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inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently #3179230 09/29/23 10:47 AM 09/29/23 10:47 AM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,671 A Andrewh OP master
Andrewh OP master A Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,671	I am starting to look at used cars. I wanted to check the ready on the checks, to ensure they didn't just clear codes. is there some min level of reader I need? or will any of them work in general? I don't see that specifically called out, and prices vary from 40 bucks to several thousand.

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: Andrewh] #3179235 09/29/23 11:00 AM 09/29/23 11:00 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,172 Park Forest, IL slantzilla Too Many Posts
slantzilla Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,172 Park Forest, IL	Blue Driver I have this one. It can also diagnose in real time. Last edited by slantzilla; 09/29/23 04:39 PM. "Everybody funny, now you funny too."

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: slantzilla] #3179243 09/29/23 11:26 AM 09/29/23 11:26 AM
Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 16,474 On the run… BloFish I Live Here
BloFish I Live Here Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 16,474 On the run…	Link doesn’t work. It really doesn't matter whether you win or lose… as long as you look good doing it! ‘65 A100 ‘69 ‘Cuda ‘73 Vega GT ‘06 Mega Cab ‘14 Mercedes SLK

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: BloFish] #3179253 09/29/23 11:59 AM 09/29/23 11:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,924 Grand Prairie,Texas stumpy I Win
stumpy I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,924 Grand Prairie,Texas	About as cheap as it gets for what you want. https://www.ebay.com/itm/155385583336?

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: stumpy] #3179269 09/29/23 12:41 PM 09/29/23 12:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,754 A collage of whims topside Too Many Posts
topside Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,754 A collage of whims	The one Stumpy posted looks like the one I bought from Harbor Freight. It works fine, shows history and can clear codes...I was pleasantly surprised. BUT, if codes have been cleared, they're gone until the car throws them again. Any serious code should re-appear after a decent test drive, I think - that's been my experience.

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: topside] #3179289 09/29/23 01:40 PM 09/29/23 01:40 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,671 A Andrewh OP master
Andrewh OP master A Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,671	it isn't seeing the cleared codes. I forget the term, but some thing shows not ready till after enough driving cycles or distance and that shows the codes were cleared recently or the battery was disconnected. either way, as long as I can see that, I know that a code won't trip again till after that says ready, and I know not to dig any further in that car. so as long as any scanner will show it, then I am good, just making sure I don't have to spend a certain amount. the one above says check i/m readiness. I just want to make sure that is what I am looking for.

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: Andrewh] #3179317 09/29/23 02:52 PM 09/29/23 02:52 PM
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,880 Oregon hooziewhatsit master
hooziewhatsit master Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 3,880 Oregon	I have a cheapo bluetooth adapter, and the Torque (free) app. I'm pretty sure if you try to look at some things, it will say the drive cycle isn't complete yet If you ever find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: Andrewh] #3179328 09/29/23 03:08 PM 09/29/23 03:08 PM
Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,231 nowhere S Sniper master
Sniper master S Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,231 nowhere	Originally Posted by Andrewh it isn't seeing the cleared codes. I forget the term, but some thing shows not ready till after enough driving cycles or distance and that shows the codes were cleared recently or the battery was disconnected. either way, as long as I can see that, I know that a code won't trip again till after that says ready, and I know not to dig any further in that car. so as long as any scanner will show it, then I am good, just making sure I don't have to spend a certain amount. the one above says check i/m readiness. I just want to make sure that is what I am looking for. Those are the OBD2 Readiness Monitors. Those will clear and have to be rerun before they pass. A good reader will tell you what state they are in. https://www.obdautodoctor.com/tutorials/obd-readiness-monitors-explained/

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: Sniper] #3179332 09/29/23 03:20 PM 09/29/23 03:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,671 A Andrewh OP master
Andrewh OP master A Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 8,671	thanks, looks like that 10 dollar one does the job.

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: BloFish] #3179365 09/29/23 04:42 PM 09/29/23 04:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,172 Park Forest, IL slantzilla Too Many Posts
slantzilla Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 20,172 Park Forest, IL	Originally Posted by BloFish Link doesn’t work. Fixed, thank you. The one I posted lets you monitor the test routine it goes through after you clear codes in real time. It will show how long it's been since codes were cleared. "Everybody funny, now you funny too."

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: BloFish] #3179460 09/29/23 11:10 PM 09/29/23 11:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,315 Omaha Ne T TJP I Live Here
TJP I Live Here T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 15,315 Omaha Ne	Originally Posted by BloFish Link doesn’t work. Did for me www.tandmautomotive-omaha.com

Re: inexpensive code reader to see if they have cleared recently [Re: Sniper] #3179554 09/30/23 12:31 PM 09/30/23 12:31 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,942 WI Dcuda69 master
Dcuda69 master Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,942 WI	Originally Posted by Sniper Originally Posted by Andrewh it isn't seeing the cleared codes. I forget the term, but some thing shows not ready till after enough driving cycles or distance and that shows the codes were cleared recently or the battery was disconnected. either way, as long as I can see that, I know that a code won't trip again till after that says ready, and I know not to dig any further in that car. so as long as any scanner will show it, then I am good, just making sure I don't have to spend a certain amount. the one above says check i/m readiness. I just want to make sure that is what I am looking for. Those are the OBD2 Readiness Monitors. Those will clear and have to be rerun before they pass. A good reader will tell you what state they are in. https://www.obdautodoctor.com/tutorials/obd-readiness-monitors-explained/ Exactly. Any time codes are cleared or battery is disconnected all the monitors are reset to "not run" status. Specific criteria need to be met in order to get all the monitors to run, complete and pass/fail. Mode 6 will tell you monitor status but not all code readers will show mode 6(they should but not all do)

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