2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ODBii Scanner Best & Cheapest

[DieselMinded]

Anyone know ???? Im thinking about picking up a scanner I thought I seen where JC Whitney had them for less than $100 ... . Where is the best cheapest Scan tool avalible right now ??



Thanks Guys



DM

 

[Allnew2Me]

I bought one not too long ago and it already has paid for itself. The less expensive ones only give a code and you have to look it up in a book or on a CD, the better ones tell you the code and what it is. I bought the Actron CP9135 and it works great. You can erase the codes and test a lot of other functions like smogtest readiness for gassers. the really expensive scanners take a snapshot of all the engine functions when the MIL light came on right down to what gear you were in, pretty amazing if you need all that. I have found that with playing with my truck I have had a few times when the MIL light came on because of my fooling around and it is great to know what it is and to be able to claer the code after I have fixed it. I don't remember where I bought mine but here is a place to start. http://www.autobarn.net/obdiiau.html

 

[DieselMinded]

Thank You



That one there looks pretty sharp to me



I may get that one



Anyone else have one that can give me there opinions ???



Thanks



DM

 

[esamuelson]

I too am looking for a scanner. My question is the one Allnew2Me suggested is that it states it reads all "generic codes"? What are generic codes and will I not be able to read some others? The next model up says the same but lets you test certain functions and read live data. Let me know what you guys have used and found.

 

[DieselMinded]

Actron OBD II AutoScanner CP9135



$139. 95 at Auto Barn



$159. 99 at JC whitney



Here it is for $100



http://tradervar.zoovy.com/product/CP9135?META=yshop-CP9135



would you trust these people ?



DM

 

[Nate]

Snap On makes a real nice scanner. MT2500



I've seen them on ebay for $400-500. You can even turn the headlights on with this thing... all sorts of other crazy features.

 

[DieselMinded]

That $100 Price is a good one looky here its there Ebay store with 99% positive feedback



http://stores.ebay.com/Tradervars-Auto-Testing-Center_W0QQssPageNameZviQ3asibQ3astoreviewQQtZkm



DM

 

[DieselMinded]

Ill be out of town for a few days and my CEL is on again so I went ahead and ordered this thing got it out the door for Grand Total: $113. 94



Here



www.tradervar.com



Thanks guys ... I was sort of in a hurry :-laf



DM



Features



* Retrieves and clears all generic OBD II diagnostic codes.

* Compatible with all 1996 and newer OBD II compliant vehicles: North American, Asian & European.

* Supports HBCC, DLCP and ISO communications systems.

* Codes are shown on a 4-digit LED display.

* Code definitions are listed in the instruction manual.

* Separate function keys for Read Codes, Erase Codes and Scroll Codes.

* Attached J1962 diagnostic cable provides both data and power connections.

* Read and erase (reset) DTC'S

* Read pending codes I/Mmonitors MIL Status

* Trouble code definitions displayed on screen

* Menu driven large LCD display

* Field upgradeable

* Free CD Included

* !!! USER SUPPORT !!!

* Comprehensive owner's manual

* Toll-Free Technical Hotline and E-mail with ASE Certified Technicians

* Yearly firmware updates via user-replaceable chip.

* 1 year warranty.

* Made in U. S. A

 

[StephenDelany]

Oo. Bad Case of Wallet Itch!!

That CP9135 looks like a fantastic tool to have in the box. Is there any real need for us to be able to see streaming data from the senders other than the "I'm a truck-loving geek" factor? The suggested full-blown OBD II for $314. 00 is getting up there, but if there is usable, actionable data maybe it's worth it.

Somebody who is a trained technician please give me your feelings on this one.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

OTHER than the ability to actually CLEAR codes, what will a reader like that do for a user in terms of info that the dash panel readout already provides?

 

[RAJohnson]

I picked up a Superchips with the OBDII scanner for $150. 00 off of Ebay, and it was not VIN locked. I don't use it for the claimed HP it can add because I have the Comp. But it works great to retrieve and erase codes.

