AutoXray GM diagnostic scanner

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Jul 12, 2008 | 05:38 PM

Ferrolanoman

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AutoXray GM diagnostic scanner

I like to hear from those of you who've purchased a diagnostic scanner of this type. Corvette Central has one in their catalog for $230.00. How user friendly is it? In fact, how useful is it? I own a 2008 and would like to identify what the check engine light or other trouble codes/signals are before rushing to the nearest dealer. Is it worth having, is there a better one out there, do any of our friendly sponsors offer a better deal?
thanks very much for your input
ric

Jul 13, 2008 | 03:45 PM

Ferrolanoman

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Nobody owns, uses or knows anything about a diagnostic scanner of ANY kind?

Jul 13, 2008 | 05:50 PM

REVAK

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Joined: Apr 2006

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From: Ambler Pa.

scanner

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferrolanoman

I have an auto xray for vehicles up to 2001. Its easy to use, and I found it very helpful in the shop. However for my C6 I use the predator, because it has full scanning capability and you can program with it.

Jul 13, 2008 | 07:08 PM

Ferrolanoman

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scanner: 27 computers!!

Thank you for your reply. I'm just a little shy to try and reprogram anything in the car, that's why I thought that the Predator would be a bit of a risk to buy and use it. I'd be content with just knowing what the codes mean and/or when something is truly amiss. I already had the car in (twice) last week to diagnose a passenger airbag malfunction. It turns out that the pass seatbelt harness was not latching right and both sides of the seatbelt had to be replaced. After speaking to the tech who diagnosed it and then replaced it (seat had to be removed), I found out that the 08's have 27 computers on board! Hope they get along and talk to each other for years to come.

Jul 13, 2008 | 09:14 PM

C5_Tom

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From: Chandler Arizona

There are many code scanners that you can purchase. They can be obtained at any auto parts house, even Walmart. Auto X-Ray, Actron and Innova are probably the most used. You need to review the features of the various models to determine exactly what level of trouble shooting you are going to to do. For a C6 remember you need a scanner that is CAN compatible. Having said that I use an Innova 3130 on my C6. I also have an Auto X-ray that I used on my C5 and my Toyota truck. The 3130 does all of what I need for less than the cost of a comparable new CAN enabled Auto X-ray, so that is why I did not purchase that unit.

Tom

Jul 13, 2008 | 09:39 PM

Bobz08C6

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2008

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You can spend anywhere from $99 to $3,500 for a GM Tech II. I use this Pro Scan Universal scan tool for all my cars including the '08 Vette. It was $160.00 and includes software and free for life software upgrades. Whatever you buy make sure it is CANBUS compatable which is the new protocal for 2008.

http://www.myscantool.com/

Others on the CF have mentioned the following.
http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolpc.html

Here's a few more:

http://www.diydiagnostics.com/

http://www.autotap.com/productcat.asp?topLevelid=36

Jul 14, 2008 | 10:18 AM

Ferrolanoman

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scan analyzer

Thank you all who responded. I will purchase one that can read as many codes on as many different cars as I can find, from my daughter's 94 Ford Taurus, to my wife's 98 Tahoe to my own 08 Vette.

Jul 14, 2008 | 05:06 PM

Buffy

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I have an AutoXray 4000 (the 4000, 5000 and 6000 are all the same basic unit, just different accessories). Its a good mid-priced scan tool, and a pretty reasonable compromise for someone who works on his own cars and is fairly familiar with what the various readings mean.

If you just want to check a code, there are much cheaper models, if you really need to do everything in the manual you'll need a Tech 2.

You can buy the tool, which reads codes and so on but doesn't do the extended codes or monitoring, then add the programs for various models of cars separately. I've only got the GM extension on mine.

I've used mine on several cars, and found a few problems such as a flaky cam reluctor on a Camaro and a dirty IAC on my wife's Saturn with it. So I'd say its been worth the money for me.