Best DIY scanner tool

[ATTappman]

I was actually surprised at how many systems the Autel did active make-specific tests on.

"Active make-specific tests" seems to me to imply bidirectional controls. In your earlier post you said you could hear it turning engine parts on and off while doing its auto scan. Is it possible you could be mistaken about this? You also mentioned a "full diagnosis" which I interpreted to mean a scan of all the modules on the car for diagnostic codes. Is that correct?

A MaxiDAS DS708 will do an "auto scan," which simply means it queries all the modules on the car for diagnostic codes. As far as I know it doesn't turn any engine parts on or off while it's doing this. With a different menu selection you can perform "active tests," which means you can do things like turn solenoids and injectors on and off, turn the fuel pump off, etc. Bidirectional controls, in other words. But it will NOT do these things automatically as part of the auto scan. In fact it would be scary and dangerous to have a scan tool turning engine parts on and off without the operator specifically commanding the test.

So from your posts it sounds as if the Autel MD802 has functionality that the MaxiDAS DS708 doesn't have (turning engine parts on and off as part of the auto scan). I question whether this is true so I either misunderstood your posts or the MD802 has some bidirectional capability that it uses while it's doing an auto scan. The reason I'm asking is that Autel doesn't do a very good job of clearly defining the differences between their products (their TPMS tools for example) so I'm wondering exactly what the MD802 can't do that the MaxiDAS DS708 can.

 

[Subyroo651]

ATTappman, I think you may be spot on with your understanding.

I haven't seen mine actively test anything, it just reads the data from the modules. The DS708 does have a specific menu for Active Tests. The MD802 does make noises of its own(internally) like a relay clicks when its scanning. My guess is that might be mistaken for testing modules.. again, just my guess.

 

[zakmartin]

I question whether this is true so I either misunderstood your posts or the MD802 has some bidirectional capability that it uses while it's doing an auto scan. The reason I'm asking is that Autel doesn't do a very good job of clearly defining the differences between their products (their TPMS tools for example) so I'm wondering exactly what the MD802 can't do that the MaxiDAS DS708 can.

Question whatever you want. Buy it, try it, if you don't like it, return it. I'm just posting what I observed. I heard noises from the engine bay and the modules, which are things none of my other scan tools ever did.

 

[ATTappman]

Question whatever you want. Buy it, try it, if you don't like it, return it. I'm just posting what I observed. I heard noises from the engine bay and the modules, which are things none of my other scan tools ever did.

I already have a DS708 so I don't need an MD802. I posted my questions because I'm curious about why an MD802 would "turn things on an off" in the engine bay when doing a scan. You said you hooked it up to several cars - did you hear the same noises on all of them, or was it just one make and model? Does the manual say anything about exactly what commands it was sending to the PCM to make those noises?

I don't believe that an MD802 intentionally causes anything to happen in the engine bay while it's scanning the modules, and I don't think any of the modules themselves would make noise while being scanned. So I think either you are mistaken, or there are bugs in the MD802. If I'm wrong about that I'm sure someone will independently correct me. I don't intend for this to sound like an insult, but I also wouldn't want someone to spend money on an MD802 thinking they are going to get a tool that can send commands to a PCM to turn anything on or off except a MIL. I believe the MD802 is just the DS708 minus the larger screen and the bidirectional controls. If a DS708 ever turns anything on or off during a scan I've never observed that on the few cars I've hooked it up to, and I would consider it a bug if I did.

 

[jtbinvalrico]

Autel AL 619.......about $140. Does SRS and ABS and all that graphing jazz too.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

So I am between the Autel 802 and the INNOVA 3160... Can't seem to figure out which is better?

This is for personal use... I'd love to drop $1000+ for a tool but reality is I wouldn't make use of it for home use...

Do both of these go through all 10 modes? I'd like to be able to check for evap systems on my wifes car... and since both of these are very similar in price, just wondering what is best?

I use Torque Pro as well and that's nice for seeing codes and clearing them... but not more of the technical systems.

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[royesses]

The MD-802 is an All systems scanner. The 3160 is not. The Autel is by far the better scanner. If you get one, purchase a 16 or 32 Gig SDHC UHS-I memory card and copy the 4 gig card to it. Walmart sells the 16 and 32 gig cards cheap. I have the 32 gig. Save the 4 gig card as a back up and then you can update every vehicle on the new card with enough space left to store anything you will ever need. Then you can copy the updated new card to your hard drive as a fully updated replacement backup. The 4 gig card is just too small. All serial numbers are on the original card and it is important to back it up.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Awesome thank you!

Makes you wonder why someone would buy the 3160 over the md-802 then since the price is so similar.

Thanks for the info!
Going to order next week and I am almost positive I have a 32gb card laying around here from my tablet that isn't used anymore! w00t w00t!

-Nigel

 

[TTLLOGIC]

<iframe src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8kcpMuFAFCwZC1UOG1HSUc1aTA/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

I know its over the price range, but I love it. I even can use it on all the newer propane/gasoline forklifts.

 

[Rico.]

So your recommendation for the best DIY scan tool under $200
is a Snap-On Solus Ultra....


Well lets just hope that the OP hasn't rushed out and bought one
already, after 2 and a half years.

 

[royesses]

Awesome thank you!

Makes you wonder why someone would buy the 3160 over the md-802 then since the price is so similar.

Thanks for the info!
Going to order next week and I am almost positive I have a 32gb card laying around here from my tablet that isn't used anymore! w00t w00t!

