My 97 Nissan 2.0L is getting 15mpg so I want to get a OBD scanner to do some troubleshooting. I see some Actron and Equus scanners on Amazon from $60 to $250. I would prefer cheaper, but are the extra features worth it? Beyond the simple code reading what are the additional features that might be worth the extra money?
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March 8, 2009 2:59 p.m. GTwannaB New Reader
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March 8, 2009 4:04 p.m. pete240z HalfDork
I need help for a 1995 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1 liter engine.
Check engine light comes on.
The OBD I GM scanner I bought from a catalog said up to 1995 GM, but the package came and said not the Lumina. All the OBD II is for 1996 and up.
what do i need? black tape?
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March 8, 2009 4:29 p.m. ww Dork
Pete,
You need a factory service manual. That should include the instructions on how to test the sensors and troubleshoot your problem.
GT,
I bought a Harbor Freight CAN/OBD2 code reader when it went on sale for about $69.
It has saved me a ton of time tracking down the exact troublecode so I could focus on the specific sub-system that was having problems as well as saved a bunch of friends a LOT in shop work.
I highly recommend an OBD scanner for anyone running a vehicle from 1996 or newer.
Good luck! WW
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March 8, 2009 6:15 p.m. Travis_K Reader
I have a harbor freight one also, it works fine, although it is rather slow to connect to the vehicle and read the codes compared to say the ones you can rent at autozone that cost $250 or so.
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March 8, 2009 6:43 p.m. YaNi New Reader
Travis_K wrote:
I have a harbor freight one also, it works fine, although it is rather slow to connect to the vehicle and read the codes compared to say the ones you can rent at autozone that cost $250 or so.
The Autozone rentals are free if you return them... Or you could just have them read the code.
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March 8, 2009 7:04 p.m. ReverendDexter Reader
Travis_K wrote:
I have a harbor freight one also, it works fine, although it is rather slow to connect to the vehicle and read the codes compared to say the ones you can rent at autozone that cost $250 or so.
I have a harbor freight model as well - the trick is to get the $100 model when it goes on sale for $50, not the $50 one they always have.
And remember, the first 1024 codes are universal for OBDII, only codes above that do you need to look up as being specific to your vehicle.
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March 8, 2009 7:55 p.m. 93gsxturbo Reader
A used Snap-On MT2500 would be as cheap as a more expensive new Actron unit and is a lot more bang for the buck,
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March 8, 2009 8:00 p.m. GTwannaB New Reader
Are you recommending this model scanner http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98614
ITEM 98614-0VGA? It is on sale for $100 down from $120. So is it worth the extra dollars for the ability to read the live PCM datastream and the hookup to the PC?
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March 8, 2009 8:22 p.m. ReverendDexter Reader
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March 8, 2009 8:36 p.m. ww Dork
I have the previous model of THIS ONE and bought it when it was on sale for a little over $60.
If you want your own, I would wait until it goes on sale. Until then, I would simply go to an auto parts store that will let you borrow theirs.
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March 8, 2009 9:14 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork
Since you want to go trouble shooting, not simply clearing a code, you might do better to get into the better units with more details.
To that end, you very well may want one of the PC based systems, which are far superior at tedious trouble shooting, data logging, and manufacturer specific code readings.
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March 8, 2009 9:37 p.m. xci_ed6 New Reader
I have this actron scanner, CP9145. Besides just codes, it does freeze data and PIDs.
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March 9, 2009 2:46 p.m. spitfirebill HalfDork
Will these scanners stop a flashing air bag light? For a while?
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March 9, 2009 2:48 p.m. 93celicaGT2 HalfDork
^The Equus will....
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March 9, 2009 5:38 p.m. thatsnowinnebago HalfDork
what about the scangauge?
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March 9, 2009 6:43 p.m. 96DXCivic Reader
I got my actron scanner for $45 at autozone. It only reads codes but if you have a manual you shouldn't have any problems.
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March 9, 2009 7:44 p.m. B02S4 Reader
I bought a TOPTAK TP-150 Code Scanner on Fleabay for less than $50 delivered to my door. It has an extra long connect cable, bright display with memory function & battery backup, code clear & reset capability, & nylon case. It has paid for itself several times over.
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March 20, 2009 11:24 a.m. pete240z Dork
ww wrote: You need a factory service manual. That should include the instructions on how to test the sensors and troubleshoot your problem.
I bought a Harbor Freight CAN/OBD2 code reader when it went on sale for about $69.
I highly recommend an OBD scanner for anyone running a vehicle from 1996 or newer.
Here is an update: I got the 1995 Lumina GM Factory Service Manual (book two only) off ebay for $4.98 and it has all the "driveability and emissions" problems including ALL the codes I need.
Where do I get a OBD I scan tool? Everyone has the OBD II tool, but I have nothing.
I bought a GM Reader from Summit tools as it stated "1995 GM Cars and older". Except the package came and exluded most 1995 GM cars except some Cadillac. I called the tool mnfgr and they suggested I buy the large diagnostic machine like the dealer owns.
So who has an OBD I reader for a 1995 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1 liter??
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March 20, 2009 7:38 p.m. 93gsxturbo Reader
OBD1 Scan Tool?
See above post RE: MT2500
I have a fully outfitted MTG2500 (graphing) that does vehicle specific to 2004 (import and domestic) and OBD2 Legacy and CAN to current. Goes all the way back to the really weird early 80s OBD0 crap, import and domestic.
I have around $300 in the whole thing after some clever horsetrading. You cant get that much scan tool for that much money anywhere else. It does airbags, ABS, transmission, and all sorts of other modules.
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March 20, 2009 7:40 p.m. 93gsxturbo Reader
Since GMs are like THE most popular vehicles evAr, pretty much any scanner, even if it doesnt come with the programmable (black) cartridges will come with a set of cartridges that work on OBD1 GM.
Otherwise if you are really in love with OBD1 GMs you can get a TECH 1 for $300-500 but it only does GM. You can get a TECH 2 for 800-1000 if you shop carefully and that will do anything you can imagine on a GM, Saab, Isuzu, and some John Deere equipment with Isuzu engines. Amazing stuff.
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March 20, 2009 7:56 p.m. pete240z Dork
93gsxturbo wrote:
OBD1 Scan Tool?
See above post RE: MT2500
Okay, Thanks. I apologize if I am using the wrong terminology.............
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March 21, 2009 12:01 p.m. erohslc New Reader
Alex Peper's stuff is hard to beat, interfaces with everything, been around since forever:
Carter
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March 21, 2009 12:52 p.m. sachilles Reader
I'm going to give this one a try. obd key It plugs in and communicates to a pda/smartphone or pc via bluetooth(I think Iphone too). In addition it will log data, and provided simulated gauges on the pda/smartphone. Price is just over a hundred bucks, and I already have a old pda it will work with. I found it when I discovered this freeware gps based lap timer, the software integrates with the obd2 device giving the user a ton of info. chrongps
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March 26, 2009 3:44 p.m. engled Dork
We picked up one of the USB scan tools from ebay for under $30.00 shipped. If you have already have a laptop this is the way to go.
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March 26, 2009 6:16 p.m. foxtrapper SuperDork
erohslc wrote:
Alex Peper's stuff is hard to beat, interfaces with everything, been around since forever:
Carter
Except for MY car! Flipp'n 98 Volvo's won't talk to anything apparently. Not Peper's software, not FCR, nothin. Just generic OBD codes.
