cost is rarely any more than an indy and many times less, since they do not have to "reinvent the wheel".

But, no matter what the reason, you are the customer and have the right to take it wherever you want. Don't ever forget "your money is green" and you need to get what you pay for.

 

You make a good point. It's just a shame because I've always much preferred to support an independent shop than a dealer (corporation). But I guess corporations have created such a bad example for so long, that it's hard to find anyone who isn't out to gouge the customer. And that's probably doubly true in the luxury car market, where they can count on most customers never questioning their bill.

 

There must be a few 6speeders out in San Diego who have a Durametric cable...anyone want to help this fella out?