 

[Allnew2Me]

Hey Diesel Tradvar is where I got mine I forgot that thanks. I'm not sure what generic codes are, I looked in the manual and didn't see it. It reads MIL codes that are codes that turn on the MIL light and also pending codes. They are codes that are in the computer but have not occurred often enough to actually turn on the MIL light but may if they repeat, nice to see if anything is lurking there. The expensive scanners that read live data are cool, I've played with them, you can see every function as you drive the truck, temps, rpms, about 100 different functions. I suppose if you had a recurring problem it would help but the price was more than I wanted to spend. The snapshot function is nice also but again, it costs more. Gary, yes it can clear the code which is a nice function and well worth the price for that alone I feel. And the nice thing is that it tells you what the code is and also what it means, preventing the kind of post here that says my truck has this code, what is it? It is also nice to be able to scan a gasser for smog test readiness. Some sensors have to display “PASS” for a test here in California and it will check them for you. And it will give you the status of your MIL light, telling you if it should be on or off with the engine running or not, it tests the system. It also reads those pending codes that may be a sign of something coming but have not yet set a visible code, kind of like hidden codes. I bought it initially because the MIL light came on on my wife’s' car and it turned out to be a loose gas cap, something I would never have figured and the light won't reset until something like 40 drive cycles. I used it when I bought my truck to see if there were any codes before I bought it. What I liked about this model is that it is also upgradeable if codes change in the future. There are certainly a lot of them out there, I just happened to like this one for function and price and it has turned out to be a good tool. If you are fooling with the truck under the hood it is nice to be able to clear a code from forgetting to plug in the APPS. Not that I have done that! :-laf I see it as another necessary tool because so many of our trucks systems can have a burp and if you don’t know what it is you are kind of stuck. If it turns out to be something you can fix, you can clear it and move on instead of wondering if that light is on because of what you fixed or if it is something else. Or you can always take it to a dealer or an auto repair shop and let them do it.

 

[DieselMinded]

Allnew2Me, Thanks and thats the same reasoning I have for needing one ... Right now advanced auto has the exact same scanner for $99 ... . if anyone is interested



DM

 

[Allnew2Me]

Diesel you are very welcome. I think I paid more than that a year or so ago so that isn't bad. You will find yourself checking your truck just because you can! Have fun

 

[Allnew2Me]

Gee lucky me! Just tonight my reader paid for itself again with a check engine light on my wifes' van. It was a misfire on cylinder #6. now I get to try to figure out what is causing that! If I had not had my OBD reader I would be just guessing.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Gee lucky me! Just tonight my reader paid for itself again with a check engine light on my wifes' van. It was a misfire on cylinder #6. now I get to try to figure out what is causing that! If I had not had my OBD reader I would be just guessing.

You're STILL guessing, if you don't know WHY it's misfiring! :-laf :-laf



Bad coil?

bad wires?

bad rings?

Bad plug?

Bad valves?

Bad headgasket?



See what I mean?



I like these fancy electronic gadgets - but sometimes they leave as many unanswered questions as they answer...



But yeah, it's a starting point...

 

[Allnew2Me]

Gary, yes i'm still guessing, it did this about a month ago and it was #4 and now it is #6 so i'm guessing something electric. oh the fun!

 

[DieselMinded]

I used mine on 3 vehicals already ... . and was able to see what was wrong and get steared in the right direction of fixxing them ... a guys truck at work had a mass air code and the driver told me he just changed his sencor ..... Wifes TOY got a clean bill of heath THEM DARN TOYOTAS YOU CANT KILL THEM !!!!... . LOL ... My CEL was off but i had 2 intake heater codes ,,,, I checked my daiode for my remote start and it was just about to fall out . .



Thanks Allnew2Me I like this thing !



DM

 

[rivercat]

I would like to point out that there is a diffrence in a "scanner" and a "code reader". A code reader just pulls codes and has the ability to erase them. A scanner has live data readings as well as the ability to record on some.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

I just bought the Actron CP9145, like the 9135, but has the options for OBDI and is upgradeable for CAN. It will also read PID's(live data). I gave about 200 bucks for it on Amazon.



I haven't got to use it on a 24v yet, it doesn't show a whole lot on the 12v, just water temp/rpm/%load/vehicle speed etc...



Here is my "trained technician" viewpoint in live data; it helps in verifying accuracy of dash guages and also gives a more precise reading. Say if the water temp guage is between 140deg and 190deg, you cannot tell exactly what it is from the dash guage. It also helps in trouble shooting problems on certain sensors etc... It does have a coolness factor to it though; don't it Hope this helps



Here it ishttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...ncoding=UTF8&n=14023931&s=automotive&v=glance

Steven