OBD 2 code reader research
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
OBD 2 code reader research
I'm trying to decide on a code reader for all my Chevy rides.
I've come across this one (see link below) while searching and wondered if anyone has this one or used it before. If so, what did you think of it.
what are you guys using? This one should work on my C5, C6Z and 99 Tahoe. Also for my 56 truck, if/when I put an LS in it later on.
Anyway, any thoughts on this one or another that works better?
I know it's a bit pricey, but it does ABS and will work on all my rides and offers up suggestions to repair.
This will be my first code reader experience, so I'm open to suggestions guys. Constructive of course.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/anm-cp9580a
I've come across this one (see link below) while searching and wondered if anyone has this one or used it before. If so, what did you think of it.
what are you guys using? This one should work on my C5, C6Z and 99 Tahoe. Also for my 56 truck, if/when I put an LS in it later on.
Anyway, any thoughts on this one or another that works better?
I know it's a bit pricey, but it does ABS and will work on all my rides and offers up suggestions to repair.
This will be my first code reader experience, so I'm open to suggestions guys. Constructive of course.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/anm-cp9580a
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
I think only the really expensive ones can get all of the abs codes. If you have a smartphone I'm going to recommend an obd adapter that will work with some software for it. On Android you should get either torque or dashcommand, but I'm not sure what to get for Android. The nice thing about the smartphone apps is that your can use them as a data logger as well.
Good luck
Good luck
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
Hi Sevinn. Thanks for the reply.
As I mentioned this will be my first code reader, so I'm not up on this stuff at all.
My wife has an IPhone, is there anything out there that will work with it? If so, how would it hook up to the cars? Thanks for any info you have or links you can provide.
As I mentioned this will be my first code reader, so I'm not up on this stuff at all.
My wife has an IPhone, is there anything out there that will work with it? If so, how would it hook up to the cars? Thanks for any info you have or links you can provide.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,755
Likes: 190
From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
It actually looks like Dashcommand is the way to go for iPhones as well http://www.palmerperformance.com/pro...one/index.php/
Check out the hardware tab on that site for supported devices and it should tell you everything there is to know. It appears that the hardware that iphones require costs a little more than ones that work for Android devices unfortunately, but you'd still get more bang for your buck this way if you would actually use the logging features.
If you won't be doing any logging a reader like the one you linked may be the way to go for ease of use.
Sorry if I just added confusion to your search
Check out the hardware tab on that site for supported devices and it should tell you everything there is to know. It appears that the hardware that iphones require costs a little more than ones that work for Android devices unfortunately, but you'd still get more bang for your buck this way if you would actually use the logging features.
If you won't be doing any logging a reader like the one you linked may be the way to go for ease of use.
Sorry if I just added confusion to your search
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
No, you've been very helpful.
I'll check out the link and do some homework on this. It's my wifes Iphone, so it wouldn't be available to me at all times either.
After looking them over, I think you're correct. For my use, the cp9580 will be easier for me and my current needs.
I won't have to rely on a phone being available to me.
Thanks again for the assist, you've been very helpful to this old guy, that's trying to get into the 21 century.
I'll check out the link and do some homework on this. It's my wifes Iphone, so it wouldn't be available to me at all times either.
After looking them over, I think you're correct. For my use, the cp9580 will be easier for me and my current needs.
I won't have to rely on a phone being available to me.
Thanks again for the assist, you've been very helpful to this old guy, that's trying to get into the 21 century.
Last edited by Mr. Jean; Aug 10, 2015 at 11:16 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 605
I'm trying to decide on a code reader for all my Chevy rides.
I've come across this one (see link below) while searching and wondered if anyone has this one or used it before. If so, what did you think of it.
what are you guys using? This one should work on my C5, C6Z and 99 Tahoe. Also for my 56 truck, if/when I put an LS in it later on.
Anyway, any thoughts on this one or another that works better?
I know it's a bit pricey, but it does ABS and will work on all my rides and offers up suggestions to repair.
This will be my first code reader experience, so I'm open to suggestions guys. Constructive of course.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/anm-cp9580a
I've come across this one (see link below) while searching and wondered if anyone has this one or used it before. If so, what did you think of it.
what are you guys using? This one should work on my C5, C6Z and 99 Tahoe. Also for my 56 truck, if/when I put an LS in it later on.
Anyway, any thoughts on this one or another that works better?
I know it's a bit pricey, but it does ABS and will work on all my rides and offers up suggestions to repair.
This will be my first code reader experience, so I'm open to suggestions guys. Constructive of course.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/anm-cp9580a
https://www.autoenginuity.com/
This reads every module in my Car. Now this is more expensive. $500+ with the enhanced GM Module. This will work with all the GM Cars.
I compared this to my 2010 GS GM Service manual on what sensors are available and this unit matches about 99%. This unit also can be used as a data logger for those intermittent problems, it also can activate many functions ( bi-directional controls ) eg set the engine RPM to 2000, activate the ABS pump etc. Force switches on or off.
This does require a laptop to operate.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
Thanks for the link. this seems to keep growing in price for me.
