Is there a relatively inexpensive stand-alone tool for scanning OBD II trouble codes?
01-09-2004, 03:17 PM
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Is there a relatively inexpensive stand-alone tool for scanning OBD II trouble codes? I don't want some big expensive apparatus for tweaking my PCM, nor do I want something that requires a lap-top computer to operate.
Isn't there just a simple tool that plugs into the diagnostic coupling under the IP that will display trouble codes when you get an SES light?
On one of my older cars with OBD I, you'd just ground the diagnostic lead and then it would flash the trouble codes right on the dashboard. That doesn't work any more with OBD II...does it?
Isn't there just a simple tool that plugs into the diagnostic coupling under the IP that will display trouble codes when you get an SES light?
On one of my older cars with OBD I, you'd just ground the diagnostic lead and then it would flash the trouble codes right on the dashboard. That doesn't work any more with OBD II...does it?
01-09-2004, 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Silvr98z28
Local auto store. About $150. for a cheap one.
01-09-2004, 05:10 PM
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Predator is a handheld tuner which locks to the car's VIN
number. It's somewhere between the HPP3 and a full-
blown editing software/cable/PC. Once it's used, it
can't (won't) write to any other than the original vehicle.
But it will still pull codes and do real-time monitoring of
about 20 engine params. So sometimes you see them
go cheap 'cause they are no longer usable as programmers,
and people will buy them for use as a handy scanner.
New they're like $400. I've used mine to read codes as
well as tuning and monitoring.
number. It's somewhere between the HPP3 and a full-
blown editing software/cable/PC. Once it's used, it
can't (won't) write to any other than the original vehicle.
But it will still pull codes and do real-time monitoring of
about 20 engine params. So sometimes you see them
go cheap 'cause they are no longer usable as programmers,
and people will buy them for use as a handy scanner.
New they're like $400. I've used mine to read codes as
well as tuning and monitoring.
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01-12-2004, 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by jrp
01-12-2004, 03:37 PM
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Most cheapo scanners like the predator ONLY do generic OBD-II and not also GM enhanced so you could have a problem code but will not see or know it exists since the cheapo scanner does not support the parameters or may support it for 1 model year but not others.
01-12-2004, 07:53 PM
#14
Originally Posted by Hank Hill
Wow, that Harbor Junk code-reader is inexpensive ($40), but it isn't near as nice as the Actron Global OBD II Autoscanner CP 9135 (for $100 more) which has the trouble-code descriptions right on the display unit...
01-13-2004, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by jrp
what good does that do you. why spend 100+ on a scanner that might give a description of the code but no way to fix it :shrug: chances are your going to pull the code and then come on here or another site and ask us about it. for a simple and cheap way of getting a code pulled you cant beat that 40 or cheaper one.
