What does everyone use for determining the codes your engine is throwing? I know you can run to AutoZone, but I'd like to have a scanner myself because I expect codes from time to time.
Options? Costs? Thanks.
Matt S.
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I bought the cheap one from Autozone. It was like, $75, will read codes and clear them. Works for what I need.
i get to play with one everyday
but thats only because i work for autozone lol
Brian
I've got the Actron OBDII Code Scanner from AutoZone, it's the orange one. haha. They go for $150 new which was more than I was going to spend. Then 1 day I went in there to visit my friend and they were running a sale on them for $100 plus I got my friends 20% discount. It was a deal I couldn't pass up for $80. You don't use it THAT often, but I think it's awesome to have. Plus it's helped a few times on my parents and friends cars.
Cavispeed, that is the one I think I may go with. Jake suggested it and loves it, so I'll probably take his suggestion. I was thinking about the one Arnjolt has, but to my knowledge it just tells you the code number, not description. Correct?
Matt S.
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I paid 40 bucks for mine from ebay and works just fine, clears codes and reads them, plus comes with a book for code description. Its a CTools Automotive Scanner.
can you do it will a laptop too
??????
Yes, you can do it with your laptop. I am currently looking for a program to buy. Most of the programs are free but require you to buy a $100.00 hardware interface adapter to translate the signal and protect your laptop.
The software package is the better deal, the code readers are a real rip-off. Once you have the code and description you still have to narrow things down, and some sensor problems like O2 don't trip a code right away. A software program will let you run and record as much information as your hard drive will store.
Here's a link to the last discussion I started on this topic.
http://www.j-body.org/forums/read.php?f=30&i=21336&t=21287
I have since found about 6 different companies that deal with different interfaces, if your interested I will post some links for you. You can find tons of stuff (outside of this org, of course) just by typing in "OBDII" "diagnostic link" into any web search engine. The diagnostic link is the hardware interface between the laptop and the car, and seems to be the key words that will separate out the diagnostic software from the programming/chip burning software which seems to be more popular.
Matt, I'm not sure about the Arnjolt code scanner. The Actron gives you the number and description on the screen and then you can clear it. It works fine for me.
There are hundreds of different code scanners out there, some for laptops and even for your handhelp PDA. The Actron that I have narrows it down enough for me, what else could a misfire in the 5th cylinder be?? (Scanned brothers camaro). Sure, recording more information would be good maybe if you were trying to fix the problem yourself or something but for basic everyday use, the Actron tells me enough.
Cavispeed, that's what I"m looking for. I don't want to worry about losing a book to find what code #52342 is. I'd like a laptop program, but who wants to leave their laptop in their car all the time if you need to reset a code each time you start up (EGR).
Much appreciated for the info guys.
Pearl, check obd-2.com
Matt S.
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