Reasonably Priced OBDII Scanner
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chesapeake VA
Looking For Reasonably Priced OBDII Scanner
I was drooling at the Snap-On web site this morning. Wouldn't it be great to own the MODIS Modular Diagnostic Information System. Hey, it's only $7,199! Not to mention all the available options.
So, I lowered my sights a bit and looked at the Snap-on OBDII microscan. Still $750.
So my question is, Is there a fully-functional, reasonably-priced OBDII scanner that would work for BOTH my '91 Ranger and my '04 F150? Please include brand, original mfr web site (if available), and price.
Thanks in advance!
So, I lowered my sights a bit and looked at the Snap-on OBDII microscan. Still $750.
So my question is, Is there a fully-functional, reasonably-priced OBDII scanner that would work for BOTH my '91 Ranger and my '04 F150? Please include brand, original mfr web site (if available), and price.
Thanks in advance!
Last edited by dusty1; Apr 11, 2004 at 07:09 AM.
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You can get an OBD II scanner at Auto Zone for $150. I bought one there. Hope you have one near you. Not sure if you can get it to work with the old OBD I...might have to buy something extra for that. OBD II is on the newer cars. Here's the brand I bought at autozone: http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...=3365174_48925
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Marple Township, PA
The exact Actron scanner that Lariatf150 is referring to is on sale now at Pep Boys for $99.00. I bought one yesterday. The same model is available at Sears, but they wanted $159.00.
The Actron scanner will work on any post-96 vehicle, since all were required to have OBDII (more detailed fault reporting). Your 91 Ranger only has limited reporting, maybe not even OBDI, but the Actron scanner will report whatever your computer has to offer.
These scanners are a great tool to have; you can reset those annoying "maint req'd" lights (those that come on after a certain number of miles, flagging oil change req'd) to resetting the Malfunction Indicator Light (check eng). They work on ANY OBDII vehicle, so if you have alot of different horses in your corral, you can deal with any of them.
Of course, if there is a hard fault in any system that is setting off the MIL lamp, you have to repair it. But the scanner will help isolate the specific sensor that's causing it. I want to do some troubleshooting of my own before turning the vehicle over to the dealer, and a scanner will help you understand your vehicles operations better.
The Actron scanner will work on any post-96 vehicle, since all were required to have OBDII (more detailed fault reporting). Your 91 Ranger only has limited reporting, maybe not even OBDI, but the Actron scanner will report whatever your computer has to offer.
These scanners are a great tool to have; you can reset those annoying "maint req'd" lights (those that come on after a certain number of miles, flagging oil change req'd) to resetting the Malfunction Indicator Light (check eng). They work on ANY OBDII vehicle, so if you have alot of different horses in your corral, you can deal with any of them.
Of course, if there is a hard fault in any system that is setting off the MIL lamp, you have to repair it. But the scanner will help isolate the specific sensor that's causing it. I want to do some troubleshooting of my own before turning the vehicle over to the dealer, and a scanner will help you understand your vehicles operations better.
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On a pre-OBDII Chevy Beretta I had (1990), you could put a jumper between two posts in the terminal and make the check engine light flash the codes. Maybe there's something like that on the 91 Ranger. I don't know.
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Make sure what you purchase has the updates for the '04.
I have the $Snap-on$...but don't have the newer modules. It works great for my other rigs, especially the diesels. It'll tell you more than you want to know. I found it at a garage sale for under $2K.
I have the $Snap-on$...but don't have the newer modules. It works great for my other rigs, especially the diesels. It'll tell you more than you want to know. I found it at a garage sale for under $2K.
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Senior User
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From: Chesapeake VA
Thanks for the posts. There isn't a Pep Boys around here, but there's an AutoZone just down the street.
CruelCrew,
That's quite a bit of good fortune, finding a Snap-on scanner for under $2K. Someone was smiling down on you that day!
Thanks for the posts!
CruelCrew,
That's quite a bit of good fortune, finding a Snap-on scanner for under $2K. Someone was smiling down on you that day!
Thanks for the posts!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Chesapeake VA
This is probably a silly question, but do I plug the Actron scanner in the socket under the dash, or is there a hookup under the hood, or both?
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Under the dash. You'll see the plug that matches the plug on your scanner. I haven't seen the one under the hood or even knew about it. Federal law says they must put a connector under the dash somewhere.
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