automotive code reader

[violent31601]

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.

[vanilla gorilla]

You mean a datalogger?

[gthompson97]

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.

[violent31601]

nope, just want something that reads codes

[pedrokim]

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/UiBr...EACM%7C%7Etrue

[gthompson97]

Pedro, don't type in all caps.

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

[violent31601]

no i don't, how?

[gthompson97]

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

[violent31601]

Originally Posted by gthompson97

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?

[blk_srt]

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

[boarder_punk]

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.

[blk_srt]

Originally Posted by boarder_punk

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.

[boarder_punk]

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.

[blk_srt]

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

[boarder_punk]

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?