Automakers to give diagnostic codes to repair shops

http://www.cnn.com/2002/TECH/ptech/09/27/diagnosing.car.repairs.ap/index.html
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- Automakers agreed Thursday to give independent repair shops their closely guarded codes used to diagnose troubles with today's high-tech vehicles so the shops can make the same repairs as franchise dealerships. "

"Under the agreement signed by the Automotive Service Association, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, the automakers agree to make the service information available on the Internet by Aug. 31 at a "reasonable price." It will be available to all professional mechanics as well as amateurs working out of their garage at home, said Charlie Territo, spokesman for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers."