cheap code scanner
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 77
From: chicagoland il
cheap code scanner
Any of these scanners worth looking into?
http://www.tmart.com/OBD-Diagnostics...FRECQAodRhoOow
http://www.tmart.com/OBD-Diagnostics...FRECQAodRhoOow
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Macedon (near Rochester) NY
Unless you have a 96, or need it for a different car, those obd2 scanners wont work.
http://winaldl.joby.se/aldlcable.htm
If you want CHEAP, find an old laptop and put one of these together with five bucks worth of radio shack parts. Only problem is when its running in aldl mode, the car advances the timing a little for some reason I dont understand, making my knock count logging wrong.
http://winaldl.joby.se/aldlcable.htm
If you want CHEAP, find an old laptop and put one of these together with five bucks worth of radio shack parts. Only problem is when its running in aldl mode, the car advances the timing a little for some reason I dont understand, making my knock count logging wrong.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 77
From: chicagoland il
Unless you have a 96, or need it for a different car, those obd2 scanners wont work.
http://winaldl.joby.se/aldlcable.htm
If you want CHEAP, find an old laptop and put one of these together with five bucks worth of radio shack parts. Only problem is when its running in aldl mode, the car advances the timing a little for some reason I dont understand, making my knock count logging wrong.
http://winaldl.joby.se/aldlcable.htm
If you want CHEAP, find an old laptop and put one of these together with five bucks worth of radio shack parts. Only problem is when its running in aldl mode, the car advances the timing a little for some reason I dont understand, making my knock count logging wrong.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
I have an Actron 9175 that I got for 75 bucks when the economy went south brand new. I just saw one on ebay for 60 bucks used. But it comes with a book as well so make sure you get that if you go that route.
Features and Benefits Reads and erases codes on all 1996 and newer domestic and import vehicles including CAN Compatible with all 1996 and newer vehicles and also works on 1994 and 1995 OBD II compliant vehicles Battery powered for review of data off vehicle - no vehicle manual required as trouble codes and definitions are displayed on the screen Trilingual tool with Spanish, French and English menu items Quick and easily update your tool via internet The new OBD II AutoScanner offers a wider range of features and functions than other currently available code readers. Valuable feedback from experienced DIYers has resulted in the creation of this latest OBD II AutoScanner from Actron incorporating the functions that help fix vehicles faster. Other features include: on screen definitions, displays emission status, displays freeze frame data, updateable, DTCs retained in memory and DTC look up feature. Includes 6 cable, manual and diagnostic trouble code CD included with tool. AXRCP9175
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,752
Likes: 190
From: Indiana PA
A Generic OBDII code reader should work on your 96. The problem is that a Generic Code Reader will only give you codes, ECM only, and only Generic OBDII ones. Even if you get one with live data (highly recommend) you will only get Generic OBDII data.
Basically, if you want good diagnostic capabilities you are going to pay for them. No free lunches.
See this:http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ic_tools4.html
I personally love my OTC Nemisys a $1200 tool I got for $400 on ebay.
Not only do I have FULL Domestic 82ish thru 07 coverage and Asian up to 06, but on my 93 I have ECM, Air Bag, CCM, ABS/ASR functions. All with codes, most with extensive data.
That being said, I've used this, http://www.tmart.com/Launch-OBD2-II-...l_p114430.html For the price it is nice, should have graphing capabilities.
Keep in mind, codes give a direction to go in, they are NOT solutions. I've had them lead me down the WRONG path, so CAUTION is needed. With data, it is only good if you know what you are looking at or for.
Basically, if you want good diagnostic capabilities you are going to pay for them. No free lunches.
See this:http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ic_tools4.html
I personally love my OTC Nemisys a $1200 tool I got for $400 on ebay.
Not only do I have FULL Domestic 82ish thru 07 coverage and Asian up to 06, but on my 93 I have ECM, Air Bag, CCM, ABS/ASR functions. All with codes, most with extensive data.
That being said, I've used this, http://www.tmart.com/Launch-OBD2-II-...l_p114430.html For the price it is nice, should have graphing capabilities.
