A Good OBD 11 Scanner?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 0
From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
A Good OBD 11 Scanner?
Thinking about getting an inexpensive Scanner,
see the Innova $69.00 there's also one for $99.99
www.partsamerica.com
I need your input on weather or not this unit is good for the weekend mechanic.
Thanx
see the Innova $69.00 there's also one for $99.99
www.partsamerica.com
I need your input on weather or not this unit is good for the weekend mechanic.
Thanx
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
Looked at the site..didn't see it, but for that kinda money I think you're just getting a glorified code reader..IF that's so, I think it's a waste of money. A decent scanner costs around $300., but you can use a laptop combined with the proper adapters (check out Craig Moates site) and use free tuning software, my total investment was $180. and I see everything on a large screen...nice. I can and do thank Morley for filling me in on it.
Last edited by rick lambert; May 8, 2006 at 10:46 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 0
From: MANDEVILLE, LA La
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
I agree with rick lambert, both tools are glorified code readers and not true scan tools by any means. At the retail price they are way expensive for what you get. However, if elefkow has the $99 version for sale at $39 shipped, I'd say that was a pretty good deal. You won't always have your laptop available and having a nifty little code reader stowed away is very handy. I have the the top-of-the-line Ease Pro scan tool suite available, yet I still keep a cheap code tool and printed code reference in the car for when I'm away "just in case".
I downloaded and reviewed the manual for the $99 version. It is is really excellent. Probably worth as much as the tool. It lists all the generic and manufacturer specific DTC codes with a short description, plus a complete explaination of OBD2 and I/M readiness monitors. Really good reference info in the manual. The $99 tool will erase DTCs and monitor I/M monitor readiness states, so it can be convienent to have. If someone bought elefkow's tool, they could always print out the generic and GM specific codes for stowing a reference copy in the car. Good little traveling tool at elefkow's price, but not at full price.
I downloaded and reviewed the manual for the $99 version. It is is really excellent. Probably worth as much as the tool. It lists all the generic and manufacturer specific DTC codes with a short description, plus a complete explaination of OBD2 and I/M readiness monitors. Really good reference info in the manual. The $99 tool will erase DTCs and monitor I/M monitor readiness states, so it can be convienent to have. If someone bought elefkow's tool, they could always print out the generic and GM specific codes for stowing a reference copy in the car. Good little traveling tool at elefkow's price, but not at full price.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
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From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by C4DC
I bought one at Harbor Freight for $40 and it works well for just pulling and clearing codes. I'd go for elefkow's now though.
Drifting
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 3
From: Sacramento, CA Money can't buy happiness - but it's more comfortable to cry in a Corvette than a Yugo.
Originally Posted by CAJUN C4
Question?
Is a code reader really neccessary? Doesn't the OB11 have self diagnostics displays codes on the info center of the car.? Am I Correct?
Is a code reader really neccessary? Doesn't the OB11 have self diagnostics displays codes on the info center of the car.? Am I Correct?
So, why pay $30~$40 for a code reader? Because it is a lot easier than putting a paperclip into the terminals. With a code reader, you may be able to cycle through the codes and stop at each code as you look it up in the code reader handbook. Without a code reader, the vehicle displays often cycle through the codes rapidly and may be hard or impossible to read if the problem involves the dash circuit where the codes are to be displayed. It is an unnecessary expense, but a convienent one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,874
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From: Littleton CO
Originally Posted by Mike_88Z51
Yes, you are correct. A code reader is generally not necessary, as most vehicles OBD1 and OBD2 have a built-n method of retreiving codes without a code reader. It is OBD2 (On Board Diagnostics version 2), often also written as OBDII, but not OBD11.
So, why pay $30~$40 for a code reader? Because it is a lot easier than putting a paperclip into the terminals.
So, why pay $30~$40 for a code reader? Because it is a lot easier than putting a paperclip into the terminals.
a. Software to retrieve codes wasn't updated from '95 OBDI.
b. Many OBDII codes have too many characters to display on the speedo.
c. Paperclip method doesn't access all of the modules.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Originally Posted by Mike_88Z51
Yes, you are correct. A code reader is generally not necessary, as most vehicles OBD1 and OBD2 have a built-n method of retreiving codes without a code reader....
