Want an OBD scanner, recommendations?

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ukemike

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I would like to get an OBD2 scanner for use on my 2002 Suburban. I have some issues with the ABS, and in general I would like to be able to access as much functionality as possible without spending a fortune, and reading ABS related codes is a must.

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations they would share?
 

Fless

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Some of the ABS functionality will be dictated by whatever app you use with the dongle. For instance, with my OBDLink MX+ I use the supplied app (OBDLink) for my Ford, but Torque Pro (Ian Hawkins) is what I use with my Hoe. I can't tell you if the MX+ reads ABS codes, though.
 

Matthew Jeschke

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Bidirectional? Or just one to check codes / read?

I have a generic Bluetooth dongle to read codes. You plug it into the diagnostic port and connect with phone. I use Torque Lite as a scan tool. Works like a champ, fits in the glove box. I only wish there was an option for one to build into the dash.

For bidirectional stuff I'm cheap. I a generic VCX Nano cause it came with Tech 2 Win. I also have HP Tuners adapter and VCM scanner (software). Not sure if you need a license to scan.

Lastly, you can do bidirectional with these, or just use them as a scanner. If tech 2 hadn't come with the VCX Nano I'd have bought one of these...

 

filthysuburban

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I have the obdx pro vx, haven't used tech2win but it's supposed to work on these (I also have a tech2 clone). The pro vx dongle also has a generic bluetooth odb adapter mode for any car which is nice for the price. I got it to flash tunes though.. I would recommend it if you don't mind fiddling around with a laptop or phone and want to save some cash, otherwise a real bi-directional scan tool or tech2 clone might be easier (less laptop fiddling) way to run your abs pump.
 
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ukemike

ukemike

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The Tech 2 that everyone refers to. Is this a clone of it? Could that have similar functionality? The price seems reasonable compared to even a single visit to a mechanic. It seems a real GM Tech 2 is hard to come by and expensive. Figures. There is a green and black Bosch that seems like a real Tech 2 clone but it is also quite pricey. I am interested in a 2 way, and I guess I'd rather have a handheld unit that isn't wireless and that has as much of the GM specific capabilities built in. Under $300 would be great. I've looked at lots but they all make various claims and it's hard to tell which of them a blowing smoke and which might be useful.

I have a bluetooth dongle that I got for some other cars and for when I was doing my used car search. I have tried a few some phone apps. I found an app that reads most of the honda hybrid codes, but I am not generally impressed with the phone apps.


PS thanks for the replies so far, sorry it took me so long to respond.
 

2006Tahoe2WD

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I just ordered a Kingbolen K7 after watching too many YouTube videos. We'll see what it can do with my 2006 5.3 non-flex. I want to see if there are more PIDS that can be graphed compared to the usual. Also I'll confirm what two-way functions/tests are available. I can report here or some other place - depending on what people want. I had a Foxwell NT510 Elite but it had a hardware issue and I got my money back.
 

Doubeleive

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The Tech 2 that everyone refers to. Is this a clone of it? Could that have similar functionality? The price seems reasonable compared to even a single visit to a mechanic. It seems a real GM Tech 2 is hard to come by and expensive. Figures. There is a green and black Bosch that seems like a real Tech 2 clone but it is also quite pricey. I am interested in a 2 way, and I guess I'd rather have a handheld unit that isn't wireless and that has as much of the GM specific capabilities built in. Under $300 would be great. I've looked at lots but they all make various claims and it's hard to tell which of them a blowing smoke and which might be useful.

I have a bluetooth dongle that I got for some other cars and for when I was doing my used car search. I have tried a few some phone apps. I found an app that reads most of the honda hybrid codes, but I am not generally impressed with the phone apps.


PS thanks for the replies so far, sorry it took me so long to respond.
there is no need for a original tech2, the clones do the exact same thing
the only difference is the clone has a inferior power regulator, so if you need to cycle the key for specific diagnostic purposes it will instead reboot.
the fix for that one issue is to simply plug in a 12v dc household power adapter and you are golden.
clones run around $300-350
 

2006Tahoe2WD

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Innova 3100 if you just want to read/clear:


5610 if you want bi-directional:

The 516 looks good. Not a big screen. I'll see how I like the Kingbolen. I like that the Innova seems to have good USA support.
 

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