Ideas for good/cheap tuner-code reader?
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 35
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From: Albuquerque
Ideas for good/cheap tuner-code reader?
I want to be able to troubleshoot the issues OlBlue is gonna develop.
Could anyone suggest a good tuner-reader?
I am developing into a pretty good mechanic...for my own stuff. I'll stick to the Financial Advising/Loan Officer stuff as a full time gig. I find that I truly enjoy wrenching on her, a Zen sort of thing.
The PO did no maint. except religioius 3 mo. oil changes, no matter what the miles are and since he used the truck sparingly and not at all since he got an 08 SD 250 5.4l, there were not many miles. He also had the tranny (E4OD) serviced at each oil change. So with no rust in the desert non-issue, she has pretty great bones for an old gal.
Things such as bulb replacement, possibly original shocks!!!, poor tint job, clearcoat spider cracks, 12 rock chips in the front windsheild, rotting serpentine belt, funky interior, and others were not addressed with the same zeal shown to oil changes and tranny checks.
These are things I can fix and have already started...it is fun.
Could anyone suggest a good tuner-reader?
I am developing into a pretty good mechanic...for my own stuff. I'll stick to the Financial Advising/Loan Officer stuff as a full time gig. I find that I truly enjoy wrenching on her, a Zen sort of thing.
The PO did no maint. except religioius 3 mo. oil changes, no matter what the miles are and since he used the truck sparingly and not at all since he got an 08 SD 250 5.4l, there were not many miles. He also had the tranny (E4OD) serviced at each oil change. So with no rust in the desert non-issue, she has pretty great bones for an old gal.
Things such as bulb replacement, possibly original shocks!!!, poor tint job, clearcoat spider cracks, 12 rock chips in the front windsheild, rotting serpentine belt, funky interior, and others were not addressed with the same zeal shown to oil changes and tranny checks.
These are things I can fix and have already started...it is fun.
Last edited by wiggy762; Nov 8, 2007 at 12:44 AM. Reason: cannot spell
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
On a 96 you've got OBD-II which isn't going to be quite as cheap as OBD-I for a code reader... Here's the cheapest bottom of the line OBD-II reader at Kragen:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...egoryCode=3389
Not a bad price but... OBD-II is capable of giving you a lot of information and you probably aren't going to get it all with a cheap reader like that. Theres others at Kragen for upwards of $300-700
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...egoryCode=3389
Not a bad price but... OBD-II is capable of giving you a lot of information and you probably aren't going to get it all with a cheap reader like that. Theres others at Kragen for upwards of $300-700
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 212
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From: Arizona
Check online, Amazon has lots of OBD-II readers in 60-150 dollar range that are very good. It depends what you want, you can spend 250 and get most everything, but otherwise I know people that have bought $60 dollar ones from there and are satisfied. I will try and find the models they have and like. $60-150 pays for itself fast and most garages charge 20-35 dollars for a code read, with the latter figure being closer to the truth.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,265
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i had this in my ranger. loved it and would buy it in a heartbeat if i could hook it up (OBD 1).
http://scangauge.com
doubles as all your gauges
http://scangauge.com
doubles as all your gauges
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,265
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Originally Posted by Duceswild
hey tomtoc do they possibly have that scan gauge for an OBD I which i assume is what my 89 f 150 would be
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 13
From: Sand Lake, MI
I bought one of these,
http://obddiagnostics.com/
Connects to a laptop (any computer) and reads all makes.
I figured why buy another "computer" when I already own several.
Works great!
http://obddiagnostics.com/
Connects to a laptop (any computer) and reads all makes.
I figured why buy another "computer" when I already own several.
Works great!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Redmond, WA
AutoXray 6000.
Worth every nickel ($250) and compatible with OBD1 and 2.
1. No more back probing wires. (TPS, IAC, MAP, HEGO etc. etc. voltage can be accessed via plugging into service port)
2. Data logging solution
3. Complete diagnostics
4. Compatible with tuning setups as well.
5. Scalable and updated via BIOS setups from manufacturer. (i.e. this will continue to work for vehicles to come!)
Hope this helps,
Mike
Worth every nickel ($250) and compatible with OBD1 and 2.
1. No more back probing wires. (TPS, IAC, MAP, HEGO etc. etc. voltage can be accessed via plugging into service port)
2. Data logging solution
3. Complete diagnostics
4. Compatible with tuning setups as well.
5. Scalable and updated via BIOS setups from manufacturer. (i.e. this will continue to work for vehicles to come!)
Hope this helps,
Mike
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs
Originally Posted by tomtoc
i had this in my ranger. loved it and would buy it in a heartbeat if i could hook it up (OBD 1).
http://scangauge.com
doubles as all your gauges
http://scangauge.com
doubles as all your gauges
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Springs
Originally Posted by Skandocious
Mike that looks like a pretty nice scanner... Where did you pick it up for $250!? Even on ebay they're more than that. Retail is $700.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 1
From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
I spoke too soon. Amazon.com has it for $251... But the people who reviewed it didn't like it very much...
http://www.amazon.com/AutoXray-EZ-Read-6000-Code-Reader/dp/B0002SQXOM/ref=sr_1_1/002-8617443-6524807?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1194561625&sr=1-1
http://www.amazon.com/AutoXray-EZ-Read-6000-Code-Reader/dp/B0002SQXOM/ref=sr_1_1/002-8617443-6524807?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1194561625&sr=1-1
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 843
Likes: 1
From: Redmond, WA
Originally Posted by Skandocious
Mike that looks like a pretty nice scanner... Where did you pick it up for $250!? Even on ebay they're more than that. Retail is $700.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AutoX...spagenameZWDVW