Diagnostic Cost
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Kinston N.C.
Diagnostic Cost
My 1998 C5 coupe started saying that the abs braking system and the traction control system needs servicing. The local Chevy dealer says they will charge me $70.00 just to hook it to the diannostic machine to tell me what is wrong. Is this the norm. or am I being taken? Gone is the day when a mechanic's job was to tell you what was wrong and jow much it would cost.LOL
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 58,515
Likes: 70
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
have you tried getting the codes yourself? that would at least give you an idea.
If you dont know how to do it, here is a link
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1
If you dont know how to do it, here is a link
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: Ashburn VA
Your right, gone is the day where they tell you what's wrong and give you an estimate on how much to fix it (without a diagnostic fee). I guess they need to recoupe all that money they have to spend on the new expensive diagnostic equipment. Another benifit to joining the space age I guess. 
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
Most charge a 1 hour check out fee X's the houtly rate for a diagnoses 
Hooking up a scanner to the vehicle usually does not diagnose a problem,it only helps the tech with the path he needs to take to perform the diagnoses 
With the electronics in todays vehicles,a diagnoses can often be 99% of the time spent on the repair
Hooking up a scanner to the vehicle usually does not diagnose a problem,it only helps the tech with the path he needs to take to perform the diagnoses With the electronics in todays vehicles,a diagnoses can often be 99% of the time spent on the repair
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Port St. Lucie FL
Before you run to the dealer with this problem, by any chance did you just wash and clean the wheels and then you got the DIC to say it needed service?
I also have a 1998 Coupe A4 and mine does it everytime I clean the wheels. It goes away - just hit the reset button and drive it a few miles and then all is well, or at least in my case it is
Jim in Amarillo, TX
I also have a 1998 Coupe A4 and mine does it everytime I clean the wheels. It goes away - just hit the reset button and drive it a few miles and then all is well, or at least in my case it is
Jim in Amarillo, TX
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Probably not an unusual price to pay for diagnostics. I'm glad my dealer only charges $43/hour labor.