OBD2 for home use.

[Semohandyman]

I am thinking about buying an OBD2 reader. I am looking for suggestions of what would be a good one to get for DIY use. I think I would like to get a good one for home use, I am not wanting to buy one like they use at an auto repair shop that would cost too much. Maybe a higher end one for DIY but not a professional one.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I am thinking about buying an OBD2 reader. I am looking for suggestions of what would be a good one to get for DIY use. I think I would like to get a good one for home use, I am not wanting to buy one like they use at an auto repair shop that would cost too much. Maybe a higher end one for DIY but not a professional one.

I have a Craftsman 25488 which is made by Innova. I got it for $60 off Ebay, it was an open box item.

 

[66354dream]

I have an Equus Innova one myself (don"t know the model number by heart), they're pretty decent for the price.

 

[uglyjacko]

Launch Creader viii (crp 129) or autel md802 all systems. I have the launch creader viii and for the price of $199 it does alot

 

[LEVE]

I use a ScanGuageII. It's got everything I need for quick diags.. and of course I can reset codes. IIRC, I paid $129 when it was on sale. It's now $159.

 

[brianpgriset]

What all are you trying to do? Hard to beat the Torque Pro app. $5 app and a $20 obd2 dongle is cheap. Lots of online monitoring options too.

 

[fordnut85]

I have an Innova brand code reader I use for quick and dirty stuff before I bust out the Snappy scanners and it works really well. They make many different ones with ABS or airbag support and some even graph live data, so do your research and get what you need. One thing to make sure of is if the scanner supports CAN networking since all cars 2004 and newer use CAN communication protocalls

 

[Semohandyman]

The one that I am thinking about is Actron CP9690. Any one have anything to say about it? Good or bad. But I am not sure what I want.

 

[stg454]

I'm looking for one as well. Anyone use the HF one?

 

[djdaredevil]

If you want just a basic one my local sears had some Accutron or Innova ones for 15 on clearance.

I'm looking for one as well. Anyone use the HF one?

I have the Autel version of the ABS one and it works great.

 

[Ponchoguy]

There is a difference between a scanner and a code reader. The former actually is a diagnostic tool (some have live data, testing capability,etc), the latter just tells you the codes.

 

[Semohandyman]

I am looking for more than a code reader. Maybe a diagnostic tool if it will not cost a lot.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I am looking for more than a code reader. Maybe a diagnostic tool if it will not cost a lot.

Mine is a scanner/diagnostic tool and you can find them reasonably on Ebay. That's where I got mine.

 

[tdkkart]

What all are you trying to do? Hard to beat the Torque Pro app. $5 app and a $20 obd2 dongle is cheap. Lots of online monitoring options too.

This.......

http://torque-bhp.com/

Works great, will show you nearly everything that is available on the data buss.

Just a couple weeks ago was able to see a MAF with no output, wasn't throwing a code, but the data stream had the answer.

 

[FigureItOut]

I'm looking for one as well. Anyone use the HF one?

I have it. It tells me the code and what it means in generic terms to give me a starting point. It has some other data features and I haven't fully utilized what it'll do. The nicer ones will tell you quite a bit more but they don't draw conclusions for you, that's what a good tech is for. It's a diagnostic tool, it won't tell you what's wrong.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[manwithtools]

[quote name="brianpgriset" post=5284625]What all are you trying to do? Hard to beat the Torque Pro app. $5 app and a $20 obd2 dongle is cheap. Lots of online monitoring options too.[/QUOTE]<br />
<br />
<br />
This.......<br />
<br />
http://torque-bhp.com/<br />
<br />
Works great, will show you nearly everything that is available on the data buss.<br />
<br />
Just a couple weeks ago was able to see a MAF with no output, wasn't throwing a code, but the data stream had the answer.


Couldn't agree more. This works great.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[bodydamage]

I have the red HF scanner and a Bluetooth dongle and the Torque App. The Torque app is cool, real time monitoring, custom gauge display, etc. I can see the boost and egt's on the wife's car in real time. Its cool. For resetting and pulling codes, the HF ones works just fine.