In this case I'm on an Apple Imac not a PC, so I'll have to see if that works. Also I have no laptop, so even more $$$$ needed for this setup.
Thanks for the link though, as the more I see/read the better, in deciding what to do.
In this case I'm on an Apple Imac not a PC, so I'll have to see if that works. Also I have no laptop, so even more $$$$ needed for this setup.
Thanks for the link though, as the more I see/read the better, in deciding what to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 605
Thanks for the link. this seems to keep growing in price for me.
In this case I'm on an Apple Imac not a PC, so I'll have to see if that works. Also I have no laptop, so even more $$$$ needed for this setup.
Thanks for the link though, as the more I see/read the better, in deciding what to do.
In this case I'm on an Apple Imac not a PC, so I'll have to see if that works. Also I have no laptop, so even more $$$$ needed for this setup.
Thanks for the link though, as the more I see/read the better, in deciding what to do.
If you have access to a GM Service Manual look at all the data / sensors that the car has. This way when you select a unit you will know what the reader is missing.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
Windows PC only so this is not a good direction for you cost wise. But worth looking at what programs / code readers can do.
If you have access to a GM Service Manual look at all the data / sensors that the car has. This way when you select a unit you will know what the reader is missing.
If you have access to a GM Service Manual look at all the data / sensors that the car has. This way when you select a unit you will know what the reader is missing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 936
Likes: 36
From: SWFL 🇺🇸
I have the OBDLink MX Bluetooth as it allows me to use phone, tablet and PC to analyze my car. They also make an OBDLink MX WiFi for Apple folks. http://www.obdlink.com/
There are a lot of $10 Chinese OBD devices out there but they are all based on the original ELM327 protocol which the author regrettably failed to protect. The Chinese immediately copied the code and have flooded the market with cheapo readers. The problem is that they all adhere to that original ELM327 protocol while things have advanced a lot since then.
The latest OBD devices have to be able to read several different protocols but one in particular is J1850VPW which is an exclusive Chevy protocol that the OBDLink MX can communicate but cheapo units can't.
There are a lot of $10 Chinese OBD devices out there but they are all based on the original ELM327 protocol which the author regrettably failed to protect. The Chinese immediately copied the code and have flooded the market with cheapo readers. The problem is that they all adhere to that original ELM327 protocol while things have advanced a lot since then.
The latest OBD devices have to be able to read several different protocols but one in particular is J1850VPW which is an exclusive Chevy protocol that the OBDLink MX can communicate but cheapo units can't.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Diagnostic Scan reader shows no codes.
Wondering if someone can give me some insight as to why my New Actron CP9580a scan tool shows no codes when I try to do a Diagnostic scan. I have a 09 C6 Z06 that has the Stab/ABS/Brake lights all on and yet no codes come up. I specifically bought this model scan tool as it supposedly reads OBD2/CAN as well as ABS. When plugged in it reads and communicates with the car but says no codes found. Frustrated!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 605
Wondering if someone can give me some insight as to why my New Actron CP9580a scan tool shows no codes when I try to do a Diagnostic scan. I have a 09 C6 Z06 that has the Stab/ABS/Brake lights all on and yet no codes come up. I specifically bought this model scan tool as it supposedly reads OBD2/CAN as well as ABS. When plugged in it reads and communicates with the car but says no codes found. Frustrated!
•Custom data list for LIVE data
•Record and playback LIVE engine data, graph LIVE data
work ?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,623
Likes: 316
From: Sparks, Nevada
Wondering if someone can give me some insight as to why my New Actron CP9580a scan tool shows no codes when I try to do a Diagnostic scan. I have a 09 C6 Z06 that has the Stab/ABS/Brake lights all on and yet no codes come up. I specifically bought this model scan tool as it supposedly reads OBD2/CAN as well as ABS. When plugged in it reads and communicates with the car but says no codes found. Frustrated!
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,303
Likes: 1,156
From: Klein TX
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Wondering if someone can give me some insight as to why my New Actron CP9580a scan tool shows no codes when I try to do a Diagnostic scan. I have a 09 C6 Z06 that has the Stab/ABS/Brake lights all on and yet no codes come up. I specifically bought this model scan tool as it supposedly reads OBD2/CAN as well as ABS. When plugged in it reads and communicates with the car but says no codes found. Frustrated!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,478
Likes: 462
From: East Windsor NJ
It actually looks like Dashcommand is the way to go for iPhones as well http://www.palmerperformance.com/pro...one/index.php/
Check out the hardware tab on that site for supported devices and it should tell you everything there is to know. It appears that the hardware that iphones require costs a little more than ones that work for Android devices unfortunately, but you'd still get more bang for your buck this way if you would actually use the logging features.
If you won't be doing any logging a reader like the one you linked may be the way to go for ease of use.
Sorry if I just added confusion to your search
Check out the hardware tab on that site for supported devices and it should tell you everything there is to know. It appears that the hardware that iphones require costs a little more than ones that work for Android devices unfortunately, but you'd still get more bang for your buck this way if you would actually use the logging features.
If you won't be doing any logging a reader like the one you linked may be the way to go for ease of use.
Sorry if I just added confusion to your search