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DIY OBD Scanner

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jjgrappler

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May 28, 2017
Messages
69
What's everyone's go to for a entry level DIY type guy OBD reader tool? Just really want it to read and clear check engine lights on my vehicles. I was looking at the Zurich ones from Harbor Freight but it didn't seem too well recepted on here. Looked at the blue driver but I don't want to pay for each car either. Would like to keep it under a 100 if it is possible. Thanks in advance guys.
 
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countrybumpkin

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Apr 5, 2018
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84
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Cherry Valley IL
I have a few I use. Bluedriver has been the best bang for the buck for me honestly. Does ABS, SRS, CEL, and just about every other systems. Not sure what the extent of it's capabilities are as I have yet to push it to it's limits. One time fee with free updates. I have successfully used it for BMW, Chevrolet, Honda, Dodge, and Ford so far. Does an excellent job generating reports and works great for records and data tracking for my small shop use.

I have a separate obdlink unit is use with bimmercode for coding and tuning on the BMW.

For older Chevys, Ford's, and the Buells I use tunerproRT via laptop. All you need is a USB to OBD or generic ELM chipped transmitter for using 3rd party softwares.

I have a few others on the laptop I was trying to use to decide canbus but they didn't quite do what I wanted.

Really depends on what vehicle protocol you have and what you are wanting to do?


For simple troubleshooting I personally prefer the Bluetooth units due to me being able to use my phone or a tablet without a cable, screenshot / export / record data easily. The cheap wired scanners work great for just pulling codes and do just that.

For any more dedicated or sensitive work I would 10000% suggest a corded connection unit. Whether a laptop + software or dedicated hardware.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk
 
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dogdog

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Nov 15, 2011
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12,711
dependents on how deep of a DIY guy you are I guess... every vehicle have one of those functions that needed a universal or specialized scanner to access it like the TPMS/Airbag/ABS etc..

as for ODB... any $15 dongle would work fine...
 
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jjgrappler

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May 28, 2017
Messages
69
dogdog said:
dependents on how deep of a DIY guy you are I guess... every vehicle have one of those functions that needed a universal or specialized scanner to access it like the TPMS/Airbag/ABS etc..

as for ODB... any $15 dongle would work fine...
Click to expand...

I can do most of my own work. I have a CEL on my truck and forget which bank the O2 sensor went bad on. I want to be able to check and turn off the CEL at the minimum.
 
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jayoldschool

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Joined
Apr 23, 2006
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2,119
Location
Canada
Yep, 15 bucks and an android phone will get it done. I keep that in the car for on the road use, and use a SnapOn Solus for the important stuff.
 
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Shadowdog500

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Dec 7, 2009
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Location
Down the shore
I have a bluedriver and have no complaints. Scotty Kilmer recently said someone was working on a bi-directional bluedriver type of app. If that ever pans out and is affordable it will be my new favorite.
 
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MacMcMacmac

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Oct 21, 2014
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Location
canada
Anyone have a cost effective solution to turn off the airbag light on a 2010 Sonata? I broke up my right shoulder in November so I brought it to a Canadian Tire to have the winter tires put on. Idiot working on the car left the lights on and drained the battery. Airbag light has been on ever since. Found 3 loose lug nuts the next day and they charged me for 2 packs of lug nuts that were never installed. Never go to a Canadian Tire garage for anything!
 
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jayoldschool

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Apr 23, 2006
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2,119
Location
Canada
You can't just "turn off" a bag light. You need to fix the problem that is causing it to be on. And that won't just be a dead battery. You'll need a better scanner to get the air bag code. Since it happened at CT, go there, tell them you want it scanned and you want the code. Once you have that code, you can start the troubleshooting.

In Canada, you can get a decent inexpensive scanner that does bags and ABS at Princess Auto.
 
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mfewtrail

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Apr 14, 2011
Messages
675
Shadowdog500 said:
I have a bluedriver and have no complaints. Scotty Kilmer recently said someone was working on a bi-directional bluedriver type of app. If that ever pans out and is affordable it will be my new favorite.
Click to expand...

Autel has a dongle out that will do a few things like parking brake reset, idle relearn, injector coding, steering angle reset, etc. for about $50(under the hyper tough name at Walmart). $50 gets you the tool to use with one make of vehicle for life. Adding other makes is an additional twenty something dollars a year as a subscription. It will "scan all modules." AP200 is the Autel part number. HT200 is the Hyper Tough version from Walmart.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,106
Location
SE MI
Any scan tool that does not publish annual updates will be almost worthless within a few years. Plus, most of the "reasonably" priced ones will not do ABS or SRS, especially on anything over 10 years old.

