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.