Cheap ODB2 scanners any good?

[swathdiver]

Are cheap ODB2 scanners like this worth a damn for a driveway mechanic?

https://smile.amazon.com/ANCEL-AD31..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=73HZ2NMVD6CNZK22JDYH

Bought a Foseal WIFI OBDII adapter, will let you know how it works tomorrow when we hook it up.

 

[drakon543]

i like innova scanners as far as cheaper scanners

 

[wjburken]

i like innova scanners as far as cheaper scanners

I have a $20 Innova scanner that I keep in my glove box. Amazing how many times I’ve used it on friends and Co-workers cars. Not a Tech-2 by any means, but it can give a quick initial check. I also have a higher end Innova (can’t recall the model number at the moment) that reads SRS and ABS codes as well and connects to my phone via Bluetooth. I haven’t pulled the trigger on a Tech 2 yet.

 

[drakon543]

tech 2 is a nice tool to have but with some shopping around a more advanced scanner capable of reading all codes plus live data for under 80 bucks is a bonus in my book

 

[swathdiver]

tech 2 is a nice tool to have but with some shopping around a more advanced scanner capable of reading all codes plus live data for under 80 bucks is a bonus in my book

I don't know of any code readers that read BCM codes but if they are out there for $80 that's great. Programming is important too but is not something that will happen often.

My daughter hooked the Foseal Improved OBDII WIFI adapter up to our Pontiac Montana and Kia Spectra today. We paid the $10 for the DashCommand app and downloaded another. Neither one would give us all the ECM codes; DashCommand wanted us to purchase a GM specific package for $99! No thanks!

It would not give up the P05XX nor P018X codes. Anyone have experience with this?

 

[wjburken]

It would not give up the P05XX nor P018X codes. Anyone have experience with this?

What do you mean it won’t give them up?

 

[swathdiver]

What do you mean it won’t give them up?

It gave us the whole code for one problem and just as I wrote for the other two, the first 3 digits plus Xs and a note to buy the GM add-on for $99 to see the other two codes. For whatever reason, I cannot get that car to talk to my Tech-2 anymore, there's something wrong with the old girl and that's why we bought the OBDII adapter to try and talk to the computers with another device.

 

[wjburken]

It gas us the whole code for one problem and just as I wrote for the other two, the first 3 digits plus Xs and a note to buy the GM add-on for $99 to see the other two codes. For whatever reason, I cannot get that car to talk to my Tech-2 anymore, there's something wrong with the old girl and that's why we bought the OBDII adapter to try and talk to the computers with another device.

That’s interesting. Seems like an odd money grab. My Innovas have worked on any vehicle I have tried it on from Honda’s to Mercury’s to Nissans. If I want to get suggested fixes, I can buy a yearly subscription for a certain number of VIN’s but it always gives me the code at least.

 

[NardDog]

I own one of these cheapos, a bluetooth version and i think its worth it. I use it to check codes and see if my systems are i ready mode prior to getting my inspection done.

 

[montegutman]

Are cheap ODB2 scanners like this worth a damn for a driveway mechanic?

https://smile.amazon.com/ANCEL-AD31..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=73HZ2NMVD6CNZK22JDYH

Bought a $20 code reader from WalMart that saved me more than $2K on repairs on our high mileage Toyota Sienna (per Dealer repair quotes); so, I think it is subjective of the purpose. Luckily my Yukon K2500 XL LT has been so reliable I have not had the occasion to test the reader on it. It does not do nor claim to diagnose some of the ancillary systems. After driving to several parts stores for free diagnosis, I decided to try the WalMart reader to save the inconvenience of the fifty mile round trip to the parts guys and glad I bought it.
montegutman