OBD II scanner needed

[Zero]

Looking to invest in the above tool, I'd like to purchase one that will clear the code and provide live data at the very least. My budget is between $100 - $200; I'm willing to spend more if necessary. I'm not much of a mechanic, just a parts changer, but I'm tired of paying $40 a clip to have my engine coded.

The only OBD II's I've looked at are the Craftsman models at Sears.....what else is available and where?

What make and model tool as well as other features would you suggest?

 

[Donald]

If you have a laptop, look at the http://www.autoenginuity.com/ one.

Another one is the bluetooth one that uses a smartphone. They have the good adapter for about $100 and the cheap ones for $20. The Torque software is free I believe.

It depends upon your needs and wallet.

 

[eljefino]

Just for your specific car you own now or a general purpose one?

For general purpose, an innova 3160 is hard to beat at $200.

Specifically, you can usually get a dongle for your bluetooth or USB that runs make-specific software that does more for less. Especially if you have a VW/Audi, toyota, or tuner-friendly hot rod.

 

[danthaman1980]

If you have an Android smart phone, you may want to go the bluetooth adapter route. Cheap OBDII adapters can be ordered through Amazon (I have a $15 adapter that works just fine); Apps like Torque (Free) are fine for reading codes... but Torque Pro ($4.95) is magical.

I also have an Innova 3160B, which is $200 through Amazon. Best $200 OBDII tool around. If you don't have Anroid, this is what I'd recommend.

 

[Zero]

I've got an Android, but it's a company phone; I may not always have it so I'd like to get a stand-alone unit.

A general purpose unit is what I'm seeking, for American made vehicles (I own/maintain four). I went down the Audi road once.....don't even get me started.

 

[javacontour]

If it were me, I'd do it anyway. Who says you can't buy an android phone off ebay/craigslist and never put a SIM in it.

They still work with wifi!

I use torque pro on my tablet with an inexpensive adapater. The 1996 vintage Pentium 133 laptop and the Alex Peper OBD-2 adapter didn't connect to our newer cars. So for less than a $20 in total, I can read and clear codes etc.

Originally Posted By: Zero
I've got an Android, but it's a company phone; I may not always have it so I'd like to get a stand-alone unit.

A general purpose unit is what I'm seeking, for American made vehicles (I own/maintain four). I went down the Audi road once.....don't even get me started.

 

[Wolf359]

Probably the best way to go is with an ELM 327 code reader which are about $10-$20 and then the Torque app on an android device. I think there's also iphone apps out there as well.

Also why are you pay $40 a clip to have it read? Most auto parts stores like Autozone or Advance Auto will read the code for free.

 

[EricF]

You can buy an inexpensive android tablet off ebay for like $50, and they're pretty decent for the price and get the elm362 adapter and go for it. decent sized 7" screen with Torque you can view a lot of live settings with the add-ons.
I bought the Torque program and the other add-ons, the program is pretty darn good and I wanted to support the author.

And, you'd have a tablet to boot!

 

[surfstar]

I like my Ultragauge - I leave it installed for the gauges in my Civic, and have used it for pulling codes and re-setting CELs from my Civic, Vue, along with a 2007 Surbaru Forester and 1997 4runner - all quickly and easily.

 

[zzyzzx]

I use one the more expensive Actron one and I love it. I think it's the CP9580 or CP9580A.

 

[dgsbikes]

I am looking for one too...What's the difference between the following option? More specifically what can option B do that A cannot?

A. ELM327+Torque Pro
B. Innova 3160B

I own Hondas and Toyotas.

Thanks.

 

[ARB1977]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Just for your specific car you own now or a general purpose one?

For general purpose, an innova 3160 is hard to beat at $200.

Specifically, you can usually get a dongle for your bluetooth or USB that runs make-specific software that does more for less. Especially if you have a VW/Audi, toyota, or tuner-friendly hot rod.

I should of picked up that one. I paid 140.00 for my scanner at autozone. All it does is read codes and gives live data. 3160 also reads abs and airbag codes as well.

 

[dgsbikes]

Anyone? I need help picking between the two options and need to understand what I will get/miss with one over the other.

