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Hello,
I’ve got two vehicles, one is OBDI and the other is OBDII. Over the past few years, I’ve put quite a bit of thought into buying a code reader/diagnostic tool, but I know next to nothing about them. Some of the issues I’m facing are whether to shell out some big money and get one code reader that will service both, or to just get and OBDII reader and keep figuring out my OBDI issues the old fashioned way. Furthermore, I think you have to buy software loads for different types of vehicle with OBDII scanners, but again I’m not sure. Lastly, I don’t know what options there are for the diagnostic portions of these machines. The other day I was at my mechanic’s shop and he had an uber fancy Snap-On Blutooth job that could activate individual systems to test them.
So in short, I was wondering if a video explaining how to choose a scanner or diagnostic tool might be possible, or just something to explain a little more about how they work and what options are available.
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If you don’t understand what the scan tool is telling you there is No sense spending BIG dollars on it. If you’re a technician and have gone to school and understand the science, chemistry and physics of the automobile then spend whatever amount you need to, to diagnose and repair your car.
There are dozens of brands of scan tools out there that will connect to both OBD 1 and OBD 11 cars. Some are brand specific and may be found used on E-Bay etc.
E.G. Tech 11 for G.M., Star tester for Ford, DRB for Chrysler. For anything newer there are newer types.
I’ve been working on cars for 15 years or so, but never as a bona fide mechanic. The OBDI vehicle in question was a truck that I bought for $10 6 years and 70k miles ago, and there are very few systems left that I haven’t overhauled. While working as an auto damage adjuster for one of the big name insurance companies I got some professional training, but nothing too extensive. The point of the matter is that I have a fair amount of experience, and I can download and look up codes from the scanners to extract information. I’d also like some diagnostic functionality, but I don’t know how that varies from make to make, model to model, scanner to scanner.
As you stated above, there are dozens of OBDI/II scanners on the market. Without having used any of them, I don’t know what to buy that’s going to suit my needs. I’m trying to get into a scanner that’s going to be useful at my level, and that’s my question here.
Didn’t mean to come across rude but everyone has their own ability. I did a little checking around for you and on E-Bay there are several generic OBD 11 scanners there at different prices. I think you would need one that reads data as well as codes. Actron and Autel are good brands but you should look yourself to find one in your price range.
Amazon may also have what you need.
Thanks for the info. I’d kind of expected that they all read data and codes, but I’ll be sure to check into that the next time I look at them – so thanks for pointing that out to me. My OBDII vehicle is a 2004 Mustang GT, 4.6L SOHC, 5 speed. Obviously I don’t need a scanner for shift points, and it doesn’t have variable timing so there are a lot of things I don’t have to wonder about. There have been a number of times when I got to one or another “black box” under the hood and couldn’t tell what was going on. Once was with the CCRM in the cooling system and another was with the PCV valve. If I could scan the PCM, or test circuitry through the PCM with a scanner, this would be a big asset to me. I’ve been on Amazon but without actually hooking up the scanner I can’t tell what options it’s going to give me toward that end. I don’t really want to throw $200-$300 at a good scanner without some idea that it’s going to do what I want it to do.
I don’t think there is anything available that does both OBDI and OBDII. Mainly because with OBDI it was all over the place and there were no set standards, so every manufacturer did things their own way. It’s one of the main reasons that OBDII came about in the first place. That said, I get asked about this a LOT which means that I will defiantly look into doing a video on the topic. I’ll need some time to do some research however.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Looking forward to any information you think might be pertinent for us. It’s an idea I’ve been looking for help with for awhile now.
It is a popular topic that I get asked about quite a bit. It’s been a very long time since I went shopping for a scan tool, so I think it would be best if I did some research on what’s out there before I commit to a video on the topic.
Thanks again for the suggestion.
Hi Eric,
Love your channels on YouTube.
Just a suggestion I thought might be a cool video (or two, or three) – I see you have done quite a few videos on brakes (drums, discs, pad changes, etc…) – How about Master Cylinders and bleeding them (bench bleeding, etc) – the different types (single piston, twin piston) as that is something we are currently studying at TAFE (college) here in Australia. Maybe even a video on brake boosters as well?
I’ve managed to even suggest a few of your videos for classroom use as well!
Anyways mate – keep up the great work – looking forward to some Fairmont vids this year!
Take Care, Stay Dirty! 😉
JD 😉
[quote=”JawDroppin” post=85394]Hi Eric,
Love your channels on YouTube.
Just a suggestion I thought might be a cool video (or two, or three) – I see you have done quite a few videos on brakes (drums, discs, pad changes, etc…) – How about Master Cylinders and bleeding them (bench bleeding, etc) – the different types (single piston, twin piston) as that is something we are currently studying at TAFE (college) here in Australia. Maybe even a video on brake boosters as well?
I’ve managed to even suggest a few of your videos for classroom use as well!
Anyways mate – keep up the great work – looking forward to some Fairmont vids this year!
Take Care, Stay Dirty! 😉
JD ;)[/quote]
Thanks for the suggestion. It would be better if you started a new thread for new suggestions however.
http://www.canobd2.com/en-US/Product/FullDetail/fcbcaa06-534c-4959-8b77-b98ca3744e39
$129 at amazon – http://www.amazon.com/INNOVA-3120-Diagnostic-Reader-Vehicles/dp/B000KID2ZC/
Read the fine print however as to which ODB-I vehicles and years. There ARE a few combo readers out there, but they are limited.
Thank you for the video with Scanner Danner. That answered so many of the questions I had. As I said before, I’d run into some of the issues you raised in your video while considering different models – OBDI/II, code readers only or ones that include live data and bi-directional capability. I’m still not sure what I need, but you’ve given me information that I can use to research models and make an educated decision. Thanks again.
I’m glad to hear the video helped you. Paul and I had a great time making it. Good luck with your search. BTW I have a couple more scan tool reviews coming up that might be options for you.
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