 

[mnjim]

Don't know if this is inline with your budget but I wound up doing a lot of comparing and settled on the Innova 31603. It can read ABS, has live data functions as well as other features. It can be had for under 200 from Amazon. If it saves you two hours of shop labor it's already paid for itself.

http://pro.innova.com/Product/FullDetail/f968c286-07ab-46b7-bfd5-bae40673742e

 

[TNToy]

Another vote for the Torque Pro app for your phone. I view ability to read ABS codes and stream basic data as mandatory for any scantool I own.

When you have a vehicle operating erratically you often have a sensor feeding inaccurate data which may not set a code. My most recent example of this would be the 6.0 Powerstroke I fixed at work last week. Would barely run or fail to start entirely. No codes. A quick browsing of the 5 most troublesome sensors showed good voltage from the IDM (injector ECM) ... but 1,250 psi of pressure in the high-side of the system - which would be an expected value on a diesel except that the engine wasn't running.

Fifteen minutes of work replacing an ICP sensor turned a mystery no-start into a fixed truck.

Look into the Torque system. I plan to. I've heard good things.

 

[MattFromIll]

I bought the autel al519 off amazon for 80 bucks. The harbor freight rebranded model was more expensive.

This model does:
Live data
Graphs live data
Records data
Mode 6, but you have to know what tests/parameters are what
Pulls codes including manufacture specific
Online software which I've never used

Maybe a few other things, but no abs, or tire monitor.

I am very pleased with it.

 

[FigureItOut]

[quote name="brianpgriset" post=5284625]What all are you trying to do? Hard to beat the Torque Pro app. $5 app and a $20 obd2 dongle is cheap. Lots of online monitoring options too.

<br />
<br />
<br />
This.......<br />
<br />
http://torque-bhp.com/<br />
<br />
Works great, will show you nearly everything that is available on the data buss.<br />
<br />
Just a couple weeks ago was able to see a MAF with no output, wasn't throwing a code, but the data stream had the answer.


Couldn't agree more. This works great.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Glad I read this thread, I'm gonna get the Torque Pro app I think. Anyone recommend a dongle to take full advantage of Torque Pro?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[brianpgriset]

<br />
<br />
<br />
This.......<br />
<br />
http://torque-bhp.com/<br />
<br />
Works great, will show you nearly everything that is available on the data buss.<br />
<br />
Just a couple weeks ago was able to see a MAF with no output, wasn't throwing a code, but the data stream had the answer.


Couldn't agree more. This works great.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Glad I read this thread, I'm gonna get the Torque Pro app I think. Anyone recommend a dongle to take full advantage of Torque Pro?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]


Pretty sure it just needs to be any odb2 Bluetooth adapter. I just got the cheapest one I could on Amazon.

As mentioned above, it's especially good with the 6.0 power stroke if you have one like me. You can read every critical parameter except fuel pressure and egt's, only because the truck doesn't have those sensors. It's amazing how much you can do.

I think there were over 80 available pid's on my wife's MDX.

Not only does it do codes and live readout a but also has data logging too!

 

[tdkkart]

<br />
Anyone recommend a dongle to take full advantage of Torque Pro?

Here's one that popped up after a quick search for recommended units, looks very similar to the one I'm using.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20


(after posting this, Amazon now tells me that this IS the unit that I have. I purchased it in 2014)

 

[padroo]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJPHEBO/?tag=atomicindus08-20


This is the one I bought, I just leave it plugged into the OBDII port. If you have your cell phone with you, you can check it out on the spot and it will turn the light off. I bought mine to monitor an overheating problem.
It reads the numbers right off of the vehicle computer, screw that idiot light. Lol
Let us know how you make out.

 

[T_Roze]

Torque works very well. Another vote here.

Anything by autel is also a good buy. Simple, intuitive, and the guided help/tips on their lower priced models is decently useful.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bfm336]

Anyone here able to tell me what the Torque app is equivalent to in terms of a dedicated scanner?

I ask because I have an iPhone and would have to buy an android device, which I would do. But if the device plus reader are going to be say $150 and a $150 reader (or $200, etc) does the same thing I would rather have that simplicity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bryan_Cromwell]

What all are you trying to do? Hard to beat the Torque Pro app. $5 app and a $20 obd2 dongle is cheap. Lots of online monitoring options too.

