Engine analyzer suggestions

[jcc3inc]

Good afternoon,

I would like to buy my own readout device to see all the error codes etc since I likely will have the current type car ('97 LeSabre or newer). Do I understand that they can also reset the error codes? And, can one also monitor the TPS voltage and other variables in the system?

What make of analyzer would you users suggest? And are there any things that I should watch out for?

Thanks in advance,
Jack C.

[maxwedge]

Basic unit like the Actron 9145 is ok, but still has limited PID's, google obd 11 scanners there are plenty out there.

[big white bufflo]

i have a actron 9185 has capability of obd1 and 2 can reset eng lights and live data love it ez to use best price i found is here in mich

[thisnametooktolong]

I have the same scanner as you do (9185) three problems 1> you have to buy all but the standard OBDII plugs separate (well worth the extra cash of the 9190 that comes with most of them) My software is the latest and greatest but it is not exactly the best with CAN compliant cars peripheral devices but is fine with reading scanning and graphing engine stuff. 3 although the software does actually define the pending and stored trouble codes it does not identify what the special/ live tests actually go to. That means that you have to look up the test that you need to perform on line (tuff some times)

All record functions are great as long as you don’t try to shotgun record for review later on a laptop or computer. Record all 100-120 pids at the same time gives you a record time of a few seconds. The snap shot mode is handy

One more thing that sucks, the backlight does not function unless you are jacked into a obd II or use the lighter adapter on OBD I.

Besides that it is funny how much extra time I spent with a code reader. Then there are things that I did not even think of……. Dashboard takes a dump. No problem just custom list and monitor oil pressure, water temp, RPM, and MPH but the back light is a little much at night.

How about this silly one. Have an old G tech HP and ET timer, like to make a graph of HP and torque? Just strap a camcorder to the head rest, duct tape the scanner to the dash set to graph RPM next to the Gtech and bingo HP= (RPM* torque)/5252. See if that silly 300-dollar exhaust was worth it…. NOPE

it reads everything that you will come accross 1984 to present

[thisnametooktolong]

I have the same scanner as you do (9185) three problems 1> you have to buy all but the standard OBDII plugs separate (well worth the extra cash of the 9190 that comes with most of them) My software is the latest and greatest but it is not exactly the best with CAN compliant cars peripheral devices but is fine with reading scanning and graphing engine stuff. 3 although the software does actually define the pending and stored trouble codes it does not identify what the special/ live tests actually go to. That means that you have to look up the test that you need to perform on line (tuff some times)

All record functions are great as long as you don’t try to shotgun record for review later on a laptop or computer. Record all 100-120 pids at the same time gives you a record time of a few seconds. The snap shot mode is handy

One more thing that sucks, the backlight does not function unless you are jacked into a obd II or use the lighter adapter on OBD I.

Besides that it is funny how much extra time I spent with a code reader. Then there are things that I did not even think of……. Dashboard takes a dump. No problem just custom list and monitor oil pressure, water temp, RPM, and MPH but the back light is a little much at night.

How about this silly one. Have an old G tech HP and ET timer, like to make a graph of HP and torque? Just strap a camcorder to the head rest, duct tape the scanner to the dash set to graph RPM next to the Gtech and bingo HP= (RPM* torque)/5252. See if that silly 300-dollar exhaust was worth it…. NOPE

it reads everything that you will come accross 1984 to present