Posts Tagged ‘diagnostics’
Buying A Good OBD Autoscanner
July 17th, 2010 | 
Author: What To Look For When Buying A Diagnostic Autoscanner
First of all, my background is as an electronics technician and engineer. I have designed electronic control circuitry for textile mills that used the same principles found in automotive computers. I got fascinated by automotive computers when my local dealership was unable to fix a problem that caused the check engine light to repeatedly come on.
Before buying a scanner, I read everything I could get my hands on, about automotive computers and looked very closely at the different scanner choices available.
Nothing prepared me for what this scanner actually does. The main 3 automotive manufacturers all build some diagnostics into their computers.
This scanner will let you take advantage of any other on-board diagnostics that exists. If you own a Ford product, the on-board computer and this scanner will perform a very impressive range of diagnostics that nobody else has mentioned in their reviews, and product descriptions don’t describe, such as a ‘wiggle test’ to see if you have a bad connector between a sensor and the on-board computer, checking the spark plugs and spark plug wires and overall cylinder performance. It will activate individual solenoids, to diagnose that kind of problems. It will help diagnose air conditioning problems, overloading of the transmission, and many other situations that were much more than I was led to expect by reading the product descriptions and reviews. I must make it clear that Ford products seem to be the only ones listed as having such a wide range of diagnostics, although GM and Chrysler additional diagnostics were described. This Scanner seems to be able to work with whatever diagnostics are available.
I had planned to connect it to each of my vehicles and take sensor readings before I had problems, to help me spot anything out of range when a problem occurred. It turns out that I didn’t need to. It already has normal ranges for just about any make and model of car or light truck, including Asian or European.
I was blown away. Tell this scanner what make and model you are connecting it to, and already has a wide library of information available to compare with what you are seeing, tell you if anything is out of range, and make use of whatever on-board computer diagnostics are available.
Finally, the Amazon price seems to be the low price anywhere. You can easily pay $400 for this scanner, elsewhere. Also, I compared it with the Snap On $800 shop scanner and the only thing the Snap On does, which this doesn’t, is display very specific diagnostic steps necessary to pinpoint problems. That, however, is the same information you can get from other places, and much of it is for free.
This is an excellent choice for anyone.
By M. Pitoniak
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CarMD 2100 Vehicle Health System and Diagnostic Code Reader for OBDII Vehicles $99.99 This product offers peace of mind for anyone who has ever worried about car maintenance and repairs. The easy-to-use device, which fits inside a purse or glove compartment, empowers drivers to monitor their vehicles health. The CarMD tool can be used to quick-check an unlimited number of vehicles. Within seconds, its color-coded (green, yellow, red) vehicle health monitor LED’s tell you if your ve… |
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MaxiScan MS509 OBD2 Scanner Code Reader Live Data $66.56 introduce: 1.Large easy-to-read backlit LCD screen. 2.Displays DTC definitions onscreen. 3.Displays monitor & I/M readiness status (emissions). 4.Bilingual interface & definitions-English/Spanish. 5.Performs modules present test. 6.Retrieves vehicle information (VIN, CID and CVN).Supports CAN (Controller Area Network).all other current OBD2 protocols. Vehicle Covered: |
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EQUUS 3140 INNOVA® 3140 Pro Scan Tool – CanOBD 2&1 Kit $219.00 EQUUS 3140 INNOVA® 3140 Pro Scan Tool – CanOBD 2&1 Kit… |
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OBD-2 Automotive Repair Strategies $2.99 … |
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OBD-2 Automotive Repair Strategies $1.99 … |
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It’s a 10 Miracle Hair Mask – 8 oz $22.82 Energize your locks to a gorgeous new you using the miracle hair mask product.Hair product repairs dry, damaged hair adding shine and silkiness to your tresses. Enhance your personal care with this elite hair mask creation…. |
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CAN OBD II Code Reader/ EOBD Scanner $179.99 CAN OBD II Code Reader/ EOBD Scanner shows you what’s wrong with your vehicle Now you can find out what’s wrong with your car…no need to go to a dealer or repair shop. This CAN OBD II Code Reader/ EOBD Scanner “reads” your car’s computer to tell you what the issues are. Your vehicle’s OBD II system monitors emission control systems and key engine components by performing either continuous or p… |
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Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles $19.00 Display: Backlit LCD, 2-line, 8 characters Operating Temperature: 0 to 50 C (32 to 122 F) Storage Temperature: -20 to 70 C (-4 to 158 F) Power: 10.0 to 15.5 Volts provided via vehicle battery Dimensions: Length Width Height 113 mm ( 4.4″) ???74 mm ( 2.9″) 21mm (0.83″) NW: 0.25 Kg(0.45lb), GW: 0.27Kg(0.50lb)… |
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ElmScan 5 Compact USB OBD-II Scan Tool & OBDWiz Engine Diagnostic Software (423001) $29.95 ElmScan 5 is the original best-selling ELM327-based scan tool, and is the perfect entry-level scan tool for the budget-minded do-it-yourself mechanic. ElmScan 5 Compact lets you turn your computer into a sophisticated diagnostic system. The scan tool is a breeze to install and configure, and provides a lot more information about your vehicle, than a handheld scan tool. It is fully … |
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OBD-II & Electronic Engine Management Systems Techbook (Haynes Techbook) $15.97 This Haynes Techbook manual introduces the DIYer to OBD-II: what it is, what it isn’t, and how it works. Includes information on basic troubleshooting, computer controlled systems, OBD-II monitors, trouble code retrieval, diagnostic routines and component replacement procedures. Haynes Techbook Manuals is a series of comprehensive manuals gives the home mechanic an in-depth look at specific area… |
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