OBD2 Scanner

[Diamondpilot]

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...

Thanks for all the help guys. Not to be a smart ars but I have good luck with my vehicles. All 3 I have are trouble free. One is 6 years old, one is 4 years old, and one is 2 years old. I really want it more to help out friends and I like tinkering with stuff. If I have a serious issue my 3 trucks my Uncle is a mechanic and owns his own shop and for the time being they are all still under warranty so I really dont have to worry.

I am sure at some point my vehicles will give me some issues so it will be nice to have on hand when the time comes.

I really do not care for the PC based ones. First reason is most are not Windows 7 compatible but some are. Second is I just got a Ipad at work and may now dump my PC. I like the idea of a stand alone unit so I can grab it and run over to a buddies house or even loan it out.

I think at this point I will get the $100 Actron unit. Its what my local parts stores carry and they use them all the time in the parking lots to help customers. It was linked above at Advanced Auto on sale from $130.

The one from Amazon also looks like a good unit for $70 and I may give it a try. I want to run over to HF first and take a look at the ones there but right now the Actron unit is the top pick for the money in my eyes.

Chris

 

[dstig1]

I have not used my OBD2 software a ton. But I have needed it and it has saved me a bundle on those occasions. Problem is, you never know when the problem will crop up, so you need to have it to be prepared. Plus I like tools

 

[MESSMAKER]

I have used the HF one several times and it works just fine. I was told that the $100 unit may be woth the added expense but I think that was for possible future changes. I am not sure of the details so take it for what it's worth.

 

[Stimw]

Don't know if you bought a Code Reader yet but I bought the $119. from HF. I have used it twice. I had an O2 sensor (there are now 4 of them) on my 04 Silverado fail and Reader told me it was O2 and which one. You now need Reader to cancel dash light too. And friend left his gas door open on Dodge Van and we canceled his light.
The reason that I bought the $119. over the $59. is it has CAN which is on vehicles from 2004 on.
I was replacing my Tach/Dwell Reader! (Bought in about 1970)

 

[Diamondpilot]

I actually decided on one today. I will be getting the Actron CP9575. I was at O'Riley Auto Parts picking up some stuff for a customer of mine, need to do some maintenance items to his wife's car once the weather breaks here, and saw it today. They guy gave me a quick demo of it and went to You Tube and showed me a 8 min long how to video for it. Its a nice unit. He did not have any in stock but I found them on line at Sears for $89, regular $130ish.

Actron®

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00981239000P?keyword=cp9575&sLevel=0&prop17=cp9575


Chris

 

[clemsonfor]

I paid about that price for one from HF and all it does is tell you the code #s. I d say go for it i am pleased with the unit i got, although you have to go to the internet to figure out what the #s mean.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I paid about that price for one from HF and all it does is tell you the code #s. I d say go for it i am pleased with the unit i got, although you have to go to the internet to figure out what the #s mean.

This Actron unit does a lot. It tells you the code, a plain word explanation, live data, freeze data at the time the code was thrown, allows you to rest them, pull vin numbers, ect. Seems like it does what the $200 units do for under $100.

Chris

 

[aczlan]

I have a ELM 327 V1.4 clone and a copy of Touchscan on an old laptop. It gives me live data, snapshots of when trouble codes were set, etc.

Aaron Z

 

[Diamondpilot]

Well I got one of these for Christmas and its already paid for itself for a neighbor.
Car running data Recorder

When I got it I went out and plug it into my Dad rental car. We played with it getting all types of info, even the VIN# and live data such as speed, water temp, RPM, ect. I then took it out and played with it in my trucks in the garage last night just seeing if it worked which it did.

This morning at 9 am I get a text from a neighbor wanting to know if my shop was open this morning...LOl Anyway I called and he said his wifes Lincoln with 96,000 miles was running rough at low RPM's, had tripped the check engine light, and did not want to stay running unless you revved it up. I told him to bring it over. Anyway, I pulled 3 codes when I check it. One code was Multiple Miss Fires, the other was Rich/Lean Ox Sensor Bank 1, and the last was Rich/Lean Ox Sensor Bank 2.

I went in and punched the codes into google because there was not a hard failure and the issues were effecting all 8 cylinders and both Ox Sensors and that meant to me it was something else causing these codes to throw. My first though was fuel but after reading a little on some Ford sites it made me go back out to the shop and start looking at the vacume hoses. Sure enough I found a crack in one going from the brakes to the intake. I replace the hose with some I had in the shop and it got better but not perfect. I keep looking and the hose from the EGR valve from the PCV valve was collapsed and leaking in a bend. I replaced it also and cleared the codes and now it runs like a champ.

I sent him after a new PCV valve which he can replace himself and he said he would get me more 3/8" and 5/8" hose to replace what I used of my shop shelf. While I had it in there I noted it was 500 miles past a oil change so I did that and also put in a new air filter which I had all in stock. Total time 1:30 for all that.

I am guessing I saved him $200 or more.

