OBD2 Reader
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 190
From: Zion NC
OBD2 Reader
Greetings, my step fathers car threw a minor code a few weeks ago when he was in town. I called a buddy up and drove across town to pick up his OBD2 reader to scan it, then mosied home to do it. I decided this was way too much work, and want to just pick up one. I have seen a lot of "value" priced readers on amazon, that interface with apps on a cellphone. I like the app idea, because of updates and increased functionality. That said, what do you think of these amazon readers? Ever use one? Is there a non value one that works well with various apps. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, I just don't like wasting it either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,508
From: Redmond WA
How cheap do you want to go? Here's one on eBay for literally $3.59:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-OBD2...MAAOSwDw9bNEhr
Or even cheaper, buy an ELM327 chip and get some wires and solder and do it yourself! Heck, on my '94 you could do it for free with a paperclip!
But to answer your main question, for reading generic codes, they're all about the same. If you want to do anything serious I'd get HPTuners for your car. A quality generalized scan tool would be expensive and tell you very little. So I'd say spend $20 or $200 but not in between.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-OBD2...MAAOSwDw9bNEhr
Or even cheaper, buy an ELM327 chip and get some wires and solder and do it yourself! Heck, on my '94 you could do it for free with a paperclip!
But to answer your main question, for reading generic codes, they're all about the same. If you want to do anything serious I'd get HPTuners for your car. A quality generalized scan tool would be expensive and tell you very little. So I'd say spend $20 or $200 but not in between.
Last edited by davepl; Aug 18, 2018 at 11:44 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Greetings, my step fathers car threw a minor code a few weeks ago when he was in town. I called a buddy up and drove across town to pick up his OBD2 reader to scan it, then mosied home to do it. I decided this was way too much work, and want to just pick up one. I have seen a lot of "value" priced readers on amazon, that interface with apps on a cellphone. I like the app idea, because of updates and increased functionality. That said, what do you think of these amazon readers? Ever use one? Is there a non value one that works well with various apps. I don't mind spending money on quality tools, I just don't like wasting it either.
I guess could be liability gotcha. Have seen posts here where you can also use OnStar to tell you some codes but don't think they help much. If in warranty & open, your dealer should read it for you at no charge I would hope. I've got an el-cheapo that helps but still not adequate for in depth diagnosis as someone above said.
