On Board Trouble Code Auto Scanner
 

What scanners meet most needs of the home auto mechanic, and what scanners do you wrenching people themselves own / use?

seem to be pretty cheap.


Obd2 Pro Scanners

I use OBDCOM with a laptop.

Not the cheapest, but works great and has lots of other useful real time diagnostics other than reading codes.




Tim

I consider that $100 OBDCOM package perfect and highly affordable. I want good, not cheap!

thanks Tim!

Well, I went with a device that does a little more, that I keep in my car 24x7 and use every time I drive for a little more money, $159. I've got the Scangauge2. I love it.
http://www.scangauge.com/

This is similar for $60 (after a $10 mail in rebate) plus about $10 in shipping. I've got a buddy at work that bought one, and some other folks on the net have bought them and they seem to work well enough.

There are lots of apps for Android phones and some for iPhones these days. There are cabled and blue tooth OBDII plugs for phones or PCs (or even an ipod touch, I'm pretty sure)

I've owned the ScanGuage that Steve mentions and I've been happy with it. I use it on my MazdaSpeed3 and my wife's Mazda5.

I keep my scangauge II mounted in in my Jeep. It is great for the price. When I cut the holes in my hood, I was able to monitor the before and after intake temperature changes.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...p/a6084939.jpg
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/m...Jeep/test2.jpg

They all should spit out the same codes. So if all you care about is what the code is, the get one the fits your budget without all the frills.

I bought a Harbor Freight on for probably $50 a few years ago. Works just fine. As a matter of fact I sent it to college with one of our kids so she could tell me what was showing on her car if it happens. Taught her how to use it and it's better than her giving me the "the check engine light is on and I don't know what's wrong."'(from 400 miles away)