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OBD readers.

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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #1  
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OBD readers.

I'm considering buying one of these for my vehicles. The Taurus engine light is on again. SO I would like one to solve these problems.
My question is which one is the best for its buck and who sells it.
I don't want a cheap one that I need to plug into a computer afterwards. I also do not want the $3000 one with all the bells and whistles. I like one that I can see it showing me what problem is from the vehicle, without disconnecting and going to a computer.I figure one from 100 to 300 for home use should be fine.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2010 | 11:23 PM
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Wish I could help ya out Glen, ive always used cheapies and then looked up hte codes online.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 08:25 AM
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None of the small hand held scanners will give a description of what the code means. Only the full on Scan Tools will. My brother has a little one I think he paid $75 and came with a book. Just have to read the code and look in the book to get a description.

For a diagnostic repair of the code would still require a shop manual or the internet.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by 51dueller
None of the small hand held scanners will give a description of what the code means. Only the full on Scan Tools will. My brother has a little one I think he paid $75 and came with a book. Just have to read the code and look in the book to get a description.

For a diagnostic repair of the code would still require a shop manual or the internet.
This is what I have and it works pretty good. Picked it up at Parts source a few years ago.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 08:13 PM
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I like one that will at least give me a code. A guy at work got a Canadian tire one. It does not give him a code, but flashing lights in a pattern so he has to watch the lights and from that look up what the number of flashes mean in a code book.
SO I like one that at least will show a code number and then I can look it up.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 09:07 PM
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They have them at Princess Auto from time to time for a good price.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 10:27 PM
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I seen them there also. The thing is which one is a good reliable OBD reader. I like to get a good quality one. I do not know much about them or which brand is the brand a person should try and get.
 
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Old Feb 22, 2010 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by 66gpw
I seen them there also. The thing is which one is a good reliable OBD reader. I like to get a good quality one. I do not know much about or which brand is the brand a person should try and get.
Glen,
I just bought a Innova Equus 3130 scantool obd 2, with a back light.
It comes with the book and a cd.
It wasn't the one I was looking for.
But I needed one fast.
It was the only one Canadian tire had ,that was worth anything so I bought it for the time being.
So far it seems to be pretty good. But I'll let you know how it goes.
I believe I paid around $250. Apparently, Innova is making a new one in about six months or so. It will work on all of them (including pre 1996 vehicles). It also has the ability to read all codes and scan the tranny,abs for codes.
 
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Old Feb 23, 2010 | 08:50 AM
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Just don't get one that tries to do all obd1 and obd2. obd1 is sort of a crap shoot as there are about 15 connectors required to read codes from all vehicles. Get a good obd2 and if you need obd1 just get one specific for that.
 
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Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:24 AM
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I had an OBD one, And it worked very well.Until I let my daughter's boyfriend use it.The OBD1 gave me the code #,I crossed it in the code book it was easy. I went on to their(Innova) website ,looked at all I could.
I am no expert by any means, but I did do my homework. And I found that Innova brand will work for me the best. If you can I recommend you get one with the back lighting makes life a lot easier. Or wait for that three and one that's coming out. That way you'll be able to read the old cars as well as new ones. Seeing that my old scanner no longer works. I will probably buy one of the three in ones when they come out.
on the Innova's website I checked out all the different models that they had to offer. After getting more confused on which one was going to work best for me I gave them a call. Their customer service was very helpful and courteous. They answered all my questions and help me make a decision. So I bought there 3130 ,it has a back lighting and an optional ABS upgrade.I did try to get 3160 but unfortunately Canadian tire only had 3130.
You can go on their website at WWW.CANOBD2.COM or call them at 1-800-544-4124 between 5 AM and 6 PM Monday to Friday PST.Good luck with your shopping Glen
 
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Old Feb 23, 2010 | 09:41 PM
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I checked the Canadian Tire web site. They do not seem to have a 3140. But they do sell a 3120 that does OBD1 ANd OBD2 vehicles. They do not have the newer version of CAN scanners.
The price they showed for the 3120 was 299.00 So I may go for that one. That way I can check my 85 and 86 trucks.
Now just waiting for my return from taxes.
 
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Old Feb 23, 2010 | 10:38 PM
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As far as I know, Red Deer Canadian stocks four types of scanners.
If they're out, they will order what you need.
I checked my 3130, looks like I paid about the same as what you said.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 11:20 AM
  #13  
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I have the Innova 3100e from Canadian Tire.When I bought it they were on sale for around $100.It gives you the codes and you look it up in the book or you can hook it to your computer.I find you can sometimes get more info though by simply Googling the codes and your vehicle.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 05:19 PM
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From what I seen online of the Innovas. I think I will go for the 3120. It reads 1 and 2 OBD's. Just to cover the 80's stuff I have and new stuff also.
 
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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 09:13 PM
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Innova does have a lot of models to choose from on their website. That makes it easier to choose a model that works for your application. Their user guide has an easy-to-use Product application list.
 
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