Diagnostic Scanners

"Quasi Hatrack" (quasi-hatrack)
10/12/2018 at 20:28 • Filed to: Quasi is a car idiot

Anybody want to weigh in on the quality of diagnostic scanners? I’m seeing prices on Amazon anywhere from <$20 to >$200 which seems like a ridiculous range for what seems like a pretty basic tool. Also, what do I need to look out for to make sure one will work on 2011 Explorer?

DISCUSSION (15)

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Quasi Hatrack
10/12/2018 at 20:38

What do you need scanned that can’t be accomplished by a $15 dongle and a free app?

facw > Quasi Hatrack
10/12/2018 at 20:42

I’ve just got a cheap Bluetooth ELM327 dongle and Torque. I now the fancier things can sometimes do more, but honestly I don’t know what (and it often seems to be make/model specific).

HoustonRunner > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
10/12/2018 at 20:44

Ditto. I have a cheap Bluetooth OBDII reader from amazon and the Torque app (Android). Though I do have the paid version of the app I got during an app sale for $1. Reads and resets codes, and even links to a google search on the code.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > Quasi Hatrack
10/12/2018 at 20:47

I just picked up a Zurich from Harbor Freight, I want to say its the ZR13 model...their top of the line one so it does air bags and ABS as well. It was $170 after a coupon, and its excellent. Already saved me a trip to the mechanic to diagnose faulty wheel speed sensors on my Jetta and my Tahoe. Seems well made, easy enough to use.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > HoustonRunner
10/12/2018 at 21:12

Agreed with this method. For simple OBD code reading and clearing this is the most effective route. I have also been using the OBD dongle in order to provide data overlays for videos at autocross and track days. The cheapo dongle has a crappy latency but it works enough for me.

Urambo Tauro > Quasi Hatrack
10/12/2018 at 21:13

Both of my vehicles are ’95s, but as I understand it, the OBDII standard means that you can use just about any OBDII code reader on any modern car. BUT if you need to do more than just read codes and basic data, you will need something that is compatible with your car’s protocols.

I’m learning that an actual scan tool (not just a code reader) is becoming more and more essential to work on today’s OBDII-equipped cars. Just recently, I changed the battery in my brother’s 2016 Focus, and later discovered that there’s a reset procedure that has to be performed in order to “calibrate” the car’s battery management system. And the way you do that is through a scan tool.

Scan tools aren’t cheap, but I was wondering if a wireless OBDII dongle would let me use a phone or tablet as one. From what I’ve seen so far, the cheap dongles and free apps don’t offer that kind of functionality, and can only be used to pull codes and read limited amounts of other data. But the “ BlueDriver ” dongle and app claim to offer “all the capabilities of an expensive handheld scan tool”, and there are probably some similar products that can do the same.

That’s as far as I’ve gotten in my research on this. Like I said, both of my vehicles are 1995 models, so I’m not exactly in a hurry to find something.

Josh - the lost soldier > Quasi Hatrack
10/12/2018 at 21:23

Personally, I use a Bosch Bluetooth code reader in conjunction with their Android app. The whole thing was about $90 from O'Reilly and it does everything I need it to do (check and clear codes, looks up manufacturer-specific codes in a database, etc). I would think that any OBDII reader on Amazon would work with a 2011 Explorer; I don't know the app ecosystem on iOS, but I can stand behind Torque on Android.

Future Heap Owner > Urambo Tauro
10/12/2018 at 21:38

Do you ever use the OBD-I to do anything besides flash out a code when you get a MIL?

Quasi Hatrack > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
10/12/2018 at 21:45

Ah, see that’s your proof I’m an idiot. I didn’t know there was dongle option.

Urambo Tauro > Future Heap Owner
10/12/2018 at 21:48

Nah, I just use a paperclip to jump the pins and count flashes. I haven’t come across an affordable way to d o anything more than that. There’s all kinds of OBDII stuff out there, but I haven’t seen any similar dongles/apps for use with older ALDL or EEC systems.

The Dummy Gummy > Quasi Hatrack
10/12/2018 at 22:57

I use WiFi OBDII connector, but I’d recommend a bluetooth one. The wifi completely shuts out the internet for obvious reasons. In conjunction with this I use (iPhone) DashCommand. It’s great for a whole host of other reasons besides being able to scan errors.

If you have an android I recommend Torque.

Future Heap Owner > Urambo Tauro
10/12/2018 at 23:29

Yeah, I figured as much, but thought I’d check.

Chinny Raccoon > Quasi Hatrack
10/13/2018 at 02:55

I like that the stand alone scanners work with no hassle, just plug and go. The one I use is looks identical to the one you posted, but has a different name on it. It was on the lower end of your price range.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Quasi Hatrack
10/13/2018 at 05:31

Autel Scanner MD802 Maxidiag Elite Full System Diagnoses for ABS, SRS, Engine, Transmission ,EPB, Oil Reset https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0090B7M2O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_TQBWBbNJ5WFVR

I bought that a couple years ago and it has been very handy with my needy Germans and the odd issue with a family member’s Honda. It does all the OBD stuff as well as vehicle specific things and can graph the live values from the sensors in the car. It has been the key to solving a number of issues I’ve had at home vs paying someone who actually knows what the hell they are doing.

boxrocket > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms
10/13/2018 at 16:30

I have access to professional scanners at work, but for my own car and for checking in cars, I use a more basic Zurich I got earlier this year, as well as an old Mac Tools (which is a rebranded something or other, but still does a great job, although slow-ish). I’m especially grateful to the Zurich for having the instant-read readiness monitors, so I can tell a customer if their car will pass emissions before a tech even sees the car.