Which Scanner?

[Johnstra]

I'm thinking of buying a scanner for diagnostic purposes. I'd like to be able to kill individual injectors, etc. I've done a few searches but I can't find any information on what is a good scanner to buy.



Anybody have one? Recommendations?



Thanks,

-john

 

[WKruger]

Star Scan is the only one I can think of.

 

[KWilkinson]

I agree for Star scan if your only planning on diagnostics for your vehicle, but it is pricey. OTC has a good scanner too if you are looking for a generic scanner

 

[Johnstra]

Whoa! Didnt' know they cost that much. I'll just take it to the dealer.

Thanks,

-john

 

[rbattelle]

Whoa! Didnt' know they cost that much. I'll just take it to the dealer.

This is one of the things that really bothers me about the TIPM on late model trucks - almost no way to do electrical diagnostics without a DRB-III or Starscan.

Wait... you have a 2003. Yeah, you can't shut down individual injectors by software without a Starscan, but you sure can unplug them!

Ryan

 

[Johnstra]

I can shut down 2 at a time by unplugging, but I can't do them singly. I guess I can pull the valve cover and disconnect each injector but I'm not comfortable with that.



Am I missing something?



-john

 

[rbattelle]

I can shut down 2 at a time by unplugging, but I can't do them singly. I guess I can pull the valve cover and disconnect each injector but I'm not comfortable with that.

That's true. How often do you think you'll need to do an injector kill test?



Ryan

 

[WKruger]

Be nice to do an efficiency test or diagnose problems yourself and save $60/hr. Have it payed for in about 80 hrs.

 

[Johnstra]

Not often, hopefully.



Since I bought my truck it's had a bit more of an idle knock than I'm comfortable with and a bit of a shake at idle as well. It runs good, gets great mileage, and starts fine, but I'd like to smoothe out the idle if I can.



I've changed the FCA and it made no difference. I'm not about to replace or try to repair all the injectors because the truck runs great, but if I can nail down which injector is the culprit (if it is an injector), I'd replace it.



So being able to shut down injectors one at a time would be nice.



-john

 

[Matt400]

Check with your local Snap-On tool dealer for an MT2500 or MTG2500 scanner with 2005 or newer domestic "reprogrammable" software.



I had the MTG2500 and remember back in 05 when I updated software they added in injector kill for the HPCR engine. Many techs have traded up over the years for more capable scanners, I was one of them so good used units come up on the tool trucks from time to time. It is a very good scanner.



You can find them on ebay but you need to make sure the cartridge is 05 or newer and black in color, not the older red ones. In addition I am uncertain if an older scanner will run newer software so buying from the tool truck will at least give you some piece of mind to run down the menu to make sure injector kill is there for your needs.