OBDii Code Readers for the Backyard Mechanic recommendation??

[Bcom]

Hey guys, im wanting to purchase an OBDii code reader/scanner. I was hoping someone had some tips on buying a basic and decent reader fr the backyard mechanic?
A scanner that can read multiple cars plus read the code,erase the code,and also explain the codes meaning on the screen. Im not rich! Im just a basic home mechanic that wants something good and reliable for my vehicles so i dont need a thousand dollar piece of equipment like Mac or SnapOn. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks

 

[seanc_mt]

These are amazing!

Download Torque Pro to your phone and you have a VERY powerful tool.

 

[KBATN]

i would look for an used otc or autel with bi-directional controls. And these scanners will also read codes missed by your cheap code readers. I have the torque app and snap on scanner. My snap on will catch codes my torque app wont.

 

[uncwstudent]

I really like my Autel. The interface is clearly not designed by Apple but it pulls all of the codes for almost every single make and model and gives you a TON of data for relatively little money. I got the Maxilink ML629 and like it a lot! I believe I paid a little more than a hundred bucks for it from Amazon. The free updates are awesome!

 

[bwringer]

The little Bluetooth dealio with Torque Pro is incredible bang for the buck and a fantastic learning tool. Start with that and if it doesn't do something you need, look at an upgrade.

 

[Onefastgsx]

These are amazing!

Download Torque Pro to your phone and you have a VERY powerful tool.

I second this.

 

[Yarpo]

I bought a little BT one like above for my phone to use with the Torque pro app like two or three years ago and its pretty awesome, its read and cleared codes on everything I've hooked it up to without issue. Eventually I'll upgrade to one of the Autel tablet ones for 5 or 600 dollars, but for 20 dollars the cheap ones are a great place to start.

 

[Bcom]

These are amazing!

Download Torque Pro to your phone and you have a VERY powerful tool.

I checked this out on amazon and watched the video of it. I dont understand any of that garbage. Typing in ip addresses and subnet numbers. The hell with that. That sounds like alot of nonsense having to do all that stuff just to read your cars check engine codes. Theres gotta be something better.

 

[dogdog]

I checked this out on amazon and watched the video of it. I dont understand any of that garbage. Typing in ip addresses and subnet numbers. The hell with that. That sounds like alot of nonsense having to do all that stuff just to read your cars check engine codes. Theres gotta be something better.

You can always buy a usb version of that..... just search for ELM327....

 

[rijndael]

I'd probably look at the BlueDriver.

 

[Isaiah6113]

These are excellent, even picks up manufacturer-specific codes. Paired with my iPhone flawlessly. Using on my ‘09 Impala and ‘12 Journey. Their app is easy to use.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00652G4TS/?tag=atomicindus04-20


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[Isaiah6113]

I'd probably look at the BlueDriver.

Ditto this!


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[anndel]

Ditto this!


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ditto +2. The Bluedriver caught codes my Autel MS906TS missed but my Snap-on Zeus caught them all.

 

[Bcom]

The Autel MS309 seems to get very favorable reviews and it seems to do exactly what i need at a hood price. Reads the codes,explains the code, and erases the code.
This model appears to be under the name OxGord and Hyper Tough and many others. The Hyper Tough is sold at Wally World for $20.

 

[visionguru]

...Hey guys, im wanting to purchase an OBDii code reader/scanner. I was hoping someone had some tips on buying a basic and decent reader fr the backyard mechanic?
A scanner that can read multiple cars plus read the code,erase the code,and also explain the codes meaning on the screen. Im not rich! Im just a basic home mechanic that wants something good and reliable for my vehicles so i dont need a thousand dollar piece of equipment like Mac or SnapOn. Anyone have any recommendations? ...

Cheapest: an ELM327 based Bluetooth unit, about $10. Many free apps that can allow you to read standard OBDii codes on your phone. You can google about the meaning/solutions on the internet. It's not necessary for the reader to provide a few hard to understand descriptions/diagnosis.

Better: dedicated reader with more functionality, such as ABS, and electronic brake control. About $100.

Those professional readers are expensive not just because of the hardware, rather it's the software. A shop will need frequent update for all makes/models/years.

 

[Bcom]

Check the reviews on the autel MS309. This looks like an ideal scanner for a backyard mechanic like myself. Looks just like the Wally World version
Heres the Amazon Autel MS309---
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LHQBMC/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Heres the Wally World Hyper Tough version----
Hyper Tough OBDII CAN Diagnostic Code Reader, Red

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-OBDII-CAN-Diagnostic-Code-Reader-Red/54620271

 

[stickshift]

I like the Bluedriver, works with both Android and iOS.

 

[xin]

blue driver !

 

[Bcom]

Alot of you guys have mentioned Bluedriver but that costs $100 and for as little as i would use it, it just doesnt sound like that great of an investment.

 

[shockwave]

Go with a autel md808p the pro version it does a lot of bidirectional features ands reads abs/srs abs and deals with does battery registrations and electronic parking brakes all for 350 which I paid on truck but online will be cheaper it’s my current road box scanner and does everything a diy will need even on the Europe stuff like service resets

 

[Bcom]

Go with a autel md808p the pro version it does a lot of bidirectional features ands reads abs/srs abs and deals with does battery registrations and electronic parking brakes all for 350 which I paid on truck but online will be cheaper it’s my current road box scanner and does everything a diy will need even on the Europe stuff like service resets

Man that scanner is like $250. I cant see spending that amount of money for a backyard mechanic.

 

[shockwave]

Yes but does everything you will ever need and most will only do obd and abs not relearns of service like electronic parking brakes and throttle relearns and look at specs 250 is a bargain for this

 

[Badger 13]

I was in the same boat as you were. I read review after review. There is so many good one's out there at very reasonable prices. I ended up with the Nexpeak NX501, and very happy with it. I bought on Ebay for around $55.00.

 

[Luciferi]

I second the md808p. It is pretty cheap for what you get. You need to be able to read and reset all the cars modules and get extended codes. Throttle reset and battery registration are very nice to have.

I would be scared of anyone claiming to be a mechanic, backyard or otherwise, unwilling to invest in basic tools.

 

[stioc]

I'm not a pro but I've had an expensive SnapOn Modis which is now getting old (has up to 2014 cars database) but after using a pro tool like that it really spoils you. It has guided component tests, full scope, meters etc. I'm thinking about selling it but the newer Verus etc are in the $6k+ range and sometimes even just having one pro tool isn't enough if you're working on Asian, European and domestic cars.

That's just to help you see that a $100-200 tool isn't much if you want to do more than read codes. However, here's one review I found I thought was decent. They give you their top picks right in the beginning of the video too.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

I'd probably look at the BlueDriver.

I have the blue driver and really like it. The app is very good and it has helped me solve many issues. I would get it again.

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[erty67]

I'm happy with my Autel ML619, for backyard stuff.

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[theoldwizard1]

The cheap reader are just that. They read the code and maybe allow you to reset.

This SELDOM leads you to an pin point part replacement. A lean code could be one of a dozen things and a cheap reader is not going to help you.

 

[Tallpilot]

Go with a autel md808p the pro version it does a lot of bidirectional features ands reads abs/srs abs and deals with does battery registrations and electronic parking brakes all for 350 which I paid on truck but online will be cheaper it’s my current road box scanner and does everything a diy will need even on the Europe stuff like service resets

Man that scanner is like $250. I cant see spending that amount of money for a backyard mechanic.

What’s a backyard mechanic? You can’t even do a rear brake job on an EPB vehicle without a scan tool that can put it in maintenance mode.

This thing has real full module capability and service resets for under $250. That’s amazing and really the minimum capability required to actually be a backyard mechanic on anything from this decade.

I’m pretty sure bluedriver can’t do EPB but let us know if it can. There is just way too much manufacturer specific stuff now to be hobbled with only OBDII.

 

[DIY_Guy79]

Kitbest Bluetooth OBD2 scanner on Amazon. $10.88 Free shipping. Use it with Torque Pro on your phone. About the same thing as listed above by Seanc_mt. Probably good with either one. Dont go and buy a big expensive scanner device. The little bluetooth ones with Torque Pro app are absolutely amazing and probably give more capability than those big expensive ones ever could.

 

[tutti57]

A scan tool is as powerful as it's user. I do most data reading for diag work in OBD2 mode. If you don't know how to read data, the codes are only going to give you some of the picture. If you are just going to fire parts at the car based on the code, just get the cheapest one you can find.

I second the torque pro app for $5 plus a $10 Bluetooth dongle. For what it sounds like you will be doing, it will be overkill.

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[tutti57]

The autel al619 is hard to beat for $100 on Amazon. It does engine, srs, and abs with graphing and I believe lifetime updates. I will say that the interface is just ok compared to others. I had one instance where the definition of the code was actually wrong. I emailed them several times about it and just got the run around. I think it was saying that it was a vent valve control circuit issue when the code was actually a fuel tank pressure sensor code. The number was right but the definition was not.

Still a good tool for $100!

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[Tallpilot]

When I was in the shop my boss or the senior tech had the expensive scan tool. Nothing I could ever begin to afford. Since I was demoted to weekend warrior in my home garage, I've also been looking for an affordable scan tool with more options than just giving me the code. Even the cheapest scanner on the planet will give you a code, and you can Google the code.

I'm looking for something with not only OBD2 DTC capability, but also the ability to read DTC and data from the ABS, SRS and Transmission modules. Any Readiness Monitor data (ie. O2 Sensors, Drive cycle) would also be nice to have and basic graphing ability and selectable data PID's as well is a bonus but I just want it to show all data in a readable format if nothing else.

That's all you really need. Bi-directional control capability usually comes at too heavy a price. Also for me I don't care about Euro cars, I only work on Asian imports and domestic, nothing fancy.

AL619 will do what you wish. I have found some ABS modules it won't talk to though.

http://autel-maxidiag-md802.blogspot.com/2018/03/difference-of-md808-pro-and-mx808.html?m=1

For another $100 you can get more capability for resets and EPB. For yet another $100 you get all modules and true bidirectional controls. I'm not sure how well it works though because I haven't used it personally.

But it looks like what once cost $1000 is now around $300 so that's good.

 

[tutti57]

Are those autel 808 true bidirectional? I can never tell from the description.

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[P0234]

An cheap scanner, bluedriver or torque is cool if you have an old car or just do really basic stuff. Modern cars have over two dozen computers that spill out codes. If you get a scanner that only talks to the OBD2 engine computer you are only seeing a glimpse of what is going on.

 

[Tallpilot]

Are those autel 808 true bidirectional? I can never tell from the description.

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Mostly only partial bi-directional controls. I believe the DS is the cheapest with 'full' bi-directional capability. Of course no one aftermarket tool does everything, unfortunately.

 

[Bacon!]

If you're doing this for profit on other peoples' vehicles then you will need to spend a lot more money to cover all bases.

If you're doing it just to cover your own vehicles then you need to consider those specific vehicles.

At the very least I would own a wireless dongle type that connects to your phone (wifi for Apple or bluetooth for Android), that you leave in the glove box so it's always with the vehicle. I would not want to leave a $400 scan tool in the glove box of any vehicle, let alone buying multiples for all vehicles.

I bought two different $10 dongle type where the sellers were basically lying in stating that they were compatible with all '96 or newer OBDII vehicles when in fact they only worked on mid-2000's and newer vehicles with CAN protocol.

After wasting time on those I got a BAFX which does work on the other protocols like J1850:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You stated it seemed like a hassle(?) to input connection info for a wifi version but this is not really a big deal. It's usually a one time thing. With the bluetooth versions of these you would enter a pairing code on your phone or tablet, etc, which is usually something like 0000 or 1234. It literally takes 20 seconds or less, once.

Now on the other hand if your vehicles are all new enough to be CAN protocol, you can get one of those tiny translucent blue dongles on ebay for around $6 delivered. The cheapest price on ebay may fluctuate daily so I'm not going to hunt down the best deal at 7:46 on Sunday, but they look like this one on Amazon and you might want to spend $4 more to get it in a couple days (with prime) instead of in a month from China:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HXGX8V6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I suspect many people who think you get a lot more with an expensive scan tool, are not familiar with the capabilities of these dongles. They do NOT only tell you OBDII fault codes. They are capable of showing real time data on many parameters, even while driving. Of course they cannot do most manufacturer specific fault codes but if you happen to own a Ford, the app like Forscan can do many of those.

Just one opinion, but I would get one of those even if you end up getting a more expensive one too. I'd hold off on the expensive one till you find a specific instance where you need it. Do not use the software CD that comes with them. Get Torque or another app from a trusted app store.

 

[tutti57]

I agree with bacon on this, but be prepared to learn how to use the tool and interpret data. You can spend $6k on a tool and be no better off than a $10 tool if you don't know what you're looking at.

For drivability issues, you can do a hell of a lot with the torque app. There are some good TST seminars on YouTube that cover all the modes and global obd2 diagnostics that I'd bet most techs out there don't know about, but would be eager to spend some coin on a fancy tool.

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