OBD scanner

Does anyone have an OBD scanner? Brand, features, where? Thanks

I use a bluetooth dongle and an app called Torque for smartphones. The basic app is free and the premium one that can calculate horsepower, 1/4 mile, 0 to 60, cornering Gforce etc is $4.99.

https://www.amazon.com/Friencity-Bl...th+Adapter&qid=1592748464&sr=8-8

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/monitor-your-cars-performance-with-the-torque-app-for-android/

Kevin

For the infrequent, occasional pull and reset, then a smart phone and the https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en_US app for $4.95 works good. You will need a Bluetooth connector, too. They run $10 to $20 on Amazon and ebag.

For more frequent and more involved pulls, we use the Autel units. I have one for OBD/SRS/ABS and one for TPMS. They make several different levels of units and can be bought on Amazon or ebag.

Pay close attention to the model numbers. They introduce new models frequently and only change one number which is easy to miss. And there are often different generations of the same unit available at the same time. Not having the absolute newest version is not necessarily a bad thing, just make sure you don't pay the same money for the earlier model as you could have gotten the newer one for.

The one I use the most is an innova one. It tells you the code, the description and a bunch of other things and lets you erase them.
I also have an OBDII dongle thing from amazon that was $5 or $10 that works with an android app. I forget which one now but it wasn't much. I prefer the Innova scanner because it's simpler.

Interesting timing.for this topic to come up.

I was just thinking about buying a reader to do Tire pressure ck's, and Airbag system codes and system cks for myself. with my own cars ( 05 Caravan thru a 2016 Chrysler 200 ) I will be adding a truck to the fleet in the next year or so but it will NOT be new, most likely a 10 - 15 year old truck ,,,give or take a few years one way or the other
I dont do side work anymore , simply maintain my own cars.
So Im not interested in spending big money
So maybe something in the $75- to $150 range is my max.

My personal choice but I would rather have a dedicated tool instead of something I put on my phone.

I have a reader to do the basic OBD2 engine and transmission codes with a fair amount of live data.

I just spent$2600 (not yet paid off) on a brand new snap on Solus edge, it was a "factory left over" as they just came out with yet another new version of the Solus, I think it's the ultimate model.
Mine was over $4 grand in it's prime
I replaced an original Solus that was only current to 2014, went to work on a 2015 with it and the scanner thought I was working on a 1985, as it turns out VIN codes for model year for the 80s is the same as the 2010 decade. The original Solus wasn't updateable past '14, tholis one supposed to be supported for 6-7 years yet. Hopefully it'll be 2-3yeara before I will have to worry about another update.
Not for my own vehicles as my newest ever was a 2001, much the reason I just jumped at the chance to buy a 85 D 150 with a slant 6 for a 3 season daily driver. The more I see of new vehicles the more I want old ones for myself.

This thread has covered the OP's question pretty good already. Pulling codes can be done for anywhere between $20 and $4,000. Just depends on how much info you want to access and on how many vehicles.

Is everyone familiar with the 'Right To Repair' movement?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronics_right_to_repair

I have to add though that not all of them are created equal. I cannot do nearly as much with my Innova code reader that cost $~139 as I can with the snap on. For the most part I can do more with it than I can with the shop's OTC genisys, though the information is set up different between them.
I have heard of Autel and 1 other that sound promising but I personally know nobody that has one, nor do I know who sells them. I see them advertised in the trade magazines though.
I will say that even with all of the scanners that I have tried NONE of them will let me do everything to my Dodge's as a drb will but I ain't spending 3 grand on one just to do my own vehicles.
For example I have an 01 Durango that I am having issues with the HVAC system on, and no scanner will let me run the tests that a drb will, it pisses me off to still have to go back to the stealer for them to run the system test that I need to. Last time I was there with it there were 2 codes in the HVAC that I couldn't pick up on with either my old Solus, my new Solus edge or work's genisys. I found out first time there that I had a bad door actuator in the rear ac unit I fixed that and all seemed ok, went back and now I have a shorted evaporator temp sensor that none of the units that I have access to told me anything about. All to try and make the led on the AC button and the led on the rear defroster button to stop blinking incessantly
To do most things on most vehicles the aftermarket scanners seel ok, and some units are more user friendly on some brands of cars than others. But to really cover all the bases you'd need a factory scanner for each brand of car that you mess with which is as impractical as all get out

I have the Autel MD 808 Pro. Had it for 2 years now. Will do real time data with live graphs. It's not battery operated. It powers up once you are connected into the ADL port on the vehicle.
Price at the time was $275 and I get free updates for life. This one does not have the capability to reset the TPMS. There are units that just do that or get into a higher priced scanner that includes that capability.

