Low-Cost Reliable OBD Scanner

[cci]

Looks like I need to join the 20th century.

Any recommendations on a reliable low-cost OBD scanner?

This is not for commercial use, it's probably going to ride in the toolbox of the 1996 Dodge B3500.

 

[Nukeman7]

The BlueDriver OBD scantool is powerful, easy to use, intuitive and worth every penny at the current $70 sale price.

 

[DemoFly]

Funnily enough, your dodge truck can read its own OBD codes if you cycle the ignition 3 times.

My cheapy that I keep in my portable toolbox is Ancel AD310. It reads generic OBD2 and the live data stream is good enough for most jobs.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If you just want something cheap, get the cheap one at Walmart for $20

 

[SC Maintenance]

I agree to just start with the most basic ones. There like $10.

An app like Torque Pro with a cheap dongle will give you access to real time data - including often misfire registers and other things that are very helpful - and your still into it for maybe $25 total - if you already have the phone.

 

[cci]

If you just want something cheap, get the cheap one at Walmart for $20

Thanks all who replied!

 

[cci]

https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-AD310-...1766195089&sprefix=obd+scanner,aps,192&sr=8-6

Maybe something like this?

 

[Blazered]

You can check the codes on your truck without a scanner by doing the "key dance" where you cycle the ignition from off to on 3 times, without starting the truck and leaving it in the on position after the 3 cycles.

 

[xspeedy]

I wanted to get something Bi-Di without spending a ton and without a recurring subscription. Most of the WiFi tablets on Amazon are gray market and require a subscription to function. I decided to try the Innova 5610. I just want to be able to read wheel speed sensors and activate some modules like ABS. They have a bit of a promotion at the moment.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z481NJM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[Marcozi]

OBDFusion

 

[D60]

Yeah just try any of the BT options, assuming you have a smartphone. They're affordable and easy to carry with you. Keep a dongle in each vehicle. I've been using a Veepeak?? I got on a warehouse deal for something like $8

Real scumbags will buy these, use Carista to turn off Toy seat belt chimes, then return the dongle.

Whatever you're looking at, weigh cost and/or subscription against risk. ie if it's a free app and you hate it, you just uninstall. If it's ~$10, probably low risk and worst case you're out $10 if you hate it. You'll have to decide where your threshold is for "too expensive"

Some apps like Jscan are good for CDJR. But if you want to do advanced things you need to pay for a $25 license and it's good for that vehicle only. However it can be well worth it, depending upon what you're doing. Also if you hit that point in Jscan and don't want to pay, you certainly don't have to. Just look for other solutions.

Finally, keep your eyes peeled for old Snappy bricks or Modii -- they're some of the very few that can pull 2nd Gen ABS codes, and these vehicles LOVE to illuminate that ABS light. In '96 you just get a weird two-digit code I think, but you can't get that from the key dance AFAIK

 

[iCurious]

What is your goal? Do you just need generic scan data or also bi-directional controls?

Either way - you can buy the bluetooth dongle version for cheap. Brands does not really matter for your application.

 

[martinq]

What is your goal? Do you just need generic scan data or also bi-directional controls?

Either way - you can buy the bluetooth dongle version for cheap. Brands does not really matter for your application.

The VeePeak VP11 is a reliable & solid choice for an OBD2 BT adapter. Works well with free Android OBD2 apps like AndrOBD and Car Scanner.

There's also an app called ELM327 Identifier which is handy in testing your BT adapter.

My primary application was for the CVTz50 app for monitoring / testing Nissan / JATCO CVTs and the VP11 works great especially for the price.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I think I have a Veepeak also?

And a white one with no name.

They both work fine. I have Torque Pro on my tablet and 4 stroke on my iphone. Torque Pro is better but they don't have an ios version. In reality both work for most everything I need.

I have a Foxwell that does 2 way for ABS, air bags and SAS. I think it was $100. It reads regular OBD2 codes also (not 2 way) but lacks the logging functions of the apps.

 

[carthusiast]

For a ’96 Dodge, a simple OBD2 scanner works fine. I’ve been using youcanic lately and it just reads codes without any hassle. You can also research on Foxwell, Autel, or even Torque and find which one you'd like more

 

[Snagglefoot]

What is it you need to be able to bleed the brakes on a vehicle with Anti lock brakes?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

What is it you need to be able to bleed the brakes on a vehicle with Anti lock brakes?

Usually nothing except a set of speed bleeders

The only cars I know of that required special ABS bleeding are some early 90s Hondas

You can check the codes on your truck without a scanner by doing the "key dance" where you cycle the ignition from off to on 3 times, without starting the truck and leaving it in the on position after the 3 cycles.

WOW that is cool