advice on handheld scan tool
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: OHIO
advice on handheld scan tool I have a SES light that popped on this morning in my 98 Z28, car runs perfectly..I think I should get my own scan tool but I don't need tuning software or anything like that, just a good scan tool for codes and such..any advice or recommendations?
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Joined: Apr 2014
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For just basic code reading/clearing you can get a cheap one from Amazon for around $15. I bought one of these as my first reader years ago and it served its purporse. Now I just keep this one in my car.
Eventually I bought a slightly better one for about $80 so I can get real time info and read ABS codes. You can spend hundreds/thousands of $$$ for fancy readers, but if you want just basic code reading ability you can get by only dropping $15 or so.
Eventually I bought a slightly better one for about $80 so I can get real time info and read ABS codes. You can spend hundreds/thousands of $$$ for fancy readers, but if you want just basic code reading ability you can get by only dropping $15 or so.
I got one for like $40 a few years ago and it's held up fine. It's very basic and just reads the codes. In my camaro though, I have an aeroforce scan gauge and that can read and clear any codes which is nice.
you need to look into the features that a handheld can provide, and whether it's worth the extra money
a) cheapest available, basic obd2 reading DTC, $50 or less
b) all vehicle capable obd2 reader
c) ability to read SRS and ABS codes
d) ability to read transmission codes
e) ability to do emissions check
f) ability to read & capture live data for diagnostic trouble shooting.
for $120 at autozone, innova inn31003 does live data & transmission but does not do ABS codes.
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...44480&cmpid=cj
innova has been a brand around for a while, check out the models available on their website to get an idea of features vs price.
don't underestimate the usefulness of reading live data to troubleshoot a DTC.
a) cheapest available, basic obd2 reading DTC, $50 or less
b) all vehicle capable obd2 reader
c) ability to read SRS and ABS codes
d) ability to read transmission codes
e) ability to do emissions check
f) ability to read & capture live data for diagnostic trouble shooting.
for $120 at autozone, innova inn31003 does live data & transmission but does not do ABS codes.
http://www.autozone.com/test-scan-an...44480&cmpid=cj
innova has been a brand around for a while, check out the models available on their website to get an idea of features vs price.
don't underestimate the usefulness of reading live data to troubleshoot a DTC.
Last edited by 1 FMF; May 13, 2016 at 03:27 PM.
