Would you buy Harbor Freight Zurich auto code readers?
Would you buy HF Zurich code readers
- Thread starter JLawrence08648
- Start date
Same as Innova.
Blue Driver code reader has lifetime free updates. No annual fee. Buy once, and it works on many many vehicles.
I have one of the higher models of the Zurich OBDII readers. It lead me to an ABS problem on my 2007 Ram1500. On a trip to Minnesota I hit a huge pothole.Lights came on and Cruise stopped working. Speedometer was up and down by itself. I had no idea what happened. The tested told me it was either a bad ABS sensor on the drivers side rear wheel or a broken wire. Sure enough, it had a broken wire to the sensor. I don't think I would have ever found it since it caused so many strange errors. Paid for itself on that one repair.
No, I have an Autel code reader, which I used quite a bit. Now I have a $16 plug in scanner that does all the code reading and more. My T100 is basic, no tach. Now with free scanner software I have the rpm, and more readers than I need to know about, all on my Iphone.
The Harbor Freight scanner I have is actually an Autel 519 I believe that's the part number. Got it back in 2013 for about $80. Does everything except abs/srs/trans, so just the engine sensors and the enhanced ob2 mode six (nice for showing soon to be failing sensors but didn't turn the check engine light on yet). I like how mine auto-ranges the graphing of the o2 sensors. That way you can watch an 02 sensor respond around stochiometric, that alone helps to show if the sensor is slow in responding to the air/fuel mixture. Some graphing doesn't do that and it's practically usesless. I've tried others. But I like autel, just need one to do abs/srs/trans. I did just get an Ancel from Amazon on a ligtning deal but not impressed since the graphing was not auto-ranging.. I returned it. Plus the font size was so small! Crazy tiny!
I think Innova makes some comparable software to Autel. And if HF's new scanners are Innova they did well. I don't think you'd be disappointed in HF's scanners.
Not for me. Any scanner I buy now will have bidirectional control.
Bought the base model one to read and clear codes on cars that aren’t mine (have a tuner that does that for mine, plus datalogging, etc). It does what it advertises it will do. No complaints, would recommend for others needing similar functionality.
Some of the Zurich code readers are bidirectional.
I believe the current HF scanners are made by Innova. I have an Innova 5610 which is one below their top of the line tablet and it won't even read why the airbag is on, on a 2008 Ford Focus. If you go to the Innova website under compatibility of this scanner and that car, it says it should read SRS data as well as SRS live data. The 5610 does have some bi-directional controls but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have bought it.
hey thanks for your input.. I did use an Innova back in 2013, but returned it when I could get a much lower price on a scanner from Harbor Freight! I noticed a trend with the newer scanners.. they have two ways to scan.. one is the obd2 standard scan, and the other is going by the manufacturer mode selection. I'm wondering if that's the difference now where it's manufacturer specific SRS data.. I'm not making excuses for a lie that Innova claims it would work for your car when it really doesn't! Just saying I noticed a new trend..
I just got an Autel MaxiLink 629 scanner I'm going to try out, it has the two methods to get the data.. on my 96 civic it will be lucky just to get the obd2 info! lol.. But on my 06 Scion tC I'm hoping it works for the abs/srs and transmission.. we'll see.. but thanks for your input, makes me happy I didn't go with Innova!
And that brings us back to the harbor freight scanners now made by Innova.. guess the only way to truly know is to buy one and try it out.. if it works with the original poster's vehicle. But I think HF charges a restocking fee to return it.. It's why I didn't buy one this time from HF.. got my new one from Amazon.. easier to return if it doesn't work out
I bought their top-of-the line ZR-PRO scanner. No regrets, love the bi-directional control.
The free Car Scanner ELM OBD2 on android with a decent bluetooth obd2 performs ALOT of functions, especially after you select your vehicle. I was able to perform some bi-directional tasks like reset trans adaptive. Not sure what else, haven't tried it on alot of vehicles. But if you're looking at a basic obd2, best to start here.
https://www.carscanner.info/coding/
https://www.carscanner.info/coding/
You are welcome. I know that the 5610 does have OBD2 global and OBD2 manufacturer specific. I found that out when I first got it and decided to scan my 98 chevy truck for the heck of it. I went under OBD2 man. specific and it showed every DTC code that the truck had even though the CEL was not on and I could not erase any of them. Innova told me to go scan another vehicle to remove the codes. That didn't work and I sent the scanner back to them and they said nothing was wrong with it. All of the codes were gone though because they reflashed it or something.
I did not go into OBD 2 specific so you may be right and the SRS info might have been in there. The next time I get to scan the car I will check.
When you can get a scanner that does all subsystems for under $50, why bother?
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002419612264.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002419612264.html
As others said, you can get similar for less elsewhere. I got one at Walmart for $20 that is fine for DIY purposes. If you're a pro, you likely need more than what HF has.
