General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds

advice on handheld scan tool

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-12-2016, 09:12 PM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
 
99monguse's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: OHIO
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 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?
Old 05-13-2016, 06:35 AM
  #2  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (4)
 
FirstYrLS1Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Euclid,Ohio
Posts: 4,155
Received 129 Likes on 114 Posts

Default

one of the Actron code scanners,we use it at Tuffy in Euclid and I keep one in my car.
Old 05-13-2016, 06:40 AM
  #3  
On The Tree
 
JT2000WS6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

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.
Old 05-13-2016, 07:45 AM
  #4  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (36)
 
mjs1012's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Stratford, CT
Posts: 2,687
Received 19 Likes on 16 Posts

Default

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.
Old 05-13-2016, 03:18 PM
  #5  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
1 FMF's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: CT
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default

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.

Last edited by 1 FMF; 05-13-2016 at 03:27 PM.
Old 05-14-2016, 09:00 AM
  #6  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (17)
 
LS1121's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts

Default

I'm using Torque on my cell phone along with the BAFX ELM327 I think it cost me $30. This actually does more than my hand held that cost more than $100.



Quick Reply: advice on handheld scan tool



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:50 AM.