• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Code reader Thoughts

Share this page

JPSmit

JPSmit

Moderator
Staff member
Silver
Country flag
Offline
So the check engine light is on in my Wife's New Beetle. Went to a local garage and what they planned to charge me to hook up the code reader said to me that they weren't really interested in doing this and just wanted me to go away - which I did. All of which got me thinking about code readers - what is your experience with them? Can you reset the computer with them? How do I know what the codes mean etc. etc. Anyone want to enlighten me?

thanks
 
I have a code read. Will have to look and see who made it. Use you can reset after getting a code. The reader came with a book that has the code. You can go online for the codes. If you have the a service manual for the car the codes will be there. The only codes that I have not been able to read are when the airbag lights came on. My normal mechanic could not do anything for this and we had to go the dealer for the repairs.

Don
 
Thanks Don, next question - was just looking and see readers for as little as $30 (on sale) and up to about $300. The more expensive ones seem to have bigger screens, but.... (any thoughts)
 
Jp;
Code readers are a whole mixed up area.
Some will read proper codes and some "guess"
It depends on the make and year of vehicle, whether or not you can clear codes.
DO NOT get the cheap one, it is a waste of money.
Spend around $100 and it will usually give you a good idea what is wrong.You still may have to go to a dealer to get repairs or codes erased.
Hope this helps

Dave :savewave:
 
Just stumbled on to this thread. I've used a ScanGauge for several years. Can't say enough positive about it. Reads and clears codes, monitors systems, computes mpg for trip/day/tank, and more.

https://www.scangauge.com/

homehdr_2a.jpg


I did a review of this on an earlier thread in the Tools section.

One of the best $150 investments I ever made.

Tom
 
Cool! thanks. I should update here and say that the check engine light turned off by itself so, the necessity to get one has been delayed for a bit. We've had this before and somehow it was related to the gas cap. I'm almost certain it was the same thing again. Good news is that I can wait for one on sale.

Keep the advice coming though.
 
J-P - keep in mind that if the CEL goes off, it doesn't necessarily mean the code is "cleared". You can usually still use an OBD2 reader to find out what it is/was.

Tom
 
Good point - I'll need to check that out
 
I've used a few different scanner/reset tools, almost exclusively on BMWs though there should be some similarities to other cars (with OBDII, there's supposed to be...).

Peake Tools makes a code scanner reset tool that it very portable and takes up next to no room in the trunk of an ///M Rdstr. Very good product. They also make an SRS (airbag) reset tool, and I carry that on trips also. These are both about the size of a salt/pepper shaker. I have the adapter cable for the scan tool, so I can use either the 20-(21?)pinport under the hood, or the OBDII port inside the cabin.

AutoEnginuity makes a decent package that connects to your laptop (USB or serial port) and depending on the "enhanced" versions for a particular car, can get very deep into the codes and resetting of them, including SRS modules. Contact them for details on particular marques.

My current favorite, is AutoLogics, and is a stand alone computer. This one is a little bit beyond the scope here, but it also reads/resets just about anything on the car, as you's expect for about $10k (mine is a complimentary demo unit).

There are other laptop-based units, but their names escape me; GT1 perhaps?
 
OK, reviving the thread. First an update on the car. The trouble light came on again. Got the code read, said it was a sensor, replaced the sensor light came on again. At this point am just going to take it to a shop. But, this code reader is on sale: Code Reader

If you go to the reviews, one reviewer says, "Would recommend those serious about purchasing to look at one of the more advance models like the 3130, it is double the price but has 10 times the features that make diagnosing a problem that much easier and enjoyable." My question is, what are the 10X more features? Is it worth the extra cost for am guy like me who will rarely use it, or, do I go for the one that attaches to a laptop which is cheaper still. Does it have those "extra" features?

thanks all
 
MHO: Go for th' software.
 
DrEntropy said:
MHO: Go for th' software.
Click to expand...

By that you mean the one that attaches to the laptop?
 
Let's revive this topic, get this one back moving again! I'm another shmoe in laptop limbo with a need for an OB2 within reason. My 96 Volvo 850 glt wagon is messing with me, and I want to mess back. Preferably Mac compatible! Thanks in advance --elrey
 
As I already have a laptop should I invest in something like the Crescent for 40 bucks or go with a stand alone Actron type? I have access to top flight tools but prefer to be self sufficient. Funds are tight. Nearly lost my shirt but HUNG ONTO THE HEALEY!!! Priorities you know.--elrey
 
No direct experience, but I agree with "Doc", go for the software. With less money wrapped up in just the hardware, the software can be more complete, easier to use, etc. and still cost less money.

Can't help with which one, but since OBD-II is CAN bus, all of them have to come with a CAN bus adapter.
 
Thanx Randall. That makes sense, and I'm fond of the more for less aspect as well. I've been in the 50's and 60's car-wise until this Volvo. It's funny, I finally buy a laptop and a Volvo an the next thing you know i've got to use the laptop to fix the car. This luddite is being dragged into the 90's. I can feel the 21st century beckoning! :crazyeyes: --elrey
 
Back
Top