OBD-2 or can bus for a 2008

[Jim W]

Hi guys, need help!!

I have search the form (may not have asked the correct question) but I am looking for information on a hand held OBD-2 or Can Bus tool. I do not want the version that uses a lap top. This has to be compatible with a 2008 Dodge Diesel 6 sp auto. I just want to be able to read and reset the MIL or check engine light. I have found some on e-bay for $70 to $100 but I do not know if they will work on the Dodge Diesel. I have read some were that the Dodge uses a different protocol, one that is compliant to europe union protocol. Any suggestions on what one to get???

I have had two Check engine lights in the last two weeks, no codes could be found and the Check Engine light turns off after a day or two. The weather is turning cold and this is the first time that this has shown up. I do not want to run to the dealer every time the light comes on not very practical.

Truck runs great and I average 12 . 5 MPG in town and highway, mostly in town. I have put on my cold weather front but this was after the two MIL came on.

Thanks

 

[Simplysmn]

I have a OBD -2 reader that I bought at pep boy's and it work's fine on my 08 I have had the reader for over 3 yr's now. I believe all the OBD-2 reader's will work

 

[Bob4x4]

Nope... ... ... . not all obd2 scanners will do Can bus.



Bob

 

[Simplysmn]

Nope... ... ... . not all obd2 scanners will do Can bus.



Bob

Hey Bob doesn't our truck's have the OBD-2 connector under dash only ?

I am new to the electronic's side of theses thing's

 

[Bob4x4]

Yes it is an obd2 connector,some of the pins are mandated by federal law others are optional for the mfg to decde. There are a few different protocols that are used with the obd2 conector. in 06 our trucks went Can bus . The can bus is faster and can carry more modules on it than our earlier CCD bus system.





Bob

 

[AllianceDiesel]

obd2 is onboad diagnostics, that is a genral thing all car companies use.



06 and newer use can bus system to communicate thus needing a star scan tool, the older systems used ccd data bus (Chrysler Collision Detection) and used drb3

 

[AllianceDiesel]

oops bob you beat me guess I was too slow, was gonna get the descriptions from dealerconnect but I feel too lazy right now.



by the way if there is a check engine light there has to be a code stored, government law, if the problem isn't seen after so many trips, then the light will go off but there still has to be a code there and can only be cleared by a scan tool and can't be cleared by unhooking the batteries.

 

[DieselLady]

Amazon.com: Equus 3100 Innova CanOBD2 Diagnostic Tool: Automotive



Here is a link to a pretty affordable scanner that will read CAN bus information and OBD2. If you are only going to read and clear codes you don't need the more expensive one, although it is only around $150 for that. Yes it can read CAN bus including Ford which has a difficult protocal that not all scanners could read when it first came out.

There are some codes that can't be cleared by this, but those are usually active codes and need to be cleared by resetting the default parameters in the computer by the Star Scanner. But unless you are removing emissions or have a hard fault, which you will usually know by the performance issues you would be having, you won't need that.

I use this scanner a lot and carry it with me on the road and have used it on my new 6. 7 as well.

Good luck.

 

[Jim W]

Thanks that is what I was looking for. Thanks again.

 

[Bob4x4]

A lil heads up no scanner can clear active codes. The issue must be repaired which will make it step down to stored then it can be cleared.



Bob

 

[DieselLady]

A lil heads up no scanner can clear active codes. The issue must be repaired which will make it step down to stored then it can be cleared.

Bob

Ya, but on the 6. 7 if you have a code that the computer thinks is active, it may need to be reset to default. The new trucks are adaptive. For instance, I decided to straight pipe mine to see what would happen. "long time ago". When I decided to put the DPF back on and take it in for the G 30 recall, I cleared all but 2 codes. These codes were actually in there because the computer "assumed" that the DPF was full, because when it can't regen for a certain period of time it assumes that it is clogged and sets a code for it. From then on it will set a clogged DPF code when it sees no back pressure. The only way to clear it is to make the computer start from scratch again. Or reset the default settings. Even though the condition has not changed, the computer thinks it has so it clears the codes. So it really ISN"T an active code. See what I mean?

 

[Bob4x4]

It all depends on what conditions need to exist for the monitor to run that sets the code. The 6. 7 is indeed a different breed. As of now Cali is still free from smog inspections but I think we all know it's coming. 2010 the lighter diesels get hit and I will bet it won't take much to up the weight class to include us :{



Bob

 

[DieselLady]

It all depends on what conditions need to exist for the monitor to run that sets the code. The 6. 7 is indeed a different breed. As of now Cali is still free from smog inspections but I think we all know it's coming. 2010 the lighter diesels get hit and I will bet it won't take much to up the weight class to include us :{



Bob

Just got back from SEMA, and you can bet that 2010 you will see our trucks included in the smog inspections nationwide. At least that is what the EPA was saying. They are not happy with the deletes at all. #@$%!