Automotive Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner

Posts Tagged ‘elm obd2 software’

What to look for  when buying an OBD II Scanner?

How do I know what to look for before I buy an obd2 scanner? My car is a 2004 model, and most scanner models say anything after 1996 is fine. I don’t know how they work, do they only work if the engine light is on? How much should I be spending for a pretty good one? Any samples/links/model numbers would be helpful before I decide what to buy. Thanks a lot – Martin Stuart

The changeover from OBD1 to OBD2 was in 1996. The government regulated that the cars manufactured after that date will have to be installed with the latest OBD2 management system. A good quality generic scanner starts around $220-$250 and keep on going up in price depending on the extra functions it has. I use a SNAP-ON M.O.D.I.S. in my shop. It ran me down close to $7,000 for the base unit only. I also purchased the extra plugs for the most common vehicles we service for their specific applications. Most code readers will give you the mandatory standardized Generic fault codes, but might not cope well for the other extra Manufacturer Specific fault codes. For normal individuals who just do their own vehicle’s maintenance, and do not depend on this work for a living, any quality brand scanners like the Actron or Equus Innova are there best choice. From there the next choice is if you should go for a simple but quality obd fault code reader with the ability to show up the generic fault codes flagged by the management system with the ability to reset them after the repairs are done, or else take it a step further and invest in the bigger tool, the diagnostic obd scanner. This has all the function of the fault code reader and much more like monitoring individual sensors, freeze capture display when a fault occurs, very handy on intermittent faults, emissions test similar and accurate enough as a smog test station, print facility of the various tests, save test data and various voltage output monitors.

Personally if I was not into this business I’d still probably go for a generic diagnostic obd scanner. You never know what holds in the future, and I do not like it when I find out that my tool is within less limits than I need it to be for the job. So for some hypothetical example, if you have a code reader and you need to do some more deep scan testing for this type of fault, you are now stuck. Your options now are either have the car at a specialist, or else buy an obd diagnostic scanner. And nobody likes buying the same or similar tool twice!

You can have a look at new bargain prices on eBay or Amazon where there is a lot of power-seller competition, so they end up reducing the price as much as they can to capture the most buyers from their competition. Their gain is your gain too in this situation.

AutoTap OBDII Scanner Demo

CarMD 2100 Vehicle Health System and Diagnostic Code Reader for OBDII Vehicles $93.99 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…

OTC Bilingual OBD II Scan Tool, ABS and Airbag (SRS) Code Reader – OTC9450 $121.99 Bilingual OBD II Scan Tool, ABS and Airbag (SRS) Code Reader…

K Tool International 1/4in. Drive Standard 6 Point Socket 11/32in. – KTI21111 $1.46 1/4in. Drive Standard 6 Point Socket 11/32in….

TRENDnet USB to RS-232 Serial Converter TU-S9 (White) $9.06 Connect a RS-232 serial device such as a modem to a USB portEasy installation with universal plug-and-playSupports multiple operating systems USB 1.1 pliantSupports RS-232 serial interfaceSupports up to 500kbps data transfer rateDetects USB suspend conditionWindows and Mac pliantInstall as a standard Windows COM port full RS-232 modem control signals RS-232 data signals; TxD RxD RTS CTS DSR DTR DC…

Hewlett Packard Laserjet CE866A Wireless Color Printer with Scanner and Copier $455.00 The HP Pro 100 CE866A LaserJet Multifunction Color Printer is Ideal for home office and small-business customers who want a low-priced, compact color laser MFP, wireless and Ethernet connectivity, mobile printing options, and features that help conserve energy. The HP Pro 100 CE866A LaserJet Multifunction Color Printer Produce professional-quality, and easily prints, scans and copies, using HP’s s…

Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles $17.99 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)…

Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner $11.31 * Works with all OBD-II compliant vehicles * Wireless (Bluetooth) * Software included for Windows PC * Software included for Windows Smartphone * ISO15765-4 (CAN) * ISO14230-4 (KWP2000) * ISO9141-2 * J1850 VPW * J1850 PWM Note: pls be sure that your car compatible with these agreement before you buy Functions: * Read diagnostic trouble codes, both generic and manufacturer-specific, and dis…

BAFX Brand – ELM327 BLUETOOTH – OBDII OBD2 DIAGNOSTIC SCANNER – CAN ELM 327 SCANTOOL – CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAR CODE READER $23.99 Features The program lets you perform the following operations: ?Read diagnostic trouble codes, both generic and manufacturer-specific , and display their meaning (over 3000 generic code definitions in the database). ?Clear trouble codes and turn off the MIL (“Check Engine” light) ?Display current sensor data, including: Engine RPM Calculated Load Value Coolant Temperature Fuel S…

Total OBD & ECU Auto Diagnostics Software $197.00 Quickly, Easily and Safely Communicate With Your Car’s OBD I & II System and Tune or Remap It’s ECU Chip – Just Like the $150/h Professional Mechanics Would Do… =========== ABOUT: =========== TOTAL OBD & ECU Auto Diagnostics(TM) is a DVD that’s jam-packed with dozens of the most advanced, comprehensive and powerful “car-manufacturer-approved” OBD software applications that’ll let you diagnose …

ELM 327 USB CAN-BUS Automotive Vehicle Car Diagnostic Interface Code Scanner ELM327 OBD-II OBD2 $18.30 Description: This program is very user-friendly, and easy to learn. Allows you to use your PC and a hardware interface to get the information from your car’s computer. It is also very easy to install: simply extract the files into a folder on your computer’s hard drive, and you’re ready to go. To uninstall the program, simply delete the entire contents of the folder where the program resides. Soft…