Who has a diagnostic code reader for vehicles?

[gregintenn]

I am in the market for one and know nothing about them. I'd like to learn from you guys what you like and dislike about yours. What to avoid. Thanks in advance.

[MacGyver]

I’ve got one of the older one and a newer one that you can just leave plugged in all the time.  It hooks to an app on your phone and connects via Bluetooth.  

It was maybe $7 on Amazon.  If I was in the market today, that’s the route I’d go again. 

[gregintenn]

7 dollars? Wow! I was thinking $200.

[peejman]

I've got a hand-held one from Amazon. It was about $30. I just read the reviews and picked one I liked. I think it's this one... 

https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-AD310-Enhanced-Universal-Diagnostic/dp/B01G5EA74I/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=obdii+scanner&qid=1551207394&s=gateway&sr=8-3

The phone app versions are pretty neat. 

[TNMTBik3r]

If I was buying something today I would also look at one to connect to a phone app, as they (at least the couple I looked at briefly last year) offer a whole lot more information and can even record some performance data to your phone for review.

I have this one from Amazon, bought it years ago and have used it a handful of times.

Autel AutoLink AL319 OBD2 Scanner Automotive Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Scan Tool

Edited February 26, 2019 by jonathon1289

[DaveTN]

I needed one right away, so I picked this one up at Advance Auto Parts. It would read the code and clear it; that’s all I needed it to do.

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/actron-pocket-scan-code-reader-cp9125-c/9020005-P?searchTerm=Actron+Pocket+Scan+Code+Reader

Or you can order it off Amazon for $40.

 

[Garufa]

Do places like Advance, AutoZone, etc., not read the codes for free anymore?

[mikegideon]

24 minutes ago, Garufa said:

Do places like Advance, AutoZone, etc., not read the codes for free anymore?

I think they do. Saw a guy ask for it at Autozone a couple weeks ago.

[TNMTBik3r]

They will read them for free. They don't, or at least are not supposed to, clear them for you.

[MacGyver]

Most modern emissions testing places have advanced enough equipment to see if you’ve just cleared he codes.  You’re supposed to complete a full drive cycle before they’ll pass you - at least in Nashville.  

I’m not sure that Greg is in a county that needs it for emissions.  They’re helpful for general repair work, though. 

Here’s a similar one to the one I got recently:

https://www.amazon.com/OBD2-OBDII-Bluetooth-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B01HXGX8V6/ref=asc_df_B01HXGX8V6/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312177448019&hvpos=1o7&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17061142339596273251&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013192&hvtargid=pla-570352764845&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=61495038909&th=1

[Garufa]

If you clear the codes without fixing the problem won’t the check engine light just come back on?  I assume that light is the problem?

[MacGyver]

15 minutes ago, Garufa said:

If you clear the codes without fixing the problem won’t the check engine light just come back on?  I assume that light is the problem?

Yes, that’s generally correct.  

[Garufa]

1 minute ago, MacGyver said:

Yes, that’s generally correct.  

Kinda what I thought.  Disconnecting the battery for a few minutes also does the same thing...temporary relief.

[peejman]

1 hour ago, Garufa said:

Kinda what I thought.  Disconnecting the battery for a few minutes also does the same thing...temporary relief.

It's also a way to see if it's a recurring problem or not. 

[Grayfox54]

Pretty much all the inexpensive scan tools are about the same. If they will read the codes and clear them, that's all the average owner needs. I've got an older C-Reader that I bought cheap at a NAPA clearance sale about 10 years ago that still works just fine for my needs. 

Bear in mind that knowing the code is only half the problem. It will just give you a general idea of where to look for the problem. Sometimes its a lot more complex than you think.  

[gregintenn]

13 hours ago, Garufa said:

Do places like Advance, AutoZone, etc., not read the codes for free anymore?

When you live out in the sticks like me, a trip to town eats gas and time. I'd rather be able to do it myself.

[gregintenn]

Thanks again for the advice. Since i'm not real tech savvy, and this one has good reviews, I decided to give it a try.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Autel-Diagnostic-MaxiLink-ML529-Enhanced/dp/B07MNJ7MTL/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1OQQMP7TBFH5W&keywords=automobile+code+reader+scanner+diagnostic+scan+tool&qid=1551279929&s=gateway&sprefix=automobile+code%2Caps%2C424&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

[beebee233]

10 hours ago, gregintenn said:

When you live out in the sticks like me, a trip to town eats gas and time. I'd rather be able to do it myself.

gregintenn,

This probably doesn't do you any good since you're a boat ride or two into town, but you can "rent" a high end scan tool from Advance/Autozone/Oreilly for free. You give them a card they charge you a hundred bucks and refund when you return. It is, from what I understand, similar to the tool an auto shop would use. I have rented them before and they do way much more than the 4 buck scanner from ebay I also have tried. The problem with the one from Autozone is being able to effectively interpret the data. I was overwhelmed by the information it provided when I used it. Good luck.

[Jeb48]

I never got around to ordering one but did some looking last summer. I was looking for one to plug in and leave that I could read from my smart phone. Some/all of the cheap ones were not recommended to leave connected all the time because they pulled some current even when the vehicle was off. The more expensive ones didn't pull as much or none at all.