Recomendations for a OBDII scanner.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Recomendations for a OBDII scanner.
I'm looking for a pretty decent scanner to add to my tool box. I just want some opinions on what you have used and like the most. I would like to be able to get codes of course but also be able to monitor fuel and and the like while the car is running.
Price range is under $300. Just looking for a tool that I can use to not just give codes but useful in diagnosing if sensors are actually bad and what not. The cars at the house right now are:
'98 Ford Ranger
'91 Mustang 5.0
'99 Vette
'00 Honda Accord
Would be nice to get one to scan newer and older vehicles. Thanks in advance guys.
Price range is under $300. Just looking for a tool that I can use to not just give codes but useful in diagnosing if sensors are actually bad and what not. The cars at the house right now are:
'98 Ford Ranger
'91 Mustang 5.0
'99 Vette
'00 Honda Accord
Would be nice to get one to scan newer and older vehicles. Thanks in advance guys.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 5
From: Metairie LA
Scanner
I've got this one:
http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16362
Works well to read and erase/clear codes. They have more expensive ones but since I don't do mechanic line work, works for me.
EDIT: Reread your stable. You'll need one of the more expensive ones. This one only does OBDII which is '96 and up. You'll need one that does BOTH OBDI and OBDII. Actron has them-around $200 +/-.
http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16362
Works well to read and erase/clear codes. They have more expensive ones but since I don't do mechanic line work, works for me.
EDIT: Reread your stable. You'll need one of the more expensive ones. This one only does OBDII which is '96 and up. You'll need one that does BOTH OBDI and OBDII. Actron has them-around $200 +/-.
Last edited by PhilsFRC; Nov 15, 2012 at 11:14 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Ive got the ACTRON CP9180 Make SURE that you get one that is CAN Bus enabled for the newer cars.
You realize that you DO NOT need one for the C5?? Correct?? The C5 can read its own DTCs
I purchases mine to read my C6 and JK Jeep.
If you purchase one, look on line at AMAZON.com for the best price.
BC
You realize that you DO NOT need one for the C5?? Correct?? The C5 can read its own DTCs
I purchases mine to read my C6 and JK Jeep.
If you purchase one, look on line at AMAZON.com for the best price.
BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,100
Likes: 17
From: Somers, CT and Clermont, FL
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I highly recommend the AutoXray EZ-Scan 6000.
http://www.autoxray.com/product_detail.php?pid=94
It's currently priced at $291 on the Amazon website.
http://www.autoxray.com/product_detail.php?pid=94
It's currently priced at $291 on the Amazon website.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,375
Likes: 426
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
If you have a smartphone, you might want to look into getting a bluetooth OBDII transmitter, and you can read codes, gauges, etc. from your phone.
They're only about $30 or so on Ebay, and the app is free with ads, or $5 without ads I think.
Not sure the compatibility, but worth looking into...
They're only about $30 or so on Ebay, and the app is free with ads, or $5 without ads I think.
Not sure the compatibility, but worth looking into...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Get a scanner that has the ability to read and monitor LIVE SENSOR DATA. That way you can look at and monitor all your sensors in operation/ Things like LTFT and O2 sensor operation. 
Comes in very handy for troubleshooting.
BC
Comes in very handy for troubleshooting.
BC
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 136
From: SoCal CA
If you have an android phone... The Torque Pro app. Its $5 and scans all codes, deletes, reads sensors, data logs and much more. All you need is a $15 obdII bluetooth interface. Save your money, this app does more then any of those fancy scanners.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-s...hone-apps.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-s...hone-apps.html
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 51
From: Gastonia North Carolina
If you have an android phone... The Torque Pro app. Its $5 and scans all codes, deletes, reads sensors, data logs and much more. All you need is a $15 obdII bluetooth interface. Save your money, this app does more then any of those fancy scanners.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-s...hone-apps.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-s...hone-apps.html
The BT Interface you can find on amazon is called ELM 327. Then as stated buy the Torque pro App and you have yourself a very nice tool for $25.00.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 9
From: Abingdon MD
Check out Palmer Performance. I have the SCANXL Standard that I use with a laptop. They also have a wireless Iphone model. With that you can do drag and dyno along with the code reading and monitoring.
http://www.palmerperformance.com/pro...comparison.php
http://www.palmerperformance.com/pro...comparison.php
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 488
Likes: 2
From: Myrtle Beach SC
I have ProScan on my laptop. Check out http://www.myscantool.com/ for more info. Two of the features I like are the live sensor graphs and data-logging. Like Bill said, these features are useful for troubleshooting. It is for OBD2 only...right now it is on sale for $129.99. I've had it for 6 years now...works pretty good.
Last edited by sunchaser73; Dec 1, 2012 at 11:45 AM.