Any leads on a Diagnostic Scanner OBD-II?

[island]

All the posts I can find refer to the older code scanners. I have a 96 4L 4x4 that I would like to find out why its engine light goes on and stays there, but the cheapest code scanner I can find is 250$ Which cuts into the superchip fund. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any other sources?
Thanks

 

[RVerdejo]

Saw one in the newest JC Whitney catalog by Actron...PN 81RE7745N. On sale for $159.99

Check these guys out...
http://jcwhitney.com

or
Dead Link Removed

I haven't heard any feedback yet on this scanner, so have not made a purchase yet. Hopefuly someone that has used it can provide some unbiased feedback.

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Don't Worry about things you can control...
Don't Worry about things you cannot control.

96 Eddie Bauer AWD V8
Two other cars that aren't Explorers

 

[island]

Thanks, thats the best price, I've seen yet. Considering its going to run at least 30$ just to get a local place to dump the codes thats not half bad. Too bad JC whitney doesn't offer online sale codes like carparts... oh well.
Thanks again.

 

[TEX]

If you go to your local auto parts store and ask for the little key that will allow you to pull your own code, they will often just give it to you. I believe that pulling the codes is as simple as shorting two terminals together and turning the key on. some vehicles even have a setup where you turn the key on/off a specific number of times and it will display the codes for you. Please don't buy a $250.00 code scanner. I got my free key at AutoZone. You might try them if there is one near you. Also, the Chilton/Haynes manuals usually have instructions on how to pull the codes yourself.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[Phantom]

Hey Tex, what year is youe Explorer?

 

[DannyB]

Hi TEX. Little key? What little key? What does it look like so I could explain to the brain-dead gorilla behind the counter here at my local shop.

Thanx,

Danny

 

[island]

Tex, are you sure your not talking about the OBD I systems that were in the 95 and older cars. For those all you need is a volt meter and your set, just count the needle swings. But since the newer OBDII uses letters and numbers, I don't know of anyway to get around using a scanner.
But I'm curious about the key,
Thanks

 

[scrutton]

I recently purchased the Actron OBD-II diagnostic scanner from JC Whitney (for 19996 vehicles and onwards). I used it last night and scanned the codes from two vehicles. The unit works wonderfully to date. Scanning takes all of about 1 minute per vehicle and can be done from the drivers seat. It cost me $179 (no shipping), which is kind of pricey, but in the long run, I think it will pay for itself. Plus, it's just kind of nice to have one. Test tools are great!

 

[kilroy]

For those of you who own a laptop, there is an OBDII to Serial cable set and software that will diagnose trouble codes, and give real time accurate readings of every sensor. The price is between $130-200 dollars for the converter. Software upgrades are free. Unfortunatly, it's noninteractive, so you can't use it for programming.

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97 Explorer XLT
V8 AWD
Snorkless box W/ K&N Filter
http://www.grandillusion.org/xlt.htm

 

[n5xmt]

Check out http://www.obd-2.com/
His new version of the "blue box" is fairly inexpensive, and he has some new software that allows you to play with the OBD-II so you can try to figure out re-programming the EEC-V etc.


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1997 E.B. V8 AWD Explorer
Motorsports headers
Magnaflow Dual 2.5" in 3" out
3" Tailpipe with NO resonator
K&N Filter
opened air box inlet
3.73 gears

 

[jjue]

Originally posted by n5xmt
Check out http://www.obd-2.com/
His new version of the "blue box" is fairly inexpensive, and he has some new software that allows you to play with the OBD-II so you can try to figure out re-programming the EEC-V etc.

Hey, has anyone used this scanner? Is it just a scanner, or is it capable of programming ODB-II/EEC-V? I downloaded the demo & looked through the site, and I haven't been able to find anything on programming the vehicle's computer.

From what I can tell so far just from the websites & demo software, it isn't quite as good as the Autotap as far as the logging limits and the interface, but it does seem to match the Autotap's capabilities. Then again, this scan tool is less than half than the Autotap's $289 price tag, and you pretty much get the same data from both. The Autotap does it better, but is it really $167 worth better?

Has anyone compared the two or have any feedback for the two. So far it's between this scanner and the Autotap, but I'm definitely leaning towards this cheaper scanner since it can do the same thing as the Autotap, but not as well, is cheaper, and might have the ability to program, if someone can tell me how.

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by RVerdejo
Saw one in the newest JC Whitney catalog by Actron...PN 81RE7745N. On sale for $159.99

Check these guys out...
http://jcwhitney.com

or
Dead Link Removed

I haven't heard any feedback yet on this scanner, so have not made a purchase yet. Hopefuly someone that has used it can provide some unbiased feedback.

------------------
Don't Worry about things you can control...
Don't Worry about things you cannot control.

96 Eddie Bauer AWD V8
Two other cars that aren't Explorers

Actually that part number is JC Whitney's SKU number. The Actron (Sunpro) part number is CP9035. You can get it for $139.39 at Summit Racing (www.summitracing.com). Do a search by manufacturer (select Actron), under the part number box type CP9035 and hit Go. It will take you to the screen that will let you add it to your shopping cart for $139.39.