Thanks

Originally Posted By: dgsbikes
I am looking for one too...What's the difference between the following option? More specifically what can option B do that A cannot?

A. ELM327+Torque Pro
B. Innova 3160B

I own Hondas and Toyotas.

Thanks.

 

[Vikas]

One costs about $20 and the other costs $200; can't you get both?

The $200 is stand-alone. It has a nifty feature of scanning for I/M monitors constantly, so you know how many in-completes you have at one glance. That becomes extremely valuable when you need to get your old cars to get the annual sticker. I used the BluePoint version of that unit to get my sticker this year; I would NOT have been able to get my car passed if it were not for that scanner.

 

[dgsbikes]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
One costs about $20 and the other costs $200; can't you get both?


Thanks Vikas. I can, but don't want to spend $200 if I don't have to.

 

[Vikas]

Then spend $20 and don't look at the $200 scanner!

I am not trying to be wise guy here but genuinely want to know why you are comparing $20 and $200 items?

I am assuming you do not have any scanner or code reader today. Just buy the one you can afford now and then do more research for your next one. If you have multiple cars, you can leave one in each.

 

[dgsbikes]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Then spend $20 and don't look at the $200 scanner!

I am not trying to be wise guy here but genuinely want to know why you are comparing $20 and $200 items?

I am not pitching them one against the other, but rather trying to understand the differences in the products (and not their prices) to make a diligent decision. Once I understand the differences, I will look at the prices after then and decide which one, at its price point, is a value for money to me.

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I am assuming you do not have any scanner or code reader today. Just buy the one you can afford now and then do more research for your next one. If you have multiple cars, you can leave one in each.


Research - I am doing exactly that. I would like to do the research before buying a unit, especially since I don't necessarily need one right away and can wait for a few days/couple of weeks to do the due diligence. There's no point in plonking down money on one (regardless of how large or small the amount is) and then realizing I would have rather got the other unit.

I appreciate your tips and thoughts.

 

[yonyon]

It looks like that Innova unit will handle ABS and restraint systems. If you aren't comfortable dealing with those or don't expect to need them, it isn't an issue. Of course, with Hondas in your stable, you can expect to need ABS coverage eventually. For the price, why not wait until you actually need it? The price of these things tends to go down ever lower the longer you wait.

The Torque option OTOH can be outrageously wonderful with it's ability to display the data that's available to it. For the price, it's well worth getting even if you decide to buy the Innova.

I've never used an Innnova, but have use of a MODIS at work which, like the Innova, has extended functionality. I find that for check engine lights, both the Snap On and the cell phone are usually adequate but about 1 in 10 times I'll put down whichever I started with and grab the other because that tool will work better. It's about a 50/50 split as to which tool is better.

 

[dgsbikes]

Does the Torque Pro clear codes?

Never had a CEL other than the scheduled fluid changes!

Do the non-MIL codes from maintenance minder (I don't know if I am saying that right, but maybe service codes like change ATF, oil, etc.) get erased from the memory when I reset the maintenance minder?

I do my own maintenance and so far all I have done is reset the MM on the car using the knobs on the dashboard. I don't want to end up in a situation where, if either cars were to get scanned for any reason - goodwill, trade-in appraisal, etc., would turn up all this "unaddressed" codes in the ECU that resetting the MM would not take care of after the DIY maintenance.

Does the Torque Pro allow monitoring fluid temps like coolant, ATF, oil?

 

[Vikas]

Torque can clear the code and monitor coolant temperature. You will need lots more money to get ATF and oil temperature.

Maintenance minder and CEL/MIL have no relationship at all.

Pending codes will be detected by Torque. But usually pending codes don't stay pending forever. If there is a real problem, it will change from pending to stored and the MIL will turn on. If it was a fluke occurrence, the pending will go away on its own.

Be careful about ABS or SRS capability of the Innova. Most of them only support domestic vehicles for ABS or SRS (airbag) scanning. You really need to read the fine print and reviews before spending $200.

Once again, unless you own at least one scanner, it will difficult for you to assess and figure out your ideal scanner. I am afraid you are getting in to usual trap of wanting the best but not really knowing and letting the good go away from you in your search. If you ever paid $40 to have your car coded as you said it in your original post, you have already wasted $40.