Need help ASAP picking a code reader tool...

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I've been putting it off... but now we have three OBD II vehicles and I need to pull codes on one. I didn't want to spend the money to buy an OBD II code reader, but I'm rapidly tiring of trying to get the codes pulled somewhere else.

But I don't know what tool would be best to buy. (Well, I'm sure Snap-On could sell me a great thing that would do everything but fix the problem for you, but it's not within my budget.)

I'd prefer the tool be under $200 and be able to tell me enough information about the problem to resolve it. (I have a cheap OBD I reader and sometimes it seems nearly worthless). If the OBD II reader could work on OBD I as well, that would be great, if not, no big deal. But I don't know enough about what is a good reader and what is not worth buying.

I did look up a listing for them on Summit Racing. I have no idea if anything they sell is any good or if the prices are any good. But I'm throwing that out there because I often deal with them for stuff. If you know a better/cheaper place to get a good one, by all means, let me know.

I'd like to get one within the next day or two.

I think that covers everything Just ask any questions

OBD II code readers from Summit Racing

 

[Purple004]

Scanner

You could probably find one for like $50. If you look in the right places. What it does is it spits out a code like p1234, Then with that code you can look it up in the book that comes with the scanner, or Google that code. I personally like to Google it. It will not tell you exactly what is wrong but it will lead you in the right direction. I use a Actron and it serves all my needs when working with my cars and friends cars. Its nice to have cause when I no what’s wrong I can clear it.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=obd ii code reader&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf

 

[Chance]

I'd prefer the tool be under $200 and be able to tell me enough information about the problem to resolve it.

As in one with a built in trouble tree?

In my experience with those things (cheap code readers) they are worthless. The only benefit you get from them is saving the five minutes to get the flash code. You still gotta go look up the trouble code in a book/online anyway and diagnose it from there.

But there might be a good cheap one out there... I just haven't used it.

Hell, snap on scan tools don't even really give you enough information to fix the problem half the time. I wish they had those magical machines that tell you what the problem actually is.

 

[TwoWhels]

I too would like to here others experiences with different code readers and scan tools.

Yea I can do the test light flashes or analog meter sweeps.
But I find it hard to count, write, and know when one code ends and the next one starts. That is a big PITA!

 

[adsm08]

I have two myself, both made by Mac tools. One was about $50 and only does codes, freeze frame, monitors, reads vin, and mil status.

The other one costs about $150 new, I got mine used for $100, ET97, does all that stuff and some basic PIDS, no output state control.

The best one is obviously the IDS, but for $3000 plus a couple hundred every year to keep the VCM updated, I doubt you want that one.

 

[dtathog79]

just bought one off snap on for 95 bucks,it has some live data also.i like it