Need recommendations for OBD tool
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Junior User
Joined: May 2007
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Need recommendations for OBD tool
I'm looking to buy an OBD tool and have come across a few - can anyone provide reviews for them or recommend others?
Actron 9150 Kit (OBD 1&2- $156
Actron 9180 (OBD 2) - $126
Equus 3120 (OBD 1&2)- $149
Equus 3130 (OBD 2) - $149
I have a '98 Expy EB 5.4 and do not care about older model vehicles (OBD 1), but if it's a value to have for the price, I'll consider it. Any recommendations?
Thanks for your help.
p.s. I'm not that familiar with OBD scanners/readers, but can they be used to view electrical issues (shorts and such)? What's the difference between an OBD "scanner" and a "reader"?
Actron 9150 Kit (OBD 1&2- $156
Actron 9180 (OBD 2) - $126
Equus 3120 (OBD 1&2)- $149
Equus 3130 (OBD 2) - $149
I have a '98 Expy EB 5.4 and do not care about older model vehicles (OBD 1), but if it's a value to have for the price, I'll consider it. Any recommendations?
Thanks for your help.
p.s. I'm not that familiar with OBD scanners/readers, but can they be used to view electrical issues (shorts and such)? What's the difference between an OBD "scanner" and a "reader"?
Last edited by maldbwmjr; Nov 27, 2007 at 08:36 AM.
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Originally Posted by NavyXLT
I have an AutoXray. It works pretty good. I think I paid ~ $200, but, you ca find them on ebay for a bit less.
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I have the CodeScout 700 OBD-II Code Reader and paid approx 70 bucks. It will give you the codes that the vehicle computer has captued as well as clear the CEL. The more expensive tools do more than just read the codes. A scanner will give you a more in depth look with more parameters. I know my reader will not fix my problems but points me in the right direction and the ability to clear that check engine light has certainly caught my friends interest. It beats going to a garage to find out the gas cap is loose.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 296
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From: north carolina
Check out this site: www.obd-2.com
If you have a laptop, this software and interface cable alternative to "canned" hand-held scanners is pretty comprehensive and cost competitive. Not many of the hand-helds do the enhanced diagnostics, such as GEM, body, transmission, etc.
I will say its not the most "user friendly", but complete data was more important to me than look and feel.
If you have a laptop, this software and interface cable alternative to "canned" hand-held scanners is pretty comprehensive and cost competitive. Not many of the hand-helds do the enhanced diagnostics, such as GEM, body, transmission, etc.
I will say its not the most "user friendly", but complete data was more important to me than look and feel.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Chesapeake, va
Check out Auto Enginuity
If you already have a laptop you might want to check out this website. Good support and much more capability that the scan tool that reset the light and gives you a code.
www.autoenginuity.com
www.autoenginuity.com
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From: MA
I have the Actron 9180 and it has paid for itself. I used it to find the coil pack problem and a few other problems on the other cars we have. Basically it serves the purpose. I would love to have the software type OBD like the autoenginuity but if I have a major problem like that I would end up taking hte vehicle into the shop as I don't have the time to dig that deep for the real oddball problems.
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