OBD Scanner Question
 

Is this: Thinkobd 100 OBD2 Scanner worth the money or a waste?

Cheers
JB

Can't help with that but wanted to add my displeasure with Foxwell.

Supposed to be from UK or something. Ended up that it was from China and not compatible for the needs my vehicle had, air suspension diagnosis.

Dig deep before committing. When i was looking it seemed like tons of units came from China which made returns and updates problematic

I pretty much ditched my OBD devices. I use,an APP called Torque, which uses Bluetooth to connect to your vehicles port. Can do all the functions of an OBD, plus full realtime info on almost every parameter. Just have to down load the software for that particular vehicle. I love it. Its been a godsend with my trucks.
You just need to buy the Bluetooth adapter.

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This...

Though I do have access to an Autologic, when I need a deep dive..

The Launch x431 iCarScan OBD tool is very good bang for the buck. You can find it on obdtools.net, usually for between $150 and $200. No affiliation.

What makes that one good is that it:

1) Supports 5 vehicle marques
2) Is not limited to any # of VINs
3) Generally does [most] all OBD codes/tests/activations/and programming that the top dollar scanners do
4) Handles things like resetting oil change reminder, SRS, bleeding ABS, etc.
5) Gives you free updates for a year (after that you’re stuck with the capabilities the software had when your upgrades expired) — this isn’t a big deal unless you’ve got a brand new car
6) Wireless/Bluetooth — fits in your pocket/glovebox — works with your phone

What’s bad:
1) Made in China — not the most intuitive thing ever, but the user friendliness depends on the vehicle — Porsche is so-so, Mercedes was very good.
2) No support. See above. But it usually works for most people.

The cheap Amazon OBD readers are also useful for just checking an OBD code or basic engine parameter, but they don’t do much else. The above item is a serious tool and has saved me a trip to the dealer many times over.


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You need to be careful with some cars. I find my scanner cannot reset a BMW/Mini, but works on everything else. Do some research for your car model.

I have a sort of expensive dedicated VW scanner for codes, airbags, and ABS.

This does 99% of what I need:

https://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS300-Diagnostic-Vehicles/dp/B001LHVOVK/ref=sr_1_24?dchild=1&keywords=obd2+scanner+autel&q id=1610412586&sr=8-24

For $33 it's pretty much in line with a basic scan tool. It really depends what you want to do. If it's just "check engine light" codes (engine related), then you just need something to give you the code, and clear it if you don't want to wait for it to turn off on it's own after fixing. If you want a "fancier" one, this should do the trick. As mentioned, some cars are finicky and might not work with even simple readers very well.

If it's to actually read the whole vehicle's various modules, then you'll need something more expensive. I recently bought an Autel mk808. So far...pleased. My father in law purchased a later model Mercedes a few years ago, and this thing is a mess. He had no idea about salvage title cars, and thought he was getting a deal. He can't drive anymore, but wants to keep the car for some reason. So it sits in the driveway. I was able to get about 18 fault codes and should give me a decent idea how to diagnose the A/C not working (4 codes, one indicates pressure sensor, and another an outside temp sensor issue), passenger airbag light (3 codes, one points to connection issue), and adaptive suspension issue (3 codes, one points to a level sensor problem...probably where the car was damaged). Then, about 8 other stored codes likely related to a previous dead battery.

Being able to fix these things should pay for itself when he finally wants it sold.

This is exactly what I use. I have cheap Bluetooth readers on each vehicle and use the Torque program.

Yeah I think I paid $30. for the BT readers. Was really surprised how good it works.

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I have an Actron scanner that provides real time parameters. Most of the parameters I simply look at and think "That's nice, now what do I do with that?"

Fuel trims I understand once I re-watch a good YouTube video and usually O2 sensor data if it's not a fancy AF ratio sensor.

Is there a source for what all of the parameters should be indicating?

all OBD2 scanners are usually able to provide basic fuel/engine trouble codes and parameters. It is mandated by law.

But if you need fancier functions (reading manufacturer-specific gearbox codes etc.) you need to get specialized one.

I used VagCom för VAG vehicles and it worked well even for specific functions.
Now I have a GM-sourced vehicle, I use GDS2 together with VCX Nano. It is basically what dealers use and is able to fully support whole vehicle and all onboard computers.

OP: What make of car?

I know I will need something for my wife's Macan soon. When I last looked the decent tools were expensive. I delayed buying one as I hoped the supply of cheaper tools that work well would appear.

So for a 2017 Macan will the Torque program and a compatible reader do the basic stuff?

My El Camino has a OBD1 port and it relays very little. Of course the 911 is OBD 0

The Bluetooth reader reads all values, codes, etc in real time. The Torque program takes it to another level. You put in values about your vehicle, like weight. It can then take velocity, engine speed, etc, and calculate hp and torque.

You can create screens on the app to show any combo of values.

But it still allows reading codes and resetting codes. You may have to search on-line for the meaning of obscure codes specific to your vehicle.

For the Macan (or anything German built in the past 15 years), I suspect the cheapie OBD bluetooth scanners will quickly find their limit. There are many custom OBD codes on the modern cars that will not be reset by those devices. Sure, you can read some stored codes, and that will point you in the right direction, particularly for engine trouble, but there's often some additional codes and activations that only a more premium device will handle (SRS resets, service intervals, transmission adaptation, battery registration on BMWs, the list goes on and on).

Don't get me wrong, I do occasionally use my basic OBD with torque app -- it's very good for checking basic engine parameters such as fuel trims, lambda, MAP/MAF readings, emissions readiness, real coolant temp, etc. -- but there's a whole parallel universe of [common] stuff that requires a better reader on modern cars. For example, essentially every system on my wife's 2013 Mercedes has a computer with it's own diagnostics -- everything: light assemblies, wipers, windows, mirrors, seats.... Not all of those systems throw a check engine light (which is usually reserved for the engine/emissions), but the better readers will quickly tell you what's going on and save you a trip to the dealer.

See my post above on a relatively low cost option for modern cars -- no affiliation, just a reasonably satisfied user.

brainz is correct. For 'real' analysis you need a bit more.

My Volvo currently has a check engine fault, ABS fault, and traction control. One error, P0502, vehicle speed sensor. I cannot tell which wheel from my OBDII code. I can either check all four, or connect something better to the port.

VW Rosstech, Volvo VIDA, etc, there's a whole world of more info and access out there.

I had a Cadillac Brougham with OBD I. In case people don't know, you can read codes with a paper clip. Just need the patience to count the flashes. It actually helped me diagnose a coolant temp sensor.

I owned an 85 Chevette. I remember hooking a wire up between connections in the port and it would make one of the dash lights flash in code if there was a check engine light.

Maybe a SnapOn MT 2500 scanner would help you pull more data? They are pretty cheap used. Few hundred bucks thru 95. Several hundred more updated thru 2005.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1610565812.jpg

Hey Gents
Thank you for the feedback - much appreciated
Cheers
JB

the red brick !