-Nigel

When you get the 802 follow the instructions to install the software. This will allow you to update. Copy the card to your 32GB first. Don't update the original card, save that card in a safe place in case your working card and your backup go **** up. Then update the 32GB card. Many guys on the web are asking for an original card since their dog ate theirs.

If you get error messages about not connecting to the update site, check your firewall settings. My hardware firewall must be set on low or no security to get the update. After I do the update I set it back on high security. Also you may need to allow the updater on any software firewall you are running. After I update my card I copy to my hard disc drive in a folder I labeled newest updates. With all this backup I'm pretty sure my dog won't eat my card and render the 802 useless. The bad news:
It can take an hour or more to update from the internet and about the same time to copy or back up the cards. You will also get to update the computer software when it is available. That goes very quickly. Also Autel has a list of ports and ip's that they use on the help/forum/user pages. I've tried to allow them on my firewall but it still won't work. So I'm still setting the firewall to low security for updates.

Hopefully no one will get pissed off that I am telling you all this. I think it's a lot better than trying to find out on your own.

When I plugged the 802 into my 2002 Denali I was amazed at all the systems and cpu's it came up with. Even reads the Bose system and tests it(limited tests that you can't control). It is a very nice scanner.

Roy

 

[TTLLOGIC]

So your recommendation for the best DIY scan tool under $200
is a Snap-On Solus Ultra....


Well lets just hope that the OP hasn't rushed out and bought one
already, after 2 and a half years.

With a heavy sarcasm, sure. maybe they have saved up their money or are ready to upgrade from what ever "DIY" unit they might have purchased. You never know

 

[Trey T]

For Toyota or Lexus, get Techstream and cable from eBay for about $30-50. It's an OEM scantool but pirated. It allows for 95% control of ECU and BECU. It can read OBDII of any car and able to provide very good data on the car.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

When you get the 802 follow the instructions to install the software. This will allow you to update. Copy the card to your 32GB first. Don't update the original card, save that card in a safe place in case your working card and your backup go **** up. Then update the 32GB card. Many guys on the web are asking for an original card since their dog ate theirs.

If you get error messages about not connecting to the update site, check your firewall settings. My hardware firewall must be set on low or no security to get the update. After I do the update I set it back on high security. Also you may need to allow the updater on any software firewall you are running. After I update my card I copy to my hard disc drive in a folder I labeled newest updates. With all this backup I'm pretty sure my dog won't eat my card and render the 802 useless. The bad news:
It can take an hour or more to update from the internet and about the same time to copy or back up the cards. You will also get to update the computer software when it is available. That goes very quickly. Also Autel has a list of ports and ip's that they use on the help/forum/user pages. I've tried to allow them on my firewall but it still won't work. So I'm still setting the firewall to low security for updates.

Hopefully no one will get pissed off that I am telling you all this. I think it's a lot better than trying to find out on your own.

When I plugged the 802 into my 2002 Denali I was amazed at all the systems and cpu's it came up with. Even reads the Bose system and tests it(limited tests that you can't control). It is a very nice scanner.

Roy

Roy,

Thanks for the info! I should have the md802 by Friday! Can't wait to try it!

Looking at 32gb cards since I thought I had one but didn't which one did you go with?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M55BMBE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Hard to beat for $15... I'm prolly going to get that one. I see they have faster cards but honestly since I'm sure the md802 doesn't use Class 3 speeds, I'm sure it won't read/write at 60MB/s and 30MB/s....

so pretty much just copy the entire contents of the 4gb standard card onto the 32gb card. Then put the 32gb card in the reader, and follow the updating procedures via the software?

Thanks much,
-Nigel

 

[ADSR]

When you get the 802 follow the instructions to install the software. This will allow you to update. Copy the card to your 32GB first. Don't update the original card, save that card in a safe place in case your working card and your backup go **** up. Then update the 32GB card. Many guys on the web are asking for an original card since their dog ate theirs.

If you get error messages about not connecting to the update site, check your firewall settings. My hardware firewall must be set on low or no security to get the update. After I do the update I set it back on high security. Also you may need to allow the updater on any software firewall you are running. After I update my card I copy to my hard disc drive in a folder I labeled newest updates. With all this backup I'm pretty sure my dog won't eat my card and render the 802 useless. The bad news:
It can take an hour or more to update from the internet and about the same time to copy or back up the cards. You will also get to update the computer software when it is available. That goes very quickly. Also Autel has a list of ports and ip's that they use on the help/forum/user pages. I've tried to allow them on my firewall but it still won't work. So I'm still setting the firewall to low security for updates.

Hopefully no one will get pissed off that I am telling you all this. I think it's a lot better than trying to find out on your own.

When I plugged the 802 into my 2002 Denali I was amazed at all the systems and cpu's it came up with. Even reads the Bose system and tests it(limited tests that you can't control). It is a very nice scanner.

Roy

great info! Thank you very much

 

[royesses]

Roy,

Thanks for the info! I should have the md802 by Friday! Can't wait to try it!

Looking at 32gb cards since I thought I had one but didn't which one did you go with?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M55BMBE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Hard to beat for $15... I'm prolly going to get that one. I see they have faster cards but honestly since I'm sure the md802 doesn't use Class 3 speeds, I'm sure it won't read/write at 60MB/s and 30MB/s....

so pretty much just copy the entire contents of the 4gb standard card onto the 32gb card. Then put the 32gb card in the reader, and follow the updating procedures via the software?

Thanks much,
-Nigel

I went with the Ultra plus version:
SanDisk Ultra Plus 32GB Class 10 SDHC

Either will work fine.

 

[royesses]

great info! Thank you very much

You are welcome.