My fear is that at some point someone put some spray on all the hoses to make them look new and it has softened them. I have seen folks even wipe things down with DOT3 brake fluid. It makes things look good for awhile but it catches up with ya. My guess is sooner or later we will be replacing all the hoses.

Chris

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Last time I went to autozone and had them read the codes, I ended up replacing some expensive parts that weren't the problem.
I did buy a scanner at costco since then, but have yet to use it.

 

[dstig1]

Last time I went to autozone and had them read the codes, I ended up replacing some expensive parts that weren't the problem.
I did buy a scanner at costco since then, but have yet to use it.

Ahh Grasshopper, You make one critical flaw! It is fine to let Autozone read the codes for you. But NEVER listen to what the 18 yr old drop out tells you the problem is. Write down the complete code number (letter plus 4 digit number) and Google it. Or go to a forum for that brand vehicle.

Before I got my reader software, I had Autozone read a code for me once. I forget the actual code but the kid said "O2 sensor. That's pretty common." I went "Ya shure", wrote down the code, and checked it out and of course it had nothing to do with O2 sensors. It was for an EGR sensor. Replaced that and good to go.

Take the code(s) and run screaming LALALALALALALA so you don't accidentally listen to them.

 

[crashz]

I think the Autozone training includes: "Tell the customer that the O2 sensors need to be changed, regardless of the trouble code."

A couple years ago I had the CEL light come on in my 04 GMC. I went the Advanced Auto, and they could not get the code reader to work. I bought an Actron that they had on the shelf and it too would not work. The kid that helped me actually suggested that the O2 sensors controled the CPU, and they were probably faulty. A little more diagnosis and I found the culprit: a blown cigarette lighter fuse. That fuse also powers the OBDII port and after 100 cycles or so, it will trigger a CEL.

Good diagnosis DP. I'm glad you did not fall into the trap of immediately replacing the components that are producing the trouble code. While the readers are great tools, they are only as good as the user.

 

[VTFireftr]

I bought a code reader a few years back on eBay. I can't rememebr the name, but it has worked flawlrssly reading and restting codes when needed.

I found a free app on the Apple App store called Fuzzy Codes that will help decipher what each codes means once it appears on your reader.

Almost forgot, if anyone is going to get a code reader, make sure it is CAN II compatible. Especially if you have a diesel engine.

Happy 2001 all!

Marc

 

[hawkeye08]

I bought a code reader a few years back on eBay. I can't rememebr the name, but it has worked flawlrssly reading and restting codes when needed.

I found a free app on the Apple App store called Fuzzy Codes that will help decipher what each codes means once it appears on your reader.

Almost forgot, if anyone is going to get a code reader, make sure it is CAN II compatible. Especially if you have a diesel engine.

Happy 2001 all!

Marc

Happy 2011 also!

 

[lostcause]

i just picked up an actron 9575. i had done a little looking and it was going to be between the actron 9575 and the equus 3130. last night i was checking online for a car clutch at places that are local, and i noticed that advance auto had a 20% off everything sale that ended last night. i checked and they had the actron for $99.99, but with the 20% off promo it was $79.99 and they even did free shipping on orders over $75.00. it wouldn't let me order one to be shipped - i guess they were out of stock, but it did let me order online and pick it up at the local store, so i ordered it and stopped by and picked it up when i was in town today. it looks like they have some sort of online promo going all the time, so they might be a consistently cheap place to get one.

i haven't used it yet - the garage has a few things torn down inside and i don't want to work outside i know one of my trucks has codes in it for the evap system and i wouldn't be surprised to find some for the other truck too, once i get them into the garage.

 

[brokenot]

Good call on the Advance Auto deal. I haven't purchased from them yet, but there are almost always promos and discounts from Advance posted on Slickdeals....here's a link:

http://slickdeals.net/sdsearch.php?forumchoice[]=9&search=advance+auto&mode=forum&showposts=0&sdsearch_archive=0&firstpost=1

 

[NIdaho]

Hey Guys,
Just want to make you aware of another one that I saw some information on just the other day. It is a wireless (Bluetooth) unit made by Garmin to work with a number of their Nuvi GPS systems. it plugs on to the data connector and then you can set up the GPS to do custom gauges or read codes or realtime data .

ecoRoute

If you already have a compatible GPS unit it looks like a pretty slick addition.

 

[One Acre Farm]

I have read all the posts about code readers, and have a question. I am leaning towards the Equus 3030. It is at the price point I want and it seems simple enough. My question is, after running a test, what is the steps to get a printout to explain solutions to fix the problem it finds? It looks like that report costs $15 and I am not even sure it does this. Does anyone have any experience with a code reader that can generate a report and solution?

 

[Clint S]

I know the OP has purchased his , but I will add my thoughts. If you have a Chevy pick up get one with ABS reading. Those sensors get dirty and/or fail all the time. They are easy to change if you know which one it is. Other vehicles it is not so much of issue.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If I had to do it all over again I would get the same one I ended up with or a Acton unit. They are just too simple, accurate, portable, ect not to have one.

Chris