Not another scan tool thread!!!

[Ohmthis]

I’ve been looking for a newer scan tool. I was wanting a bi directional tool, but with the advent of electric parking brakes, electric steering, and a plethora of body modules I believe I’m wanting more as well. I want the ability to reset the ecu/pcm/tcm or other transmission control units. If a TCM/transmission is repaired or replaced it usually must be reset (I don’t want to call it reflashed, but I’ve heard it referred as that). So, for those that have a vast knowledge of these tools, what am I looking for? I have an Autel 619 that has been a great tool, it’s just time for an upgrade. Thanks guys

 

[Wrench97]

What brands and models do you mostly work on?

Snap On if your in the business, Autel is a good tool also for DIY take a look at the MS808S

 

[BrandonV]

What sort of vehicles are you working on?

I only buy Hondas so buying a dongle for $300 and renting the software for a day every now and then is the best solution. Some brands work like this others pretty much force the DIY community to resort to 3rd party tools like the Autel 808.

 

[Ohmthis]

What sort of vehicles are you working on?

I only buy Hondas so buying a dongle for $300 and renting the software for a day every now and then is the best solution. Some brands work like this others pretty much force the DIY community to resort to 3rd party tools like the Autel 808.

GM and ford right now! I’m not opposed to a 3rd party tool, i Just need to know which one. How do you “rent” the software? And how do you connect the dongle, laptop?

 

[BrandonV]

GM and ford right now! I’m not opposed to a 3rd party tool, i Just need to know which one. How do you “rent” the software? And how do you connect the dongle, laptop?

So, in the case of Honda the dongle I found used on eBay for $300-400. Honda for $45 gives me 1 day access to i-HDS. Dongle plugs in via USB and you download i-HDS from Honda.

If you need access all the time this method is probably not great.

For Ford I would look at FORScan. It should do everything you're looking for way under $100 (dongle & software). FORScan has almost all the capabilities of the Ford diagnostic system.

 

[Ohmthis]

Thanks Brandon

 

[BrandonV]

Thanks Brandon

Not sure what one does with GM. I only have experience ironically with Honda & Ford.

The Autel 808 has been useful for doing some bidirectional stuff for me.

 

[ZRX61]

I just bought & returned an Autel 619. They advertised that it worked on 2023/2024 models. Truth of the matter is that useless POS didn't work on ANY vehicle made 2020 & later... and neither did any other scanner advertised for 2023/2024 vehicles on Amazon... unless I wanted to spend 4x as much.

Didn't help matters that Autel's website is such a shitshow that it informed me that my ******* name wasn't a real name when I tried to download a manual for it... which it turns out, wasn't listed on their website anyway.

 

[BrandonV]

I just bought & returned an Autel 619. They advertised that it worked on 2023/2024 models. Truth of the matter is that useless POS didn't work on ANY vehicle made 2020 & later... and neither did any other scanner advertised for 2023/2024 vehicles on Amazon... unless I wanted to spend 4x as much.

Didn't help matters that Autel's website is such a shitshow that it informed me that my ******* name wasn't a real name when I tried to download a manual for it... which it turns out, wasn't listed on their website anyway.

If you don't mind me asking where did you buy the unit from? An authorized Autel dealer or somewhere else? There are a lot of gray market units which are questionable at best.

 

[Ohmthis]

I just bought & returned an Autel 619. They advertised that it worked on 2023/2024 models. Truth of the matter is that useless POS didn't work on ANY vehicle made 2020 & later... and neither did any other scanner advertised for 2023/2024 vehicles on Amazon... unless I wanted to spend 4x as much.

Didn't help matters that Autel's website is such a shitshow that it informed me that my ******* name wasn't a real name when I tried to download a manual for it... which it turns out, wasn't listed on their website anyway.

My 619 is well over 10 yo, if not older. I have done an update or two throughout the years and that has helped it. It’s a great ”basic” scan tool. There are easily cheaper alternatives.

 

[ZRX61]

If you don't mind me asking where did you buy the unit from? An authorized Autel dealer or somewhere else? There are a lot of gray market units which are questionable at best.

Autels store on Amazon

 

[BrandonV]

Autels store on Amazon

Bummer. The 619 can be a bit of a PITA to update since you need the standalone software to do it.

 

[ZRX61]

My 619 is well over 10 yo, if not older. I have done an update or two throughout the years and that has helped it. It’s a great ”basic” scan tool. There are easily cheaper alternatives.

I have an Autel ML629, which worked just fine on the '11 Camaro & '04 Accord, but can't talk to a 2020 Explorer. That 619 I just returned was great on the Accord, did much more than the 629..... But I need something that can talk to the Explorer.

 

[BrandonV]

I have an Autel ML629, which worked just fine on the '11 Camaro & '04 Accord, but can't talk to a 2020 Explorer. That 619 I just returned was great on the Accord, did much more than the 629..... But I need something that can talk to the Explorer.

