Technician inspecting underneath a vehicle with a work light during a check engine light diagnosis in North Little Rock, Arkansas

What a real diagnosis includes

Why a free code read is not a diagnosis


Our diagnosis is $150 per hour.

A code names a symptom. P0171 means the engine is running lean, which could be a vacuum leak, a dirty sensor, a fuel problem or an exhaust leak. Buying parts off a code number is how people pay twice.

  • Stored, pending and history codes, plus manufacturer-specific codes a generic reader will not show
  • Freeze frame data, which captures the conditions when the fault set
  • Live data, fuel trims and misfire counters cylinder by cylinder
  • Bidirectional testing where the tool commands a component and we watch the result
  • The mechanical and electrical tests the data points us toward
  • Emission system and fuel system repairs once the cause is confirmed
  • Engine performance complaints with no code at all
  • A written estimate for your approval before anything is replaced

Our process

How we find the fault


Parts go on at the end, once we know what failed.

We scan everything

Faults stored in the transmission, the brakes or the body computers often explain why the engine light came on. We also pull the snapshot of what the vehicle was doing the moment it happened.

We test the part

Factory equipment and the manufacturer's own repair information, used to prove which part or wire is actually out of range. This is the step a free code read skips.

You get the answer and the price

In plain language, and you approve it before we touch anything. Afterwards we clear it, drive the vehicle and make sure nothing has come back.

You approve the repair before it happens

We diagnose it, we tell you what we found, and you approve a detailed estimate before anything is replaced. The repair carries our 12-month, 12,000-mile parts and labor warranty, it transfers with the vehicle, and it is reported to CarFax.

FAQ

Check engine light questions


Is there a charge for diagnosis?

Yes. Diagnosis is $150 per hour. That covers finding the actual fault with factory equipment, and you get an estimate to approve before any repair starts.

My check engine light is on. Is it safe to drive?

It depends entirely on what set the light, which is exactly what a diagnosis is for. One exception: if the light is flashing, the misfire is bad enough to damage the catalytic converter, and that one is not a wait-and-see. Call us at (501) 747-7752 and we will tell you what to do next.

Is a free code scan the same as a diagnosis?

No. A code tells you what the computer detected. It does not tell you which part failed. We use factory-level diagnostic equipment to find the actual problem, so you are not paying for parts you did not need.

What does check engine light diagnosis include?

Check engine light diagnosis, engine performance issues, emission system repairs and fuel system service are all part of what we handle.

Will you give me an estimate before repairing it?

Always. We diagnose the issue first, then provide a detailed estimate for your approval before we touch anything.

Get on the schedule

Find out what the light is actually telling you

Call or text us with the year, model and the code if you have one. We will tell you what it takes to get a real answer.

Text the shop

Send us a question and we will text you back at the number you give us. Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.