good OBDII code reader for home use??

[Russell]

Need it for my 98 Ford Explorer. Not really sure what to look for.

BTW, I have one specific for my obd1 bmw. However will not work on anything else.

Thanks

 

[JTK]

All you need is this> ODII reader That's about the best price you'll find nowadays too.

Joel

 

[Familyguy]

That's pretty cheap. I've got a unit made by the same company that costs about $100. I've been happy with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Equus-CanOBD2-CodeReader-Plastic-PLST3100S/dp/B000JSG3CW

 

[Johnny248]

Costco has a nice little scanner for $30.00 I have it and it has worked on every car I've trived. ODBII/Can

 

[tomcat27]

I've tried numerous ODB readers (I have a professional unit made by OTC, one that connects to my Palm Pilot, and an Equus Innova 3130) for value, I really like the Equus Innove. now, deciding which model you want depends on what you want to do with it - if you simply want to read the codes, then any model will do. If you actually want to read the Live Data stream, then you need a model capable of that. (The innova 3130 or above) For instance, you can read the actual temperature reading of the Engine coolant temperature sensor - currently my van and jeep are running a few degrees low - which I could only verify by reading the data stream - and this condition would not throw a code.

OBDII cars have multiple 02 sensors - and if you can read the data stream you can actually tell which ones are truly bad. so, I prefer to recommend a scanner that can read the data.

 

[DieselTech]

Do you just want to read codes or do you also want to data log from laptop?

If you want to data log and be able to read codes on all domestic vehicles look at the Auto Enginuity. It's pricy roughly 600.00, but it's well worth it.

 

[demarpaint]

I like the Equus Innova 3160. I think it can pull codes from ABS as well. This is still pretty new to me, but having one is well worth it, now that I moved up from 1993 to 2008.

 

[youdontwannaknow]

if you dont specifically need a handheld and would be ok with something that can be used with a laptop or another handheld devices like Palm then I recommend this - http://www.obdpros.com/ .
It also opens up the options for lots of free (and paid) software to be used with these types of devices. Software that can do a lot more than handheld devices.

I have this reader and it has been flawless. Good support too.

 

[demarpaint]

Is there any affordable device that a DYI'er can use to flash program? Or is that something only the dealer can do?

 

[Russell]

Thanks everyone.

So far, I have learned it may be best to spend more and get something to read live data. I think one of my 02 sensors is bad.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: JTK
All you need is this> ODII reader That's about the best price you'll find nowadays too.

Joel


That is exactly the unit I have... does the trick just fine!

 

[eljefino]

I have this exact guy for $38.

The display contrast is mediocre, blue on blue. But it shows I/M readiness, live data, and of course codes. Only bummer is it doesn't do CAN.

 

[djb]

It's more than a basic code reader, but the following device is an interesting option if you want to do monitoring.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.16921

Another option is the Davis Carchip. It's intended for logging, but it can also read and clear codes. I have an older one and love the logging.

 

[lipadj46]

Yes make sure you get one that can read live data. I have little unit that reads and erases and it is pretty useless to me (I keep it in the glove compartment) unless I just need to read and erase codes. It is nice to be able to see the coolant temp or to see how the O2 sensors are behaving etc.

 

[Falcon_LS]

I use ScanXL with the Enhanced Ford Diagnostics package. Brilliant stuff! I would recommend the Bluetooth kit, makes it much more convenient.

 

[onion]

I have an ALDL cable, available here:

http://aldlcable.com/

Hooks up to my laptop's USB port, and to the OBDI connector. I use TunerPro software, which is free (and open source, I think). Got this setup to hook up to my '94 Chevy Corsica. It's an oddball system, a so-called OBD1.5- and most cheap scan tools won't work with it. Several other free software packages come with that ALDL cable, but TunerPro is the only one I've found that will work with my oddball system. It will monitor sensor data and switch inputs, and check and clear codes- both for the ECU and the ABS system.

Software available here: http://tunerpro.net/

In more popular applications, this can be used for re-flashing, emulating, and the like. Not much tuning support available for a '94 Corsica, though.

The definition files are created by random people (many of the files are posted on the TunerPro site.), and are therefore a little buggy on occasion (especially the ABS definition). But it's to be expected in a low-volume free software. It doesn't cover all vehicles, so I'd suggest doing some investigation before you go for this setup.

I haven't tried hooking up to the wife's OBDII vehicle- it will require a different cable (available from the same aldlcable.com site). But for my application, this is hard to beat. I've no doubt that TunerPro and/or some of the other free softwares will work with the wife's car... I'll investigate sometime.