Automobile Scan Tool

[JcMack]

Join an online forum specifically for your vehicle make and model. Use the results of a scan and run it by the forum. 75% of the problems you have, have been diagnosed and repaired by somebody else.
I've got 2 scanners, one ballpark, and one pretty comprehensive. My only truck is 18yrs old and the scanner/forum solution has helped keep it on the road.

 

[mm93]

I have two scan tools and both cost me under $20 with free shipping. Both work great to diagnose problems on newer computer controlled cars. I bought two simply because they're so cheap that I can keep them in the trunk instead of in my tuneup kit so they're always handy.
I wouldn't pay more than $20 because I have friends who paid more and their tools don't do anything mine wont do.

 

[jdh]

After my wifes BMW and its unrelenting barrage of flashing warning lights on the dash I purchased a Foxwell scanner.
Was able to turn off the lights and figure out what was going on under the hood.
A two way scanner is handy to have now a days.
Something as simple as changing your own oil or battery needs a way to turn off the dash light.

I still have a scanner focused on BMWs. It stayed plugged in all the time so I could clear codes as they popped up while driving. Finally got tired of it an traded the BMW in on an Audi.

 

[Rat458]

Yup,ours was a 2007 and got rid of it before it started costing big money.
Was already nickel and diming us.
Was a fun car to drive.
328 Sportwagon rear wheel drive.
Miss that straight 6,was a little torgue monster .
The new Mazda is not even in the same league.

 

[Sarge9]

Friend flips cars, he has the middle of the road one
from HF, $150-60.
Works great.
YMMV

 

[IAM Rand]

A co-worker told me about an issue with her Subaru. She was getting an engine error code. She took it in to the local dealer and they gave the standard, "We have to charge this rate when we use our scanner." Turned out that the gas cap was not screwed on tight enough. Their solution, they gave her a 1/2 off discount to screw in the gas cap.

Fast forward to many moons later, my wife's Subaru had a check engine light. It had disabled the forward sensors. I took it in. They gave me the same wonderful discount. It only cost $90 to screw in the gas cap.

Sometimes it is a racket.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Just be careful. You are after all accessing the vehicle computer.

A few years ago a bad batch made in China were sold at a well known auto parts store. It was an exclusive brand.

I know of four cases where people used the scanner and it scrabbled the engine control module (computer).

Folks had to have their vehicles towed to the dealer and pay for repairs too.

And on some vehicles this is not a quick and easy fix.

Look for good reviews that are recent.

 

[ACORN]

A co-worker told me about an issue with her Subaru. She was getting an engine error code. She took it in to the local dealer and they gave the standard, "We have to charge this rate when we use our scanner." Turned out that the gas cap was not screwed on tight enough. Their solution, they gave her a 1/2 off discount to screw in the gas cap.

Fast forward to many moons later, my wife's Subaru had a check engine light. It had disabled the forward sensors. I took it in. They gave me the same wonderful discount. It only cost $90 to screw in the gas cap.

Sometimes it is a racket.

A loose or defective gas cap is probably the most common issue.
If trying to track down an emission system leak, that’s the place to start.
At least they are not expensive and easy to access.

 

[Narragansett]

My son has some kind of a Snap-on laptop scanner. I think it is around $10K. At least he charges for the use of it

 

[ladder13]

A guide to trouble codes. What you do with them is a whole other story.

“ It is important to note that while DTC’s are useful in identifying a vehicle’s malfunction, they are not a way to decipher why the malfunction occurred. A vehicle needs to be further diagnosed by a mechanic to identify and address the cause of the issue”.



A Guide to Understanding DTC Codes