I would like to buy a code reader, however, I’m not sure which one to get. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on it, but I also want it to be functional and able to read codes on multiple makes of cars and trucks. Any ideas? Thanks!!

 

I bought mine at Walmart, it is a HyperTough, was about $25 dollars, works well. I have used it on numerous cars of different makes, reads the codes and you can reset them to get the lights off. Very easy to use. Guess it's not as good as the high dollar professional ones but does all I need it to do.

 

I use a Blue driver, it has a lot of functions!
https://us.bluedriver.com/pages/bluedriver

 

You can get a Foxwell scanner $100 - $200(I have one). There is Harbor Freights, Zurich - ZR13s - OBD2 Code Reader With ABS/SRS/FixAssist for $169 minus coupon.
Try to get a scanner that includes ABS, SRS, and maybe more modules.
You should get one that has more than a ECM reader. Today's cars have many modules. Cheap scanners only work with the engine control module.
I would suggest the Harbor Freight one because you can return it easily if you don't like it.
Also check if you get free lifetime software upgrades.( Foxwell does! )
Good luck.

 

I use OBDLink MX+ https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mxp/

Need to define "don't want to spend a lot of money". For some that's $10. For others that's $1,000

 

I have this one too. Its great.

 

https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mxp/

 

A couple of words of advice...

OBDII scanners start at about $20 and go all the way up to multiple thousands of dollars - you need to decide what features you need/want.

IMHO - the bare minimum is to be able to read and erase Powertrain codes, and to be able to look at the IM readiness monitors. You can get that for around $25. If you want to look at Transmission codes, ABS codes, SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) Codes - now you're up to around $150 - $250. If you want two way communications (so you can do things like activate the ABS or reset the Steering Wheel Sensor) - you're looking at $400+. The really high end models let you things like program "smart keys", download software updates to the various computers in the car etc.

Once you get to the three digit price range - some scanners require yearly software "upgrades" - where the upgrade may cost half (or more) of what the scanner cost. In some cases - without the yearly "update" the scanner is nearly useless.

Most scanners are all in one units, but there are a number that use bluetooth to connect to a tablet or smart phone.

One strategy I've seen some people use is to buy a relatively inexpensive scanner (in the $25 - $100 range) and use it for a little while, and get some experience with it. If you find that you need a higher end unit - try to find someone who has one, and see if they would be willing to let you "borrow it". See the differences, and see if it's something you want to invest the $$$ in. Another is to get a OBDII "dongle" (that plus into your OBDII port, and works through bluetooth to a device you already own), and buy an app for your tablet / smartphone like "Torque Pro". Or you could spend a bit more and buy the Blue Driver "dongle" and their app is free (but only works with their "dongle".

Again - the first thing to do is to figure out what you need the scanner to be capable of doing....

 

Good advice ...

 

Subscribed to this thread. Thanks for all the recommendations thus far.

 

You're right, I should have indicated what the price range I wanted to stay in. I was thinking of $100.00 or less. A lot of great advise here this morning, I really appreciate everyone for taking the time to respond. Lot's to think about.

 

Purple92 gives some great advice.
Step one is doing your research to find out what scanners can do.
Next is find out how much it costs to do what you need.
On one hand you're wasting money if you buy capabilities you don't need. On the other hand you're wasting money if you buy a scanner that can't do what you want it to do.
Starting with a relatively cheap scanner and keeping track of every time you want to do something the scanner can't do is probably the cheapest in the long run. If your usage is frequently impaired by the missing capability it's time to upgrade.

Looks like some videos comparing scanners are on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...y=obd2+scanner

 

I use a ScanGauge (https://www.scangauge.com) in my Scion due to the gauges not working. It has functioned perfectly fine with daily use for over 3 years. It has an easy to use interface and if you want to monitor other values then you have a lot of options. Clears codes easy enough and is easy to read. Customer service is top notch as well.

 

Forgive me for asking but what do you want to do? Buy some rinky dink toy when you can go to Autozone and have them read the codes for free and give you a rough explanation based on the code read? The computer will print out a sheet of suggestions and you take it from there. If you are one of those "No one can tough my baby." sort of people, they will hand you the code reader or you can borrow the more detailed one. It just takes a tool deposit and you are done.

 

It's not necessarily for my Corvette, I have two other vehicles and one is beginning to show signs of upcoming trouble. I have taken it to Auto Zone twice now and they have been very helpful by scanning and clearing the "Check Engine" light. In both cases it was a relatively minor issue. I thought that if I had my own scanner I could scan it at home in case of a more serious problem that I shouldn't be driving it at all.

 

Pretty much everything from 96 and up, you can access with the same code reader/scanner. The difference is the data. The way I am seeing it, you can loan the Autozone scanner and get 100% of your money back if all you want to do is read the codes. It isn't that complicated to borrow their tool. I would and did go for the OBD Link unit which I can use to read data and not just scan a code. That means someone else can ask you to read some parameter and get a better idea of the code and what it indicates. For example, if you have 2 codes for the O2 sensors reading lean, you might think it is the sensors but it is likely to be the MAF. Someone can ask you to read the values and tell you what you have going on. With the code reader, all it gives you is the 2 codes. I would buy the scanner and use that.

 

I’ve used the code reader for years, don’t remember the brand, always worked well, codes always correct. Just had to look up what the code meant. Bought a BlueDriver a year or so ago, love it. Gives the code, and what it is, don’t have to look it up, plus what you need to fix it.

 

For those interested, the Bluedriver from Amazon is a lighting deal today only. Save $35.00.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I have a ScanGage 2 on my C7 and Tacoma that reads real time params as well as reports codes. Also a BlueDriver code reader. These all work well as far as they go for codes and some live data. But a lot of the whole OBD2 reader biz is a racket, especially when you are looking for bi-directional capability such as bleeding ABS, registering TPMS sensors, programming keys, etc. Many ads for the cheaper units that purport to do these functions have a lot of tricky disclaimers... and/or simply don't work for the desired function, or as noted above require undisclosed fees. Sometimes a seller will be honest and answer your prepurchase questions but if you read the reviews on these devices it is clear that isn't always the case.

Some of the more expensive units are probably better choices if you want those extra functions. For instance, a Toyota tech has a youtube channel and has reviewed and tested some and likes the XTool D7 and D8. I may get one of these so I can properly bleed the ABS unit on my Tacoma... and my C7. But this is a whole 'nother price range from the cheap simple scanners. As far as I can tell with my research so far there are no additional fees and you get universal free updates for 5 years after which there is an annual fee to load the new year models. Or by then you need a new tool, perhaps. I am still not 100% positive about the fees, however, and will need to verify that for myself first.

This guy mostly caters to specific Toyota maintenance procedures but this scanner supposedly works for all OBD2 and gives you a bit of an idea what all you can do with one of these. Probably a lot more than most of us would ever need to do.

 

Thanks everyone for your advise and knowledge regarding a scanner. I finally decided on the BlueDriver scanner. I especially liked the 35% off sale! Lots of gray matter on this forum!!!!!