Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Anything New on the OBD II Scan Tool?

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Well I have to bite the bullet and Fire out some Ca$h for a Scan~Tool. With a 96T-Bird , 98Olds Cutlas , 01 Honda , and the Ram , and the wrx all in the house (Outside looks like a used car-lot) and being I do a good bit of service on the side, I really need to buy a Scan-tool. I am looking for the NON-Laptop units as the research I have done leads me to believe that the software is Vehicle specific. I think I need only Two of the OBDII Communication Protocalls? But anyways what do you all use ... ... Other than Snap~Off Auto X-Ray CTD compatable yet???????

Thanks Guys!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Hmmm

Anyone ... ... Bueler ... ... . Bueler?

#ad

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I thought OBDII compliant meant not vehicle specific???



The laptop versions are all I know about. Ther are a few threads on them.



Later,

Mark

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Well Ya see,

I did my searches and scouted quite a bit and really diddn't find the info I was looking for. For each positive there was a negative (Kind of) I was wondering how the N. W Bombers made out with their laptop unit if it was purchaced. If I remember from the Automotive field there was at the time (1997) three different types of protocalls that were used in communication and Most scanners have two of them as a standard and that is where I was confused a bit as I want a unit that I can use pretty much uniformally across not only the BIG THREE but imports as well.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

the laptop sets are about $150. . really cheap. You won't find dedicated scanners for rates that are anywhere near affordable for us mere mortals.



Especially from Snatch-on. I love their tool but the prices are ridiculous.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Ehhh Alllllriiigght

Welp I did it ... . Bought the OBD II Tricon set for the compaq. I will let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[RAMSTER21]

Where did you buy your Tricon Set and how much and is it a two-way communicator. Meaning can you change or update your PCM. I had to buy a new PCM and need to program it.

 

[jcarey]

Ease and AutoLogic products offer both for laptops and PDA's and contain all OBD II generic data (vehicle specific is extra). I think you may be able to do a PDA cheaper than one or more individual scan tools. Plus the PDA can also be used for routing with mapping software, as a GPS device, and as a set of digital gauges. Hope this helps.



http://www.easediagnostics.com/

http://www.autologicco.com/

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by RAMSTER21

Where did you buy your Tricon Set and how much and is it a two-way communicator. Meaning can you change or update your PCM. I had to buy a new PCM and need to program it.

Well being the thread is an OLDIE I want to say I paid back then 160. 00. No you cannot do any reflasing / programming.



That is why ya need Insight , a 3800 dollar DRBIII scan tool and the dodge / cummins software for the ecm flashover.