OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

QC

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I'm going to buy a cheap OBD2 scanner. I am thinking less than $50. There are so many and now there are WiFi/Bluetooth units that allow you to use a PC, iPad or SmartPhone. I am leaning that way. Any advice or comments?
 
MTboatguy

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I picked up an OBD2 cable on ebay for $30 bucks that hooks up to the usb port on my laptop, and downloaded a free program that runs under windows to display codes as well as a ton of other information on the cars, quite a slick set up for working on the car.

I can also hook up to my Lenovo android tablet with a usb adapter and use the tablet as well to diagnose problems in the car.
 
QC

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I assume you can clear codes as well? Seems like a cable may be the simplest, and cleanest way to do this. I don't need wireless just to say it's wireless... Also seems like a cable would allow me to upgrade via software/Apps. Hmmm.
 
MTboatguy

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

Yes you can read and clear codes, it also shows what each cylinder is doing, if there is an impending code getting ready to throw and a whole bunch of other stuff.
 
Bob_VT

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

There are regular scanners that handle showing codes and clearing codes HOWEVER the cheaper models do not do ABS and when you enter the ABS area you also need to check ahead to see if your brand car is covered. I do know that Honda ABS need specific readers.

I have a Scan Gauge II which was not under $50 but does almost everything (No ABS) and I have been using that for over 7 years.
 
MTboatguy

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

If I wanted to spend the money, I can upgrade my software to do ABS systems, but instead of spending the money, I just take the car to Autozone and they scan the brake system if I need it.
 
JustJason

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I agree with Bob. You might be better off getting a better one. I have a mid level Innova scanner and it works fairly well. The nice thing about it is it does ABS and also deals with some of the traction control. If you can get them at the right time you can get fairly good deals on one. I got mine on a 1 day amazon fire say, it was like 60% off.
 
QC

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

How does that comment ^^^^ relate to using a cable or WiFi and different level Apps? Seems like I could upgrade whenever I wanted if I went that route.
 
bruceb58

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I have the Autoenguinuity one but it is pricey at $250. I wanted the enhanced Toyota interface(extra of course) So I didn't mind paying a little more for the professional quality scanner. With the Autoenginuity, if you want to do anything beyond basic ODB2 which would include transmission, ABS, traction control, even bleeding brakes properly, you need to get a particular manufacturer's enhanced interface upgrade.

https://www.autoenginuity.com/

Depends on what you want to do I guess. If you just want to read the codes and clear the CEL, any one of the cheap ones will do that.

A couple years ago, I did buy one of the inexpensive $50 OBD2 scanners on ebay. What a hunk of junk. Besides not being able to work with 64 bit windows, it was so flakey that I would have to start and restart all the time to actually read anything. It went in the trash can.
 
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oldjeep

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

bruceb58 said:
I
A couple years ago, I did buy one of the inexpensive $50 OBD2 scanners on ebay. What a hunk of junk. Besides not being able to work with 64 bit windows, it was so flakey that I would have to start and restart all the time to actually read anything. It went in the trash can.
Click to expand...

One of those ELM based scanners that hooks up to the USB port? I had a $15 version of one of those that didn't want to run on anything but an old XP laptop.
 
bruceb58

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

oldjeep said:
One of those ELM based scanners that hooks up to the USB port? I had a $15 version of one of those that didn't want to run on anything but an old XP laptop.
Click to expand...
Possibly. Wasn't worth the trouble.
 
MTboatguy

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I just took a look at ebay and the usb/OBD2 scanners they are showing right now look cheap, they are quite a bit different looking than the one I purchased over a year ago, mine has a heavy shielded cable and the plug is a nice well made heavy duty plug much like the one on my Mac tools scanner, those on ebay right now, look like the cheap Chinese knock off stuff. The price of the ones on there right now are quite a bit less than what I paid for mine.
 
QC

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I have used a super cheap one that did most of what I want. And this one seems a lot like that. Autel MS300:

511wAoE-OzL.jpg


With that said, sure seems to me now that the Bluetooth or hard cable to PC/Smart phone/pad type deal would give me the most options and would be almost infinitely upgradable. Am I getting this right? Or is a dedicated tool, even a cheapo one, still the better route?
 
oldjeep

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

Depends on what the dedicated tool shows. The nice thing about the smartphone/pc version is that the software will show you all of the sensor readings on one page in real time rather than having to scroll through them one at a time.
 
QC

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

Yeah, I like that, and reminds me of the stuff we can see on an OEM truck engine tool. You can learn a lot just by watching the various data points.
 
rogerwa

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I have the scan tool that just gives basic code retrieval and CEL clearing. I just ordered the one that Oldjeep recommended for the very reason of seeing live data. If it doesn't work, I am only out about $20. If it lets me check the o2 snesors, fuel pressure, and other readings, its worth $20.

Like the Bluetooth so I can put my smartphone in the car holster and see live reading without a cable.
 
oldjeep

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

rogerwa said:
I have the scan tool that just gives basic code retrieval and CEL clearing. I just ordered the one that Oldjeep recommended for the very reason of seeing live data. If it doesn't work, I am only out about $20. If it lets me check the o2 snesors, fuel pressure, and other readings, its worth $20.

Like the Bluetooth so I can put my smartphone in the car holster and see live reading without a cable.
Click to expand...

Just realize that you are going to need software of some sort to use the one I linked to. There is a free version of OBD Auto Doctor, which after I tried it out I bought the paid version. Torque is another popular software to use.
 
rogerwa

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Re: OBD2 Scanners, WiFi? Hardwire?

I have windows phone as well and checked out the auto doctor software.. Will do the same as you..
 
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