Bummer. I really like FORScan for any Ford. Actually feels like I can do "real" things.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I’ve been looking for a newer scan tool. I was wanting a bi directional tool, but with the advent of electric parking brakes, electric steering, and a plethora of body modules I believe I’m wanting more as well. I want the ability to reset the ecu/pcm/tcm or other transmission control units. If a TCM/transmission is repaired or replaced it usually must be reset (I don’t want to call it reflashed, but I’ve heard it referred as that). So, for those that have a vast knowledge of these tools, what am I looking for? I have an Autel 619 that has been a great tool, it’s just time for an upgrade. Thanks guys

Topdon phoenix lite 2 is about as cheap as you'll get into a "known name" bidirectional. https://www.aeswave.com/Topdon-Phoenix-Lite-2-p10173.html

For my money if sticking with Autel you want the 906-pro models, the old 906 platform is pretty dated by now.

Reflashing software, modifying it, is another tool/process entirely. Look into whether you want to simply clear adaptives/learned values via a scan tool, or actually VIN match and initialize blank TCMs. You can initialize -some- modules with a scan tool. It's documented pretty poorly as to whether it can be done or not until you plug in a scan tool and try. There is some..... trouble brewing related to AutoAuth and tools that don't fall under the big names of Launch/Autel/Snap on. My topdon works fine with Autoauth, despite there being concerns/issues about tools working properly. The Phoenix lite 2 is CanFD/DoiP compatible. Consider CanFD/Doip depending on what you work on.


I have an older Autel 906, the phoenix lite 2, and a snap on zeus. They're all great tools, and they all let you down. I mostly use the Zeus and Topdon, autel is older/slower and has a cord. Topdon is my favorite for service functions like oil lights, parking brake, etc. Very fast boot up time. The snap-on is admittedly my first grab otherwise.

 

[srs2000]

For Ford I would look at FORScan. It should do everything you're looking for way under $100 (dongle & software). FORScan has almost all the capabilities of the Ford diagnostic system.

Awesome. I've spent a week checking out different android apps and none of them are remotely comparable to even the demo of forscan. Even works with my current BT dongle. Thanks!

 

[BrandonV]

Awesome. I've spent a week checking out different android apps and none of them are remotely comparable to even the demo of forscan. Even works with my current BT dongle. Thanks!

FORScan is downright amazing for the cost. Unless you're doing serious module reprogramming and the like almost all the bidirectional things the average DIYer wants to do is available with a few clicks.

 

[bobio]

I have had this Actron Pocketscan for years. Does everything I need it to.

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actron.com

 

[ZRX61]

FORScan is downright amazing for the cost. Unless you're doing serious module reprogramming and the like almost all the bidirectional things the average DIYer wants to do is available with a few clicks.

It's on the "at some point" list, the hold up is getting a cheap lap top to install it on.

 

[ZRX61]

.

 

[srs2000]

FORScan is downright amazing for the cost. Unless you're doing serious module reprogramming and the like almost all the bidirectional things the average DIYer wants to do is available with a few clicks.

$7 for the phone app.

I think it can allow me to do everything I will ever need to on this particular car (25 years old) but I'll try the computer program in the near future to see. Getting sensor voltages was what I was after and its giving me that and way way more. I also can bleed the ABS pump which I was expecting to have to get done at a shop.

Definitely glad I checked this thread. Best $7 I've spent.

 

[Ohmthis]

Topdon phoenix lite 2 is about as cheap as you'll get into a "known name" bidirectional. https://www.aeswave.com/Topdon-Phoenix-Lite-2-p10173.html

For my money if sticking with Autel you want the 906-pro models, the old 906 platform is pretty dated by now.

Reflashing software, modifying it, is another tool/process entirely. Look into whether you want to simply clear adaptives/learned values via a scan tool, or actually VIN match and initialize blank TCMs. You can initialize -some- modules with a scan tool. It's documented pretty poorly as to whether it can be done or not until you plug in a scan tool and try. There is some..... trouble brewing related to AutoAuth and tools that don't fall under the big names of Launch/Autel/Snap on. My topdon works fine with Autoauth, despite there being concerns/issues about tools working properly. The Phoenix lite 2 is CanFD/DoiP compatible. Consider CanFD/Doip depending on what you work on.


I have an older Autel 906, the phoenix lite 2, and a snap on zeus. They're all great tools, and they all let you down. I mostly use the Zeus and Topdon, autel is older/slower and has a cord. Topdon is my favorite for service functions like oil lights, parking brake, etc. Very fast boot up time. The snap-on is admittedly my first grab otherwise.

2nd gear, I’m not sure what is done. I’ve taken 2 fords and a GMC to have the tcm “reset” after replacements of transmission and /or techm/tcm. I’ve paid roughly $600 for this service. If I’m planning a new scan tool, why not grab one that will save me the time and money to “reset” it myself. Thanks for the info.