Which scan tool to buy?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 341
Likes: 1
From: Cave Creek AZ
Which scan tool to buy?
I have a 96 LT4, so I want to be able to easily read OBD II codes and check sensors. The Auto Xray seems to be a popular tool. They have an OBD II Scanner for $290 or the EZ-Link Diagnostic Scanner Kit for $390. I want to be able to use it on my 89 Firebird which is OBD I. So I'm assuming that the Kit is what I will need.
Do you experienced folks have any suggestions? I don't own a laptop.
:)
Do you experienced folks have any suggestions? I don't own a laptop.
:)
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,230
Likes: 0
From: VA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Which scan tool to buy? (vettmech)
Buy a Tech I .......it's what the GM techs use and NAPA sells them but you'll have to order it............ and I think they aren't cheap
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Which scan tool to buy? (lead_foot)
I went the Autoxray route then due to my chip programming right now found I really needed Diacom and bought it.
The AutoXray is a fair unit, pretty easy to use but no trending ability. Diacom is only $260 but you need a cheap laptop for it. The difference is night and day between frame scanners and realtime like Diacom.
HTH
The AutoXray is a fair unit, pretty easy to use but no trending ability. Diacom is only $260 but you need a cheap laptop for it. The difference is night and day between frame scanners and realtime like Diacom.
HTH
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 0
From: Warrick County IN
CI 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
Re: Which scan tool to buy? (lead_foot)
I've got the auto xray and bought it from a place in washington state here is the site http://www.autotestsys.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ATS&C ategory_Code=AX . I think I had the unit in about three days. I does all I need to do and it does real time for 29 seconds to capture problems like drivability issues. Works well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: Which scan tool to buy? (GS487)
I have the auto x-ray pro pack. I think it was $399.00 from summit. The nice thing about it is it will do ODB II or I, chrysler, ford, and several of the foreign vehicles. IMO the biggest problem with all of the scanners is they give you the data, but it is up to you to interpit it. IE: is 870mv. reading from a o2 sensor good? What should it be? You are going to have to spend some time reading and studying the system on a car and get a good understanding of it in order to fix it or for that matter to decide if it is even malfunctioning. Now this is where I am having problems!! Good luck with your decision.
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