OBD2 Scanner

[Diamondpilot]

Just wondering what folks are buying for OBD2 scanners now days? I had always just ran to Auto Zone and gotten a code read if need on my stuff but to be honest its been 2 years since I had a problem and that was on my Saturns Neutral Safety Switch and that car has now been sold and totaled by the new owner.

Anyway, I have had the need for one twice in the last 2 weeks. Once on my BIL's truck to clear a code that we allowed to happen by driving it with a Fuel Injector unplugged and another on my neighbors wifes car after it failed to start due to cold temps.

I do not want to spend a fortune but I want a unit that will allow me to read codes, clear them, and read live data such as water temp, RPM, speed, oil press, ect. HF has a unit for $59 that will do all this plus I have a 20% off coupon.

I looked into the lap top based units but most do not work with Windows 7 which is what I have.

Chris

 

[Scooby074]

Just wondering what folks are buying for OBD2 scanners now days? I had always just ran to Auto Zone and gotten a code read if need on my stuff but to be honest its been 2 years since I had a problem and that was on my Saturns Neutral Safety Switch and that car has now been sold and totaled by the new owner.

Anyway, I have had the need for one twice in the last 2 weeks. Once on my BIL's truck to clear a code that we allowed to happen by driving it with a Fuel Injector unplugged and another on my neighbors wifes car after it failed to start due to cold temps.

I do not want to spend a fortune but I want a unit that will allow me to read codes, clear them, and read live data such as water temp, RPM, speed, oil press, ect. HF has a unit for $59 that will do all this plus I have a 20% off coupon.

I looked into the lap top based units but most do not work with Windows 7 which is what I have.

Chris

I just bought a Autoxray ax7000. Does live data. plus it can do enhanced data for toyota family (lexus and ty) and Nissan family with added cards. Its also obd1 amd CAN compliant.

It does ABS too.

So far so good. Id give it a recommendation.AutoXray®

 

[mjonesnh]

I have an Innova Equus 3160 that does live data as well as ABS codes. Seems to do all I need

 

[Diamondpilot]

Those are all nice but way more than I need. I would like to spend $100 or so max. I have seen many around $75 that seem to do all I need.

I guess I have been lucky up to this point because the vehicle I have owned for the last 5 years have been trouble free with the exception of my Saturn that just had a few simple items.

All the other vehicles I had in the past that had major issues like blown engines, bad trannys, bad transfer case, bad injectors, ect were all under warranty and they gave me so many issues early on I got rid of them well before the warranty ran out.

I really just need something basic for now to clear codes, check data, ect.

Keep the recommendations coming. I would love to hear how some of these cheaper units work. I know the one they use at Auto Zone in the parking lot is only $120 and it seems to work great for them.

Chris

 

[Willl]

Cheap ?, how 'bout $60 ?

I've been using this one for about 2-3 years. Works fine, just basic read code, erase code.

Equus 3030 Innova Diagnostic Code Reader for OBDII Vehicles |

 

[Skyco]

I do not want to spend a fortune but I want a unit that will allow me to read codes, clear them, and read live data such as water temp, RPM, speed, oil press, ect. HF has a unit for $59 that will do all this plus I have a 20% off coupon.

I have what I think is the one you referred to-
CAN OBDII Code Reader with Multilingual Menu - Diagnostics - Automotive & Motorcycle

Works great to read codes but will not read the water temp etc...unless I missed all that somehow! Or maybe you are referring to another unit at HF but I don't see it online at least not in that price range.

BTW don't plug the reader in while tooling down the road, it kills the engine...guess how I found that out:laughing:


I also have an old AutoTap I paid a lot of money for way back...need to look into upgrading it, as it will put up all sorts of graphs etc on a laptop...haven't used it in awhile.

I also have an Equus I think it is, bought at WalMart in a pinch once for around $100, does no more than the $59 HF one I bought later.

 

[brain55]

This what I use, but clearly not what you are looking for.

Snap-On Modis scanner

It's a little above the price range you are looking at.

Brian

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have what I think is the one you referred to-
CAN OBDII Code Reader with Multilingual Menu - Diagnostics - Automotive & Motorcycle

Works great to read codes but will not read the water temp etc...unless I missed all that somehow! Or maybe you are referring to another unit at HF but I don't see it online at least not in that price range.

BTW don't plug the reader in while tooling down the road, it kills the engine...guess how I found that out:laughing:


I also have an old AutoTap I paid a lot of money for way back...need to look into upgrading it, as it will put up all sorts of graphs etc on a laptop...haven't used it in awhile.

I also have an Equus I think it is, bought at WalMart in a pinch once for around $100, does no more than the $59 HF one I bought later.

Thats the one I was talking about. It says in the description it reads live data but maybe its wrong. I will run by the store next week and take a look at it.

Either way, I am glad it works

Chris

 

[Skyco]

Thats the one I was talking about. It says in the description it reads live data but maybe its wrong. I will run by the store next week and take a look at it.

