automotive code reader

i don't know what these things are really called, but i want one and was wondering if you guys new of a place i could get one for cheap, but one that works.

You mean a datalogger?

Do you want something just to read codes, or a whole diagnostic tool? In the 2g you can read the code right from the drivers seat with the CEL. A diagnostic tool will probably run you way more than $1000.

nope, just want something that reads codes

I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND THEY CHECK MY CAR WITH A OBDII SCANTOOL FOR FREE I BELIVE THEY USE THIS SCANER IS ONLY 99.99 + TAX http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EScanners+%26+Testers%7C%7ENON E%7C%7EActron++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++OBD+II+ Autoscanner%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E3 47020%7C%7E2817%7C%7ECP9135%7C%7EFor+OBD+II+Compli ant+Cars+And+Light+Trucks+Sold+In+The+U.S.+From+19 96+To+Pr%7C%7E%2499.99%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENO NE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E1.45%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EB%7C%7EACM%7 C%7Etrue

Pedro, don't type in all caps.

Violent, you know that you can get codes without a scan tool right?

no i don't, how?

Ok, nevermind it's only on 2gnt's that you can read the codes without a scan tool.

Ok, nevermind it's only on 2gnt's that you can read the codes without a scan tool.



how do you do it on them?

you have two cheap options, a you can buy a cheap code reader for ~$100 or be you could buy a logger for ~$150

Keep in mind that all a code reader does is give you a place to start looking for a problem. If it says "o2 sensor circuit problem", it doesn't necasarily mean the sensor is bad, it could be wiring, or possibly a bad catalytic converter. I think some of these will only work on some makes and models (due to manufacturer specific codes).

You can get scan tool (OTC Genisys, Snap-on MODIS, etc.) for anywhere from $5000-8000. But those will read codes, work as a DMM, work as an oscilloscope, tell you current operating conditions, tell you operating conditions at the time the code was set, perform component tests; there are so many things these can do. These will work on almost every make and model out there.

Either of these tools will only work on post '96, for '95 and earlier you would need to retrieve flash codes.

If you don't have a good understanding of OBD2 and the wiring of modern cars, just do yourself and your car a favor and take it to the dealership.

Keep in mind that all a code reader does is give you a place to start looking for a problem. If it says "o2 sensor circuit problem", it doesn't necasarily mean the sensor is bad, it could be wiring, or possibly a bad catalytic converter. I think some of these will only work on some makes and models (due to manufacturer specific codes).

You can get scan tool (OTC Genisys, Snap-on MODIS, etc.) for anywhere from $5000-8000. But those will read codes, work as a DMM, work as an oscilloscope, tell you current operating conditions, tell you operating conditions at the time the code was set, perform component tests; there are so many things these can do. These will work on almost every make and model out there.

Either of these tools will only work on post '96, for '95 and earlier you would need to retrieve flash codes.

If you don't have a good understanding of OBD2 and the wiring of modern cars, just do yourself and your car a favor and take it to the dealership.
no one outside of a shop need a genisys or modis, I use both on a daily basis and yes they are nice but they are way over kill. Both of those scan tools have connectors for obdI as well and half of 95s are obdII anyway. Taking your car to a dealer is not doing yourself a favor when it costs $90+ just to read one code.

I agree with you about all of that, but I've never scanned an OBD1 car so I didn't know about the connectors for those.

basically the same thing as obdII just with a different connector. All 2g dsms are obdII though

Ok. There may even be a fair amount of OBD2 cars from '94 in california (being from Minnesota originally I couldn't tell you for sure), considering that is where it all started.

This is a little off-topic, but have you heard about OBD3?

Nope, never hear of obdIII.
What part of mn are you from?

Gibbon, it's about 45 minutes northwest of Mankato. Very small town, 800 people.

If you are curious about OBD3, click here www.myspace.com/apathetic_bert (http://www.myspace.com/apathetic_bert) and click on my blog "1984 is coming".

I have a hard time believing that considering a. obdII is working great and b. the cost to do that would be counterproductive. To me it sounds like a consipricy theory. by the way I live in austin mn so not to far away

Well you know how things are these days, people are real big on saving the environment. I heard it from industry insiders, so I'm not sure what to think. I just hope it doesn't happen.

I go to school with a guy who's from Austin (I'm pretty sure he's from Austin anyways).

Where do you go to school? Yeah, I'm taking autotech and I've never heard anything about obdIII and to me it just doesnt seem like its going to happen. and even if it does we all drive 90-99 vehicles anyway:lol:

I'm going to WyoTech. I don't know whether it will happen or not, I just hope it doesn't. More than one of my instructors has mentioned it, so again, I really don't know what to think.

I have some firends that go there. Do you know the guys name from austin?

jeremy hegle is the only one i know of from austin.

I have read about that obd3 mess before on a datalogger website. It basically said the same thing as your blog. I'm kinda skeptical that this would go into effect, but if it does, I'm sure us DSMers could bypass it some how. :grinno:

wouldnt even effect us usless we bought new cars. We would be grandfathered in.

wow, this thread got "hoping" while i was gone. Well nothing is even wrong with my car i just thought it would be kinda nice to have one, and i didn't really know how much they ran for.

thx guys

it is nice, thats why I keep my logger in my car at all times

I'm sure anyone that knows what they are doing could modify the OBD3 system to transmit acceptable signals. Also, they can't force people to put the system onto older cars for financial reasons and because of the Ex Post Facto law (same law that says you don't need seatbelts in older cars). What worries me about is the fact that it would basically be giving the government to watch our every move; I like freedom and don't need it to be infringed upon by the gov't anymore.

Thats why I said all vehicles made pryor to this obdIII crap will be grandfathered in, just like on pre '80s cars you dont need a seatbelt because they are grandfathered in.

how do you do it on them?

I haven't done it in awhile and this is just off of memory so don't quote me on this but I think it's something like....

Start with the key in the off position. Turn it on, off, on, off, and on again within 5 seconds. The CEL light will then come on and it has a certain number of flashes per code. Say it flashes twice quickly, pauses and then another four times quickly, that give you code 24. Then you cross reference that in the owners manual (I think it's in the owners manual) and that gives you the code than any code reader will give you.

It's a pretty cool system and has saved me lots of time before caues you don't have to take it somewhere to get the codes read.

oh yeah, i've heard of that...that doesn't work on eclipse's though?

It works on the 2g n/t, I don't think it works on the 2g turbo but I'm not positive. Try it out.

Doesnt work on turbos.

sounds good thx!