Gang, I've read most (if not all, that would be crazy) of the CEL posts and - obviously - an OBD2 scanner tool is clearly an essential item. From the posts, it appears that the Innova or Equus 3100 is the best all-around scanner. That said, I am seeing newer and more advanced scanners by Innova and/or Equus out there and am wondering if the 3100 is out of date now and whether there is better model available. I'm going to go buy one tonight after work so some quick feedback/recommendations from the 355 posse would be much appreciated. Thanks all. ketel
I am using a Elandpower Bluetooth ELM 327 Scanner OBDII (search for that on Amazon) and torque app on a droid tablet (works on phones too). It provides a big touch screen interface and does all your typical OBDII reading, clearing and monitoring. It also does allot more such as allowing you to record data points, graph them real time and email the data to your PC. I haven't touched my dedicated reader since buying this tablet / ELM setup. And above all, whatever you go with DO make sure that the immobilizer is off when trying to talk to the ECU otherwise everything will look OK, but nothing will work, you will get very angry and feel really stupid when you find out about the immobilizer detail.
I bought a generic ELM 327 scanner cord and software on Ebay for less than $20 years ago. Works awesomely through my laptop, giving me a very large display. Here is an example for $11: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-V1-5-OBD2-OBDII-CAN-BUS-Auto-Diagnostic-USB-Interface-Code-Scanner-Reader-/130702681272?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e6e7ca4b8 (for a couple dollars more, you can get a bluetooth compatible version) Search for "ELM 327" and you can find versions that are Iphone and Android compatible as well for around $30, though I have not tried them. Works with any OBDII compliant car built since 1996. I use it on my BMW and my GFs Toyota Tundra. The freeware that is included allows for reading active and pending codes, and clearing them. It also allows for reading the outputs on all your engine sensors, such as air intake temp, coolant temp, rpm, throttle postion, pre and post catalyst O2 sensor outputs, short and long term fuel trims, etc. There are other freeware programs available for download that allow for graphing and freeze frame of the sensor outputs.
http://www.plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSSTBLUETOOTH I'm really liken this. Also, friends have exported the streaming data of this OBD2 player, merged with Aim Solo, merged video on racestudio for streaming data views with laptime dashboard on video! Awesome just awesome.
I ordered one of the Ebay $11 scanners and even though the posting lists 13 different programs included with the device, there are only 5 included and some are beta versions. I have easy obd2 and ElmScan 5. Try www.obdcom.com for a very esay system to use. Try www.scantool.net for a more complicated system that uses Palmer software. Stay away from Innovate motorsports stuff, I bought their first attempt OT-1 system and they never got it to work or provided software updates to get it to function. Spent $500 and they hung us out to dry. Remember to read F cars, the engine must be running. FWIW Jeff Pintler 89 348tb, 86tr, 99 360 3-pedal