I have the $5 Torque app and the $11.00 ELM Bluetooth/Wifi adapter. Gives real-time readouts too numerous to mention, reads, clears codes and will even look the codes up for you on the internet with detailed explanation a suggested repair.

Best money I never spent on a $150.00+ code reader.

Thank you for all that replied. I'm looking for a scanner for the "do it yourselfer". Like to have one to read codes, be able to get info on what it is, correct the issue, and erase the check engine light.

Just go to the auto parts store and get one. I got one from Advance, I think it's an Acton or something like that. It was like $40 and works well, reads and erases codes no problem.

In the Do-It-Yourself category I see two options.
Do you just want the codes and look them up on your Computer/Phone or do you want it to tell you what the code is.

If you get the advanced units that do ABS / TPMS they rarely do it correctly or thoroughly unless you pay big bucks,

I have found the problem with ones that tell you how to fix it, is that they give you a generic how to fix it when the problem may be more involved or not even what they say.

I had a car that threw an O2 sensor code when the MAP sensor went bad. It was a common problem with that model.

With any scanner do a little research to be sure it is the correct fix.

I have two a $40 Actron that just reads & erases codes. It also tell you if the computer is reset. I use it as a loaner when people need to drive until the computer resets. It lets them know when it is ready. I also have a $200 Craftsman/Actron It give me more info and simplifies quick checks.

You really need to determine what you're using it on and what you're using it for. What are future needs? Is the tool updateable or will it be obsolete? Scanning a 2001 is not the same as scanning a 2018. Some of the info is the same but much is different. For instance...in 2001 you had a few modules on a car that you might access for info.....a 2020 Vette has 100+ modules living on multiple networks all behind a gateway module(most new vehicles will head in this direction for computer architecture). Not sure how much info you will access on a vehicle like that with a $20 dongle and a free app.....maybe some but surely not all.Do you want bi-directional controls to aid in diag? Limited on inexpensive tools.What about snapshot/movie capabilities(very helpful with intermittent issues). Access to manufacture codes as well as generic codes? Many cheap scanners won't access manufacture specific codes.

Just some thoughts on the scan tool discussion.Things you might want access to:
Codes( Manufacture and generic)
Freeze frame data
monitor status
live data
bi-directional controls
generic OBD II data(modes 1-10)
all modules like ABS,SRS,IPC,TCM, BCM,TPMS, etc etc

I've been at this since computers came on board in the early 80s and have had my hands on a bunch of different tools.....from handheld code readers to factory tools.......trust me, there is a BIG difference in capabilities. Do your research and find something that meets your needs now AND in the future. Cheap is not always best.

I have a car as my daily driver and it's a 2005 with only 65,000 miles on it. The check engine light came on recently. So, I took it to my local garage and they put their OBD on it to say that it's the knock sensor. The car has no ill effects of this check engine light or this sensor and it runs like a top. I was thinking of getting a scanner to verify myself and to have one just incase and to clear the code too. I'm looking to see if I want to tackle this myself or just live with the light.

Yes, Torque is the app I was using.
There is also Alphaobd if it's a Chrysler or Fiat.

i bought the autel maxi-link ml629 about two years ago as well. it's not too bad, but is limited on my 1999 caravan.
i haven't had it hooked up to anything else as of yet. i'm curious as to how it will work on say, a 2015 or so GM product.

I have an Autel AL619. I just pulled and cleared an SRS code on a '15 Equinox this week. And I haven't updated it in a year or so. I have heard that updating them periodically is important. But I don't know that myself as I have only done it the one time.

Who sells Autel? Never seen them anywhere else besides an automotive trade magazine, who had done a comparison between available scanners but never told where to find Autel products

Amazon, ebag, and many other places come up in a simple search.

My first thing I would use one for is to clear the check engine in my 2005. It would be great if one could or would cover a wide range of years. Least that's what I'm understanding.

I bought mine on Amazon.

My Autel MD 808 Pro covers alot of years. Used it on pre 2000 cars and recently a 2015 or 2016 Toyota. Yes, this will clear the check engine light.

i believe the newer the vehicle, the more things the autel units are capable of doing, correct ?
i haven't had the opportunity to try mine on anything past my '99 caravan.