Ok I am not going to the moon but finally need a scan tool as all of my cars are getting older and here comes the CEL & codes. Which is the best tool to get on say Amazon for pulling and clearing codes?
Best OBDII Scan tool for under $50?
- Thread starter Doog
- Start date
- Status
I have an Actron that I got at Pep Boys for $49 about 4 years ago. It does the basics, works fine.
What kind of cell phone do you have?
I bought the Autel MaxiScan MS300 from Amazon last year for under $20 with free shipping. It has been flawless and reads/clears codes from every vehicle I've tried it on. Couldn't be happier and it also comes with a code book. It's currently priced at $17.45 with free shipping. Hard to beat for the price.
You can find it HERE
You can find it HERE
I purchase one of the below linked scan tool from amazon.com a few years ago. It reads and clears codes. I've been very happy with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS3...dii+code+reader
http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS3...dii+code+reader
Any sub $500 scan tool, especially a $50 one is going to be pretty limited.
It depends what you are trying to accomplish. Devices in this price range will only give you OBDII codes, which are not terribly helpful in the big picture. The amount of live data given will be minimal at best...and forget about bi-directional control.
If you're trying to do diagnostics, then OBDII devices are especially lousy since they do nothing more than give you the DTC. And even then, it doesn't give you all of the codes that may be present. For instance, my Prius has 10+ different ECUs that can set codes, and a generic OBDII reader will not read all of them.
It depends what you are trying to accomplish. Devices in this price range will only give you OBDII codes, which are not terribly helpful in the big picture. The amount of live data given will be minimal at best...and forget about bi-directional control.
If you're trying to do diagnostics, then OBDII devices are especially lousy since they do nothing more than give you the DTC. And even then, it doesn't give you all of the codes that may be present. For instance, my Prius has 10+ different ECUs that can set codes, and a generic OBDII reader will not read all of them.
JHZR2
Staff member
+1 to the Critic's comments. But for a loss leader item, Autel MS 509 is roughly $50 and probably the best bet.
Ultragauge - reads/clears codes and does everything a scanguage can and more.
I have this
its a GREAT software/hardware bundle
http://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-423001-El...p;keywords=obd2
As critic said , having software handling all the data on computer and a cheap hardware just to connect things up is best way to go. Soemone somewhere is always updating software to deal wtih more ECU's , and spending 500+ compared to 30 bucks doesnt make sense. Specialy since it may be useless in a year or two.
its a GREAT software/hardware bundle
http://www.amazon.com/ScanTool-423001-El...p;keywords=obd2
As critic said , having software handling all the data on computer and a cheap hardware just to connect things up is best way to go. Soemone somewhere is always updating software to deal wtih more ECU's , and spending 500+ compared to 30 bucks doesnt make sense. Specialy since it may be useless in a year or two.
Last edited:
Go to AutoZone where its free. $50 is not going to buy you much.
code scanning in California isn't "legal" for free.
I don't think AZ can even loan the scan tool out anymore.
You have to be a shop, Aamco does code scanning for free, but they aren't everywhere.
I don't think AZ can even loan the scan tool out anymore.
You have to be a shop, Aamco does code scanning for free, but they aren't everywhere.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Go to AutoZone where its free. $50 is not going to buy you much.
I normally do but now I am so busy at work that it is usually 9:00pm before I get a look at a car in the garage. So, I just want a plug in cheapie that is reliable and can get me started.
I bought the $17 one from amazon with a 5' extension cable.
Thanks to all who replied.
Go to AutoZone where its free. $50 is not going to buy you much.
I normally do but now I am so busy at work that it is usually 9:00pm before I get a look at a car in the garage. So, I just want a plug in cheapie that is reliable and can get me started.
I bought the $17 one from amazon with a 5' extension cable.
Thanks to all who replied.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Go to AutoZone where its free. $50 is not going to buy you much.
There are scanners (or code readers) available for every budget right from $15 to multi-thousand dollars.
I believe you get quite a lot for $50. The capability provided by $50 scanner used to be only available at professional tools which used to cost few thousands dollar just few years ago.
Even a scanner supporting all 10 modes can easily be found under $100. Heck, you could even get some ABS/Airbag scanning capability at that price.
$50 not going to buy you much is wrong.
Go to AutoZone where its free. $50 is not going to buy you much.
There are scanners (or code readers) available for every budget right from $15 to multi-thousand dollars.
I believe you get quite a lot for $50. The capability provided by $50 scanner used to be only available at professional tools which used to cost few thousands dollar just few years ago.
Even a scanner supporting all 10 modes can easily be found under $100. Heck, you could even get some ABS/Airbag scanning capability at that price.
$50 not going to buy you much is wrong.
Originally Posted By: Vikas
Leave it to TheCritic to recommend a $500 Toyota(Lexus) Only scanner (not the real price for the authentic tool either!, the genuine TechStream will be in thousands of dollars)
For crying out, the guy asked for $50 scanner!
Vikas - you should have been able to tell from my screenshot, that my vehicle (and I know Doog owns Toyotas as well) has 16 different areas that could possibly throw DTCs. A $50 code reader is going to read codes from the Powertrain, at best. It won't give him the information needed to diagnose the issues that are causing the DTCs either. So...how much good will it be?
Also, a sophisticated scan tool (aftermarket or OE) is becoming more and more important these days. For instance...if you have an A/C issue, you should always scan the vehicle to see if the A/C system is throwing any DTCs - and a $50 scan tool (or even $500 one) won't give you that information.
Leave it to TheCritic to recommend a $500 Toyota(Lexus) Only scanner (not the real price for the authentic tool either!, the genuine TechStream will be in thousands of dollars)
For crying out, the guy asked for $50 scanner!
Vikas - you should have been able to tell from my screenshot, that my vehicle (and I know Doog owns Toyotas as well) has 16 different areas that could possibly throw DTCs. A $50 code reader is going to read codes from the Powertrain, at best. It won't give him the information needed to diagnose the issues that are causing the DTCs either. So...how much good will it be?
Also, a sophisticated scan tool (aftermarket or OE) is becoming more and more important these days. For instance...if you have an A/C issue, you should always scan the vehicle to see if the A/C system is throwing any DTCs - and a $50 scan tool (or even $500 one) won't give you that information.
- Status
