Auto/Truck OBD 2 emission code reader recommendations

[ultrarunner]

You have the added feature of ABS diagnoses and computer interface... good to have options.

My old 1985 Van has OBD1 which communicates by blinking the check engine light and the number of blinks corresponds to a code list... used it once and was impressed.

 

[brain55]

I saw the smart phone app... only problem is I don't own a cell phone, let alone a smart phone.... have to carry a work issued cell that is definitely a dumb phone... so not an option for me.

Bought the Bosch OBD 1100 for $69 using a $20 coupon I had...

Stopped at my brother's home this evening and plugged it in and right away code PO174 Bank 2 System too Lean message... so it works... little hard to see as the sun was going down... hit the reset and the check engine light went out.

Might be the Mass Airflow Sensor needs cleaning which would be great or a vacuum leak or even a bad fuel filter/pump.

It was nice to vanquish the code!!!

So now that I have it... several of the people I had asked if they had one now want to borrow it... one is my sister in law's brother with a 2005 Ranger...

Seems almost a necessity today... at one time I helped out at a local garage and never a problem hooking up the Snap On diagnostic machine anytime it was not being used... place changed hands so no longer that connection.

I would have bought a less expensive one or OTC if one would have been available last night...

You can use my Snap-On Verus anytime, just swing on by.

Brian

 

[ultrarunner]

That's what's great about the TBN community... a huge brain trust of those willing to help!

And many of the members like Brian etal are very accomplished and offer help just for the sake of helping...

 

[brain55]

That's what's great about the TBN community... a huge brain trust of those willing to help!

And many of the members like Brian etal are very accomplished and offer help just for the sake of helping...

Fortunately, you're one of the few I know that are close enough that stopping by isn't completely out of question.

Brian

 

[buckeyefarmer]

The local Autozone parts house offered free OBD 2 code reading until the State of California file a lawsuit to stop it.

It was a great service that got people in the door and often left buying repair parts.

The issue was parts stores are not licensed as repair facilities and that was that... the work around was to rent a reader for a nominal fee which is also no longer possible.

Prices for code readers are all over the place from $50 to $800 doing a quick search.

I've got one for a BMW and learned from the manufacturer it is strictly BMW specific.

Any recomendations for a low cost get the job done reader.

Current issue is check engine light on a 1996 F150 4wd 4.9 6 cylinder with 5 spd... truck runs great by the way.

obviously repair shops were behind that lawsuit as it allowed people to fix things without their help. Just another example of a bad govt meddling in something that they shouldn't be meddling in. I have one, cost me maybe $30 on amazon. I keep wanting to buy one of the fancier units that reads other codes, but haven't yet.

Had my old pilot in the repair shop a couple weeks ago, did the timing belt / water pump replacements and new plugs. my check engine light is always on with catalyst errors. They told me the switch to summer fuels and the new plugs might keep it from coming on, else I will need 2 new catalyst at over $800 each. This vehicle has 278K and is in pretty good shape, so I want to run it as long as I can. I just periodically reset the check engine light. Last time I had to do emissions, I kept the light off long enough to pass, before the codes showed up again.

 

[ultrarunner]

Money well spent as far as I am concerned for code reader.

I put about 100 miles on the truck since reset and so far so good.

Have several theories and a little background.

F150 4wd 6 with 5 spd was bought new in 1996 as a retirement present for the owner to himself... he used it for hunting and fishing and kept it all stock... OEM tires and such... very straight, not a dent, original paint and no rust, no dings in the bed...

Three years ago it was just parked in a carport when owner had a stroke... heirs decided to sell and spent a fair amount on it for it to pass smog, brakes, radius rod bushings etc.

Runs great with 123,000 miles... while driving, my brother switched it to the rear tank and still ran ok and then about 5 minutes the check engine light came on...

It really could be as simple as very old fuel in the aux tank

Here's one other only in California tidbit...

Truck was parked and not driven... no one paid the registration so it cost $1243 to clear back registration, penalties, weight fees and for tags good to Feb 2016 on a 19 year old truck.

It could have been much worse if it had been driven and had tickets against it...

The State will always get it's money... probably should have taken it to Washington and registered it there... would have saved at least a $1000

California will get it's money unless the owner pays to register a vehicle NON Operational and only then do fees stop...

 

[DFB]

The State will always get it's money... probably should have taken it to Washington and registered it there... would have saved at least a $1000

California will get it's money unless the owner pays to register a vehicle NON Operational and only then do fees stop...

That's some crazy s**t!

Mass isn't much better. Went with my buddy that owns a motorcycle shop to Boston to pick up Buell he seen for sale on Craig's List from a guy that bought it and held it for 2 years but didn't register it.

He now had to pay a penalty fee when he went to register it. Got the seller to kickback a $100 after knowing that!

 

[ultrarunner]

I won't buy a vehicle from a private party unless the transaction is completed at the Motor Vehicle Department window... just too much of a gamble when fees, penalties, tickets, etc could cost thousands of dollars on a $500 vehicle.

Some decent vehicles are being scrapped because the cost to get tags is exceeds the value of the vehicle...

My last trailer I bought for $400 and it had almost $400 in Past Due DMV fees!

It never was like this before... all that was required was a statement of facts the vehicle was not operated on public streets and of course no violations.

In California the seller by law must provide a current smog certificate on 1976 vehicles and newer... many not knowing the law will buy a car that says smog ready and then get stuck with cars that can never be smogged or it would cost too much... any modifications to exhaust, fuel systems, chipping, etc. is a fail.

So be careful the next time you buy a 40 year old car here... because smog certificate required...