^ if you own a android phone or tablet, works a treat

 

[Bryan_Cromwell]

Anyone here able to tell me what the Torque app is equivalent to in terms of a dedicated scanner?

I ask because I have an iPhone and would have to buy an android device, which I would do. But if the device plus reader are going to be say $150 and a $150 reader (or $200, etc) does the same thing I would rather have that simplicity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Look at an older phone such as a HTC thunderbolt, super cheap on ebay

 

[dogdog]

Anyone here able to tell me what the Torque app is equivalent to in terms of a dedicated scanner?

I ask because I have an iPhone and would have to buy an android device, which I would do. But if the device plus reader are going to be say $150 and a $150 reader (or $200, etc) does the same thing I would rather have that simplicity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That bluetooth dongle is just an ELM327 clone of sort. So if you google whats available for your iPhone you can still use it. Just that torque for android had more features toys and what nots, all other apps does scan ODBII codes if that is what you after.

http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/...-compatible-obd-apps-with-elm327-wifi-scanner

 

[tjmonsen5]

I would look for a used snapon ethos or solus pro. Find one with the latest update that you can. They should be between 300-500. They have full brand specific codes, body modules, airbag etc, plus bidirectional controls on the solus and the troubleshooter to give you a path to start fixing the problem.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have an Equus Innova one myself (don"t know the model number by heart), they're pretty decent for the price.

I HAD a 3130 equal in Craftsman (a 20890 from what I remember) but Innova actually allowed me to swap it out for a 25488 for $50 at the time. I took advantage of it, and then the screen went dead. They made good on it and replaced the device. I have ABS coverage on mine now. I'm happy with it, it's easy to use.

 

[AutoTeck84]

Laptop is the way of the future

 

[techenthusiast]

How do you understand and determine what the PID list in torque pro is? It doesn't give any description at all in any of the cars that I've looked at

It looks like a bunch of jumbled numbers and letters but I know they are sensors I just don't know how to understand them. Thanks.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[Semohandyman]

I would like to thank everyone for their comments. It will take me a few days to research all of the suggestions. I will post sometime soon if I buy something.

 

[Laracar]

I have Autel MD802 all system,it works great especially with obo-ll & electronic engine management tech manual.Also a good OBD2 tool for home use.

 

[blarf]

Anyone here able to tell me what the Torque app is equivalent to in terms of a dedicated scanner?

I ask because I have an iPhone and would have to buy an android device, which I would do. But if the device plus reader are going to be say $150 and a $150 reader (or $200, etc) does the same thing I would rather have that simplicity.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Torque simply uses a common ELM 327 based dongle. You can find USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth dongles but iOS only allows for WiFi dongles, so if you want to use your iOS device you'll need to shell out the extra cash for a WiFi dongle. If you're willing to go with Android you could get a cheap tablet -- I think Amazon has a $50 tablet that can be coerced into running stock Android. Or if you've already got a laptop you can just get an ELM 327 app for that (ex: OBD Auto Doctor).

I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that depending on the car you may want to invest in the proper proprietary cable and software (either one of the aftermarket ones or pirated factory/dealer stuff). From what I can tell BMW and VW seem to have some of the best supported communities for this sort of thing. Typically the proprietary stuff will have better non-engine/trans coverage.

 

[jipps]

I have an autel. There seems to be a step-up in price of looking for kit that covers SAFETY codes too (ABS, airbags, etc) but bear in mind how much your dealer would charge for an airbag light reset and you'll quickly see that you will want to include these options despite the pricing step.

 

[rice rocket]

Laptop is the way of the future

CarPC, bro.

 

[byoungblood]

What all are you trying to do? Hard to beat the Torque Pro app. $5 app and a $20 obd2 dongle is cheap. Lots of online monitoring options too.

Second this. I took my Wife's old Android phone and turned it into my OBD reader/monitoring device. You can get old phones that will run Torque very cheaply if you don't have one already, and it will do more than stand alone units costing over $100.

There is even some limited custom PID support for various manufacturer's so you can read their specific codes and/or monitor other sensors.

 

[kelpaso1]

Notch a tube with a chop saw. Here's how..
http://api.viglink.com/api/click?fo...&txt=Notch a tube with a chop saw. Here's how.

Good information in that link. Thanks!