If you've been wanting a code scanner for your car...

[tsbrewers]

I'll try and make it 4 pages. I own one of the cheaper ones from HF and it works fine, but you have to look up the codes in the book. I might pick one of these up for the convenience. My wife drives a '98 malibu that used to throw codes weekly, and we live 30 miles from the closest place that will check them for free, so it has been nice to have one.

Brew

[unknown poster]

I'd rather look up the codes on the 'net than have the scanner tell me what they mean. My local AutoZone used a cheap scanner to check my truck and the scanner said a p0316 was a bad crankshaft position sensor, that didn't jive with the other codes or with what I was experiencing. Further research found that on my vehicle a p0316 is a misfire below 1000 rpm, which was consistent with the p0302 I was also getting. A few bucks for a coil on cylinder 2 and I was running fine again.

[ragswl4]

My stepson is a Certified Auto Mechanic and told me that these code readers are fine but to beware. Sometimes the fault that is displayed is not what is wrong. Example: Oxygen sensor running lean. Could mean a new sensor is needed or that there is another cause for this condition. He says they always read the code then download a trouble shooting chart that directs them how to resolve the problem. Just food for thought.

[ragswl4]

Who'da thunk that a post on OBD scanners would get four pages of replies! (next reply makes four!)

We are a bunch of gadget freaks, aren't we? lol

Yes we are and they work on diesels as well. Confirmed with my stepson the auto mechanic. I think Lchien said it, all 1996 and newer must adhere to this standard.

[LinuxRandal]

My stepson is a Certified Auto Mechanic and told me that these code readers are fine but to beware. Sometimes the fault that is displayed is not what is wrong. Example: Oxygen sensor running lean. Could mean a new sensor is needed or that there is another cause for this condition. He says they always read the code then download a trouble shooting chart that directs them how to resolve the problem. Just food for thought.

Exactly my long drawn out point. These are just a tool (not a gadget), one must still both know some automotive, and be able to do their own detective work. Even then, there are some things that won't throw codes.

[wizeguy4]

I have this one from Amazon for 65 bucks or something

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9135-...0673259&sr=8-1

works great and I love that you can see when all the sensors are "ready" This way I can reset the SES light, wait till sensors are ready and go get emmisions done before teh SES pops back on....err....I mean fix the problem

[jarhead]

Additional source/forum for OBD codes:

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes