OBD II scanner?
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 255
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From: Brownell, Kansas, USA
OBD II scanner?
I'm looking at possibly buying a scanner to use on my '97 f-150. What brands are good, what models of those brands and what can I expect to pay? thanks.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
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There are many, with quite a range in prices. I have a unit from: http://www.obd-2.com/ It is an interface to my laptop computer. Mine is about two years old - the newer ones may be better. However, this one reads and clears codes on most (if not all) OBDII cars. I have used it on 1996 Ply, 1998 F150 and a few others. Mine was less than $200.
It is combersome to use the laptop (over a smaller more compact unit), but the smaller units can't give you the features you get with the laptop interface. It's an example of the first law of engineering: "There is no such thing as a free lunch."
It is combersome to use the laptop (over a smaller more compact unit), but the smaller units can't give you the features you get with the laptop interface. It's an example of the first law of engineering: "There is no such thing as a free lunch."
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 150
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You can get a handheld actron unit from Autozone for about 150 bucks. I bought one for my wifes 97 expy.
Combining the scanner , searches of this forum and basic trouble shooting, I have been able to fix the two codes that have popped up. Well worth the money.
Combining the scanner , searches of this forum and basic trouble shooting, I have been able to fix the two codes that have popped up. Well worth the money.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1
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From: battle creek Mi.
actron
I to have a Actron, I picked it up at Sears for $158.00, it was well worth the money. I have not found a car or truck it will not work on. it also comes with a CD that gives 5000 code definitions, very valuable. good luck.
faajetmech
faajetmech
Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 20
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From: Omaha, NE
Be aware that 2004 Ford trucks, as well as other makes and brands of vehicles, use a different standard than OBDII called CAN. ALL vehicles will conform to this standard by 2008, if I remember right.
Because of this, and because I wanted and was willing to pay for more features, I bought an EZScan 4000 by AutoXRay for around $300. It supports all vehicles from '96 on, OBDII as well as CAN. It has 8 lines of display instead of 2, and all codes are in the unit. You can buy Ford specific and/or Chrysler specific codes for an additional $50 each. Understand that standard OBDII codes are generic, and each manufacturer also has their own, more specific, codes. The EZScan unit comes with a cable you can hook up to the serial port of your computer, be it Desktop or laptop, so you can download updates for the unit from the internet and also display everything you downloaded from your vehicle on your computer if you wish. It has other tests also, such as O2 sensor tests, which may be a part of the OBDII system.
With notebooks going for $600, IMHO it's only a matter of time when you'll be able to buy the software & interface cable to use your notebook and forget about the scanner. Perhaps that's possible now?
Good Luck,
Dan
Because of this, and because I wanted and was willing to pay for more features, I bought an EZScan 4000 by AutoXRay for around $300. It supports all vehicles from '96 on, OBDII as well as CAN. It has 8 lines of display instead of 2, and all codes are in the unit. You can buy Ford specific and/or Chrysler specific codes for an additional $50 each. Understand that standard OBDII codes are generic, and each manufacturer also has their own, more specific, codes. The EZScan unit comes with a cable you can hook up to the serial port of your computer, be it Desktop or laptop, so you can download updates for the unit from the internet and also display everything you downloaded from your vehicle on your computer if you wish. It has other tests also, such as O2 sensor tests, which may be a part of the OBDII system.
With notebooks going for $600, IMHO it's only a matter of time when you'll be able to buy the software & interface cable to use your notebook and forget about the scanner. Perhaps that's possible now?
Good Luck,
Dan