OBD2 Scantool

[DaRockwilder]

I was in wal-mart today buying oil, and while I was in there I noticed an OBD2 code reader for 129.99. It would be extremely handy to read and clear codes without having to go to a dealership. I'm a little skeptical buying it from wal-mart, so I'm wondering if anyone else has had any experience with them?

Check em' out here

The one I saw was the bottom of the line one there, for 89.99 US. If I bought one, I'd get one of the ones with an interface for the computer. I don't know what it does yet but I'd imagine it would be useful! I could save a ton of cash being able to diagnose myself, plus help friends out when their cars throw codes as well.

Thanks for anything!

[sound_xtreme]

i always jus go to autozone(free), suprised ya dun have anythin up there like that.

[DaRockwilder]

Maybe we do, and i'm not aware of it. This is my first OBD2 car.

[super white alero1]

All those scanner will do is pull codes. They don't tell you what is worng with the vehicle.

IE. P0300- Random misfire. Meaning a misfire in the engine. Could be spark plugs, wires, coil pak, module, signal wire. CMT sensor bad. Fuel injector bad, FPR not holding pressure, or low gas. or

P0440 - EVAP System Leaks; Where is the leak, a pin sized hole in the relief lines, canister bad, or a solenoid not opening? or better yet.

P0101 - MAF Sensor circuit preformance. Did you know that if you got water inside the connector that the the same code will also trip. So AutoZone will definitely want to sell you a MAF sensor. OR better yet, maybe the the air filter is dirty as SH*T and it will trip that same code.

[ziaplayboy]

I have model 3100c and it has never failed me.... i havent tired to hook it up to a computer, but it tells me enough info to fix my car

[comanche]

You have two "Free" options. Bring the car to AutoZone and they will scan it for free, or "rent" the scan tool for like $170, bring it back within 30 days and they give you your money back.

The $100 OBD2 scanners are helpful in some ways, but don't really do everything you would think they might. You can't use them for ABS (can't tell which wheel bearing is bad when your "trac off" light stays on, and they are not very specific as to what's wrong.

They are helpful, but they aren't the "magic tool"

[Cliff8928]

They may not be the magic tool, but they're also not $2000

[super white alero1]

A $50.00 will be enough for the do-it-urselfer. But for a shop yea you looking into a $2000.00+ scanner.

[DaRockwilder]

Thanks all for the replies! I'm very much aware that this isn't a magic tool to fix my car. Its simply a point in the right direction when my check engine light comes on. Although If there were a tool that told me my #2 spark plug was bad, I'd be down for that.

Its a good alternative for a do-it-yourselfer. Sure there may be "free" options, but is autozone going to come out and diagnose my car for me on the highway? Nope. Plus, I live in Canada. I'm pretty sure we don't have autozones.

Thanks all!

[Cliff8928]

Nope, no AZ in Canada. Only in US, PR, and Mexico.

[BlackJack]

well, that's crappy there's no AZ there. I thought Canada was a US territory? heh

[ptrudel]

^lol no, not yet anyways

i bought a matco scanner when they were on sale for $100CAD, and it works awesome, pulls codes, erases codes, and does an emission testing

[pawzbear]

yeh our scanner is a multi-thousand dollar one.
hey, u need that shit in a business though.

but its cool, its soooo foolproof even me and my mom can go out there and use it. lmao