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I am thinking about buying an auto scanner tool to self diagnose the check engine
light codes in my 1999 car. Could you recommend a popular, economical and good auto scanner tool.
works fine. Reads the codes and clears them. Comes with a manual to tell you what the codes are. Pretty simple and makes for a good first step in diagnosing problems when the Check Engine light comes on.
works fine. Reads the codes and clears them. Comes with a manual to tell you what the codes are. Pretty simple and makes for a good first step in diagnosing problems when the Check Engine light comes on.
The drawback to these inexpensive code readers is that's all they do ... read the codes and allow you to reset them. I have had excellent service out of CEN-TECH brand (house brand Harbor Freight) tools, so they've been a good value when I needed something for an infrequent use.
The ACTRON's will do that and give you the live data stream outputs, which can be valuable in diagnosing the causation of a problem which triggers the DTC. For example, you could see a code showing low catalytic converter efficiency, but the causation of this result can be from numerous other sources, not the catalytic converter failed ... such as a "lazy" or failed O2 sensor which is not triggering a DTC fault code of it's own. By having the O2 sensor live readouts, you can verify that these are functioning correctly ... and so it goes with other fault codes in the engine/emissions DTC's.
My Actron will also give me the "State OBD" test which effectively tells me what they are looking for when they test for the annual emission test sticker. Such a racket, if I lived a few miles away I wouldn't need the test (even in the same state). Anyway, because I keep getting a check engine light fairly regularly (which I think is the cat failing, it has 200k on it and that is the code), I can reset it and then make sure those sensors are not still reading incomplete when it's time for the test.
I don't know the number. My gadget has the form factor of the 9185/9190 that I can see in Amazon search but I know it didn't cost that much (though it was a gift). I'm sure it was $100 or so but not $200.
Looks like the 9575 has the same key features (missing the record/playback and memory, which I've never used, and yeah mine has a detachable cable which gives it options, also stuff I never use) and has the benefit of being more compact. 100 bucks at Amazon. I'd get that. Although this is with no experience with the other brands.
If you have an iPhone that is another option, OBD II cable that goes to iPhone, with software. If I didn't already have the tool (before I had an iPhone) I might go this route but I have not used such a device.
If you have an iPhone that is another option, OBD II cable that goes to iPhone, with software. If I didn't already have the tool (before I had an iPhone) I might go this route but I have not used such a device.
I was thinking of getting the wireless bluetooth OBDII setup for my Android phone, as it does data logging and other things, too.
I was thinking of getting the wireless bluetooth OBDII setup for my Android phone, as it does data logging and other things, too.
These are an absolute bargain and a heck of a convenience.
In perspective, the current Snap-On Veriys bluetooth remote scanner for a pro shop is currently around $12,000! It doesn't do all that much more .... a shop could buy one of the "cheapies" and break it and replace it every so many months and they still wouldn't be out as much money ....
I am thinking about buying an auto scanner tool to self diagnose the check engine
light codes in my 1999 car. Could you recommend a popular, economical and good auto scanner tool.
Regards!
If you have a smartphone, you can get a bluetooth OBDII dongle for about $25 and a diagnostic app for $5 or less.
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