A really good tool will at least display "real time" data and maybe even allow you to command certain actuators on or off.

The people who "make their living" (and they are making BIG BUCKS, $100/hr for just diagnosis) have multiple tools, including most of the ones from the major manufacturers (GM, Toyota, FCA, Ford, BMW, etc.)
 
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MacMcMacmac

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Oct 21, 2014
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Location
canada
Picked up an Autel 619 and turned off the airbag light no problem. All codes referred to low voltage and failure of the passenger airbag warning light not illuminating.
 
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jgromada

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Oct 13, 2011
Messages
1,017
Location
Maryland (between DC & Balt)
Torque app with Android device is terrific. worth the minimal amount of money. This is a no-brainer to get this even if you have a stand alone unit.

But it has its limitations and i think those limitations are more related to the add-ons that read the vehicle brand specific PIDS. I have had little success with those.
 
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setfocus

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Jan 15, 2020
Messages
413
Location
rust belt
I've never used blue driver but it doesn't look like it's bi-directional at all, which makes it more of a code reader with live data than a scan tool IMO

I've got a Launch Millennium 90 Pro, I call it a glorified code reader. It does engine codes on most anything and ABS/SRS on most common vehicles with live data. Has limited bi-directional controls for ABS bleeding, brake resets for pad sensors, electronic parking brake, oil resets, steering angle resets, and some EVAP controls

I bought it at my old shop, so I had something. The old snap-on Solus Pro shop scanner got stolen/lost and management wouldn't replace it. The Millennium is kind of a pain to use (no touch screen) and has no internal battery, start the car and sometimes it reboots. The new shop has a Solus Edge and I don't even bother with the code reader anymore
 
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clubairth

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Dec 24, 2014
Messages
263
As was posted above it depends on what your working on and how deep you need to go?

I have and use the Autel HT-200 mentioned above. It's the cheapest way I have found to turn off the service indicator in my 2014 Jaguar XJR. Otherwise it's a trip to the dealer or use my SDD (See Below).

I also have the full blown Jaguar SDD system that is exactly the same as what Jaguar uses in their dealerships. It's very complicated and PC based with no instructions or training because it's NOT made for the public. BUT with this I can do anything including coding new keys to a vehicle and flashing modules. This system is NOT for the weak hearted as you can brick the entire car if operated incorrectly!

Finally for general use I have the OBDLink MX+ adapter running with either Torque Pro (yes it's $5) or OBDLink software. In fact I carry this setup in my car since it's so quick and easy to use with my phone. Have reset and read codes in many people cars right in the parking lot at work too.

I use FORScan too but it's a bit dense to use and I recommend that for Fords and experienced users ONLY. It's free but the expanded version is paid but cheap.

https://forscan.org/home.html

Finally I did use the cheap $5 units off EBay for a long time and they can work too. But hit or miss so frustrating at times.
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Bighead38

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Nov 11, 2012
Messages
5,612
Location
Rockland County NY
setfocus said:
I've never used blue driver but it doesn't look like it's bi-directional at all, which makes it more of a code reader with live data than a scan tool IMO

I've got a Launch Millennium 90 Pro, I call it a glorified code reader. It does engine codes on most anything and ABS/SRS on most common vehicles with live data. Has limited bi-directional controls for ABS bleeding, brake resets for pad sensors, electronic parking brake, oil resets, steering angle resets, and some EVAP controls

I bought it at my old shop, so I had something. The old snap-on Solus Pro shop scanner got stolen/lost and management wouldn't replace it. The Millennium is kind of a pain to use (no touch screen) and has no internal battery, start the car and sometimes it reboots. The new shop has a Solus Edge and I don't even bother with the code reader anymore
Click to expand...

You actually reminded me. I need one that can do brake resets, is launch the best budget model for that?
 
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setfocus

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Jan 15, 2020
Messages
413
Location
rust belt
Bighead38 said:
You actually reminded me. I need one that can do brake resets, is launch the best budget model for that?
Click to expand...

I'd go with Launch or Autel, they both make a bunch of different models from basic code readers to ones with some bi-directional to full high end scanners. Snap-on makes great full on scanners too but their blue-point code reader type deal seems over priced
 
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