Either way, I am glad it works

Chris

Ya know I was just re-reading the manual and saw that too! Off to try it out...:thumbsup:

Ok tried it on a 2008 Trailblazer....won't show any freeze frame data. may have to be a trouble code set to show it.I also noticed it won't show the VIN on the Trailblazer either....

My Autotap puts up a nice screen of any parameters one wants, like full instrumentation. It reads injector pulse width, torque convertor slippage, all sensor info etc...lots of info.

I still think for the money it is tough to beat for a code reader...I think I got mine for around $45 on a prior sale with coupon...

 

[FastPauly]

Yea....I did the HF thing and bought this one. Along with a 20% off coupon, it seemed like a good buy. So far......it appears to work as advertised.

CAN OBD II Code Reader/ EOBD Scanner

 

[BillP603]

I bought this cable:
Amazon.com: Crescent USB OBD2/EOBD Multi-Protocol Car Diagnostic Tool Auto Scanner: Automotive

And use the freeware version on this program:
EasyObdII - ScanTool.net OBD-II Elmscan Interface Software (Powered by CubeCart)

Just plug into a laptop and it can run live data and see code history. When software gets upgraded there is no new hardware needed. There are other freeware products out there as well.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I bought this cable:
Amazon.com: Crescent USB OBD2/EOBD Multi-Protocol Car Diagnostic Tool Auto Scanner: Automotive

And use the freeware version on this program:
EasyObdII - ScanTool.net OBD-II Elmscan Interface Software (Powered by CubeCart)

Just plug into a laptop and it can run live data and see code history. When software gets upgraded there is no new hardware needed. There are other freeware products out there as well.

Does that cable work with all vehicles or do you need adaptors or different cables?

I deal with almost all Fords and while I don't have too many problems it would be nice to scan my own vehicles at home.

 

[texasjohn]

I have HF scanner...has worked and reset codes for me about once a year since purchase.

I'd recommend it and use your coupon on it if that is best application of coupon for your needs.

 

[crazyal]

I bought this cable:
Amazon.com: Crescent USB OBD2/EOBD Multi-Protocol Car Diagnostic Tool Auto Scanner: Automotive

And use the freeware version on this program:
EasyObdII - ScanTool.net OBD-II Elmscan Interface Software (Powered by CubeCart)

Just plug into a laptop and it can run live data and see code history. When software gets upgraded there is no new hardware needed. There are other freeware products out there as well.

EasyOdbII says it's windows 7 compatible. I've thought about getting the BlueTooth version over the USB cable type but just haven't gotten around to it.

 

[crazyal]

I stumbled across this while looking around over at Amazon.

Amazon.com: Launch CReader V scan tool/code reader (437001): Automotive

It's a stand alone unit with an LCD screen that shows real time data and will graph it. Under $70.

It's got a USB port and cable so it may work with the laptop software as well. Only one review though.

 

[hawkeye08]

I use OBD-2 Vehicle Explorer Scan Tool Browser. It was the only one I found for reasonable price a few years ago when I had to check the camshaft offset (set distributor base) on 98 Yukon. I did not get the one for the latest vehicles but can up grade. It uses a laptop so the display is plenty big. If it does not cover your vehicle, he can most likely add it (he added mine).

 

[tommu56]

I have an Actron

similar to this one

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_AutoScanner-OBD-II-Code-Reader-Actron_99994272-P_N3389_T|GRP2018____

 

[Diamondpilot]

I stumbled across this while looking around over at Amazon.

Amazon.com: Launch CReader V scan tool/code reader (437001): Automotive

It's a stand alone unit with an LCD screen that shows real time data and will graph it. Under $70.

It's got a USB port and cable so it may work with the laptop software as well. Only one review though.

That looks like a nice unit for the money. I like the bigger screen.

Thanks

Chris

 

[BillP603]

Does that cable work with all vehicles or do you need adaptors or different cables?

I deal with almost all Fords and while I don't have too many problems it would be nice to scan my own vehicles at home.

I have used the cable on a 2000 Ford F150 and a 2004 Chevy Venture, and a friend has used it on a 2005 Subaru, it has worked fine for all of them. I think it is some of the European vehicles (Volvo/BMW) that do not use the standard pin layout.

EasyOdbII says it's windows 7 compatible. I've thought about getting the BlueTooth version over the USB cable type but just haven't gotten around to it.

I have only used XP so far with this program. I have seen some other apps for iPhones/android programs online that look pretty cool, but I still have a 'dumb phone'

 

[dstig1]

Chris I'm disappointed! With all your vehicle working you do, I'd think you'd be going big time here. I picked up the AutoEnginuity a couple years back for my laptop. Covers everything and then some, but you need specific mosules by manufacturer for anything beyond the OBD2 codes (but that covers a lot by itself as you can read the engine OBD2 codes from any make).

AutoEnginuityｮ - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics

Yeah, a bit more than $50...