OBD II Scan tools
Does anyone know where I can find one of these things for less than $200? I have priced them locally and found no other alternatives. I drive a 1998 Ford escort and for no reason whatsoever the Check engine light came on about 2 days ago. thanks for the help!
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Also, your system is OBD2, not OBD. There is a major difference.
If the light is on, there is a problem somewhere.
Could be as simple as a loose gas cap or as complicated as an ECM problem. The thing you have to realize, is that the computer will try and compensate for a problem.
Now, for the scanners.....
Depends on want you want to do, what you want to work with, how much you want it to do and how much you want to spend.
There are handhelds that vary in price from $199-up. Most of these are basic code readers and nothing else.
Then there are the PC based scanners, that if you have a laptop, they are the best buy. They will pull the codes and some will do some diagnostics. These range from $79-$2,000.
Then there are the full on diagnostic scanners, OTC, Mac and Snap-On. These are in the several thousand dollar range.
Cheapy handhelds,
Actron - - -KAL
PC based,
AutoXray - - - CarCode - - - AutoTap - - - OBD Diagnostics
If you want to see what the CarCode one will do, here is a Product Review on that PC scanner.
The Carcode Scanner and the one from OBD Diagnostics are the best buy.
CarCode will do alot more than the one from OBD Diagnostics, but the one from OBD Diagnostics is really inexpensive.
Again, this is biased, but for my money, I would go with the CarCode unit, as their support is much better.
The only one of the scanners I listed that I haven't used is the AutoTap, but that was because the cost of it was considerably high compared to the other PC based scanners.
If you are unsure, then I would recommend that you go to the CarCode site
(obd-2.com) and e-mail Alex with any questions you have about his product. Read the article posted and then decide if it is what you want.
There is a download on obd-2.com that you can demo the program, see if it is something that you want to tackle.
It usually takes 3-5 days from when you order it from them, until you recieve it.
Thanks bunches!
Personally, for the $212, I would purchase all 3.
Alex has the ISO9141 listed as ISO. The TRICOM or INDO-3 is the best buy and will allow scanning of 96 and later vehicles of Ford, GM, Chrysler and some imports.
I posted this before, but here is a product review on the Carcode scanner. Scanner review
Thanks again for you help!
But........
The ABS system requires a different scanner and is quite expesive.
The scanners available will only retrieve trouble codes for the powertrain (engine, trans and emissions).
The diagnostic port will be under the dash on the driver's side.
If it is a diesel, the capabilities of the scanner will be quite limited, but will pull basic codes.
All automotive vehicles built after 1996 require a scanner to retrieve the trouble codes, with exception of a few imports and Chrysler vehicles with digital dashes.
That's a bummer about the ABS, kinda got that suspicion during my research tho. We lucked out on the LeSabre ABS problem, decided to try swapping what we knew to be a good relay with one of the 2 on the ABS and wah lah, problem solved, replaced both as a matter of preventative maintenance. Our luck with garages has been 0/4 in 17 years, if hubby can't find it, neither has the garage. He eventually found and repaired all 4 problems on his own. So the thought of being dependant on garages mortifies us.
The Ram is not a diesel so sounds like this software will be perfect.
Thanks Again for all your input! Have a great Holiday!
The plans are complete and concise and tech support answered all of my questions.
Now all I have to do is figure out how to fix a lean condition.