Keep in mind, codes give a direction to go in, they are NOT solutions. I've had them lead me down the WRONG path, so CAUTION is needed. With data, it is only good if you know what you are looking at or for.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 77
From: chicagoland il
A Generic OBDII code reader should work on your 96. The problem is that a Generic Code Reader will only give you codes, ECM only, and only Generic OBDII ones. Even if you get one with live data (highly recommend) you will only get Generic OBDII data.
Basically, if you want good diagnostic capabilities you are going to pay for them. No free lunches.
See this:http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ic_tools4.html
I personally love my OTC Nemisys a $1200 tool I got for $400 on ebay.
Not only do I have FULL Domestic 82ish thru 07 coverage and Asian up to 06, but on my 93 I have ECM, Air Bag, CCM, ABS/ASR functions. All with codes, most with extensive data.
That being said, I've used this, http://www.tmart.com/Launch-OBD2-II-...l_p114430.html For the price it is nice, should have graphing capabilities.
Keep in mind, codes give a direction to go in, they are NOT solutions. I've had them lead me down the WRONG path, so CAUTION is needed. With data, it is only good if you know what you are looking at or for.
Basically, if you want good diagnostic capabilities you are going to pay for them. No free lunches.
See this:http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...ic_tools4.html
I personally love my OTC Nemisys a $1200 tool I got for $400 on ebay.
Not only do I have FULL Domestic 82ish thru 07 coverage and Asian up to 06, but on my 93 I have ECM, Air Bag, CCM, ABS/ASR functions. All with codes, most with extensive data.
That being said, I've used this, http://www.tmart.com/Launch-OBD2-II-...l_p114430.html For the price it is nice, should have graphing capabilities.
Keep in mind, codes give a direction to go in, they are NOT solutions. I've had them lead me down the WRONG path, so CAUTION is needed. With data, it is only good if you know what you are looking at or for.
Last edited by rosros; Jan 1, 2012 at 09:41 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
As a side note here. I have diagnosed issues with my vette, my Dodge Ram, my Cad STS, my wife's camry and my son's MC SS with the reader I have. I got the code, I let the reader tell me what the code was, then I did a little research on the internet to finalize the process.
I have so far, knock on wood, been 100% each time.
I even had to tell a mech what was wrong with a Honda we had when they couldn't figure it out and after spending 200 bucks on a failed diagnoses and parts change.
The scanner I have is not the top of the line, but it's a great reader for the basic diyer
I have so far, knock on wood, been 100% each time.
I even had to tell a mech what was wrong with a Honda we had when they couldn't figure it out and after spending 200 bucks on a failed diagnoses and parts change.
The scanner I have is not the top of the line, but it's a great reader for the basic diyer
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Jan 2, 2012 at 10:49 AM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 951
Likes: 3
From: Placerville CA
If you just want to check for error codes, you can do that by pressing a magic combination of buttons on your dash. A Google search will tell you how.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 1
From: Woodland CA
As a side note here. I have diagnosed issues with my vette, my Dodge Ram, my Cad STS, my wife's camry and my son's MC SS with the reader I have. I got the code, I let the reader tell me what the code was, then I did a little research on the internet to finalize the process.
I have so far, knock on wood, been 100% each time.
I even had to tell a mech what was wrong with a Honda we had when they couldn't figure it out and after spending 200 bucks on a failed diagnoses and parts change.
The scanner I have is not the top of the line, but it's a great reader for the basic diyer
I have so far, knock on wood, been 100% each time.
I even had to tell a mech what was wrong with a Honda we had when they couldn't figure it out and after spending 200 bucks on a failed diagnoses and parts change.
The scanner I have is not the top of the line, but it's a great reader for the basic diyer
http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9575-..._ob_title_auto
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
Looks like the Actron 9175 is no longer available at Amazon. I did find it on Ebay; however, according to Amazon, its been replaced by a new model: Actron CP9575:
http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9575-..._ob_title_auto
http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9575-..._ob_title_auto
I like my 9175
