dinero718

I wanted to get a diagnostics test done on my 01 430 because today for some strange reason my battery died on me 2day.. New at this car stuff can some one tell what would be done when i get a diagnostics test which is 109 plus tax per hr? Is it like a 21 point inspection?

ESCAPED

I know the dealership in Clearwater charges $103.95 to do a diagnostic test. They also usually do a 27 point inspection with that.

mikevanle

iTrader: (1)

Well I think Lexus charges everyone a minimal of 1 hour labor for ANYTHING, even a 5-10 minute job.

If the battery died on you, why don't you just buy a new one to see if the problem gets solved? If it doesn't solve it, just return the battery. No loss there.

StockGS400

I would say. . . save that money and bring your battery to your local Autozone to get it tested for free. . . and if it is the battery. . . just use that $109 and a little more to get yourself an Optima Red Top

Bill_GS3

My dealer charges 109.88 for the diag test. What some people don't know is that they don't just plug in your car get a printout and take your money. The tech needs to perform the diagnostics that may be needed. A battery would start with a test of the battery, do this at auto zone or something. Then if that's ok they would check the carging system, car running with no elcetrical load there should be about 14.0v at the battery, maybe kick the idle up to a grand. then they would load the vehicles cahrging system and test the alternator output again, shouldn't drop below 10.0v and should have plenty of amps, maybe 50+, depending on the car. Last they should check for "dark current" or "parasitic draw", this is battery useage when there should be none. This should not excede 50mA.

I'm not trying to say a full hour is needed everytime, but I want to break the "hook it up to the computer and tell me" idea. Most of this is knowledge by the tech.

But back to your issue, start with a new battery and see what happens, 9 out of 10 it's just the batteries times.

Benjamin T

iTrader: (2)

same here. i was charged 1 hour shop time for a 20-30 minute diagnostic for an intermittent flickering of the lights in the car, but they were unable to properly correct the problem (misdiagnosed), and they later refunded me the charge with an apology, so it was okay... i ended up getting the problem resolved at an independent shop (bad voltage regulator/altnerator)

FlaggDrive

iTrader: (1)

you might be able to get the charge waived if you do the requested work from the diagnostic. thats what happened to my brother, but it might depend on the dealership.

Bill_GS3

If the dealership is respectable, which I try to be, you should not be charged the diag plus repairs. If you opt to do the needed repairs you pay for it and the diag SHOULD be waived. Each has there own time frame also, I typically give me clients a few months to return that I will deduct the diag charge. Of course depending upon the price of the repair, it may end up being a reduced rate if the cost is small enough to begin with.