Looking for a Code Reader......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Mt. Zion Central Illinois
Looking for a Code Reader......
I have a 2005 Corvette, a 2009 CTS, and a 2008 Chevy Explorer conversion van and would like to buy a Check Engine Light reader that will work with all of them. Any such animal out there?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
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From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
That's the one I have also and I think it is overkill if you aren't using it every day. For the occasional user an inexpensive one is just as good. Sure you have to look up what the codes mean on the Internet rather than have it displayed right in front of you but...
Also, the update software for this doesn't work with Vista yet. They said yesterday another 3 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I love my 9180 and it is super easy to use. I'm just saying that if I were doing it again I would get the one at Wal-Mart and save $100.
BTW, not only does it have to be an OBD II reader but it also has to be CAN compliant to read the C6 codes.
Also, the update software for this doesn't work with Vista yet. They said yesterday another 3 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I love my 9180 and it is super easy to use. I'm just saying that if I were doing it again I would get the one at Wal-Mart and save $100.
BTW, not only does it have to be an OBD II reader but it also has to be CAN compliant to read the C6 codes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
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From: Ventura County, Calif
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
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From: Upstate New York
Overkill to just read codes? Yes. Very nice to have if you want to get into doing your own diagnostics. I had a lazy o2 sensor on one of my vehicles. I was able to drive the car with the unit graphing the 02 output and verify exactly what was going on very quickly. Nice!
I don't think so. OBD-II came in 1996. CAN bus started in '03 and is mandatory for '08.