odb II reader options?

[Josh Assing]

The other day; while at a car wash; the car started running really rough (idle
down to about 250-400rpm) and then the check engine light came on.

so I started looking for inexpensive odb II readers...

there's a few options out there for reading these...

This is cheap. seems ok.
http://laplogger.com/index.shtml

This one seems cool becuase we can just leave it plugged in as it's not too big.
http://www.provantage.com/pr_77486.htm

This one seems easier as you don't need a pc.
http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/eqobdiicodre.html

I would like one that we can alter parameters if needed (I know the one from
SnapOn can do that - alter fuel mixtures, etc -- but that's over $500)

Anyone have any insight/advise?


Thanks
-josh

 

[Sam Li]

Heard from my friends on east coast saying that autozone can read the error
code for free.
I don't know if this if true since there's no autozone within 30mins' drive
from my place, but it worth a try even with the high gas price these days.

Sam

 

[CompUser]

Heard from my friends on east coast saying that autozone can read the error
code for free.
I don't know if this if true since there's no autozone within 30mins' drive
from my place, but it worth a try even with the high gas price these days

It's true (Autozone pulling codes for free)! Was
at one last week, looking for replacement low
beam bulbs...an older Outback pulled in next to
me. We chatted for a bit, he was experiencing
some driveability problems...I told him, "Let's
get em to pull your codes!!" Away we went--they
found misfire in cylinder X, he got new wires,
slapped em on, and drove it...problem solved!
Good stuff.

Steve

 

[null]

I bought the carchip 2 weeks ago $132.xx shipped. I like it because I can
log mph,timing advance,engine load,fuel trim,rpm. It will also let you
view codes and clear them and see the logged data that caused the code (if
car is equipped).

 

[Sam Li]

If the device can get the error code, it will get all the other data like
rpm, speed, etc. Just different command other than getting / erasing the
error code. The error log is a functionality of the ECU, and there's a
command to read it.

I bought the carchip 2 weeks ago $132.xx shipped. I like it because I can
log mph,timing advance,engine load,fuel trim,rpm. It will also let you
view codes and clear them and see the logged data that caused the code (if
car is equipped).

 

[Josh Assing]

well; by now the check engine light is off -- we did go and have ti read; but
nothing showed....
I was told that it's best to get it read while it's "on"

 

[Jim Stewart]

The other day; while at a car wash; the car started running really rough (idle
down to about 250-400rpm) and then the check engine light came on.

so I started looking for inexpensive odb II readers...

there's a few options out there for reading these...

This is cheap. seems ok.
http://laplogger.com/index.shtml

This one seems cool becuase we can just leave it plugged in as it's not too big.
http://www.provantage.com/pr_77486.htm

This one seems easier as you don't need a pc.
http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/eqobdiicodre.html

I would like one that we can alter parameters if needed (I know the one from
SnapOn can do that - alter fuel mixtures, etc -- but that's over $500)

Anyone have any insight/advise?

I bought this unit a few months ago:

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html

It works as-described on my 99 Outback and paid for itself
the first time I used it.

Having to use a laptop with it is a hassle, but it does give
a great deal more information than a simple code reader.

 

[popeye]

That unit from Harrison also works with a PDA.

I bought this unit a few months ago:

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html

It works as-described on my 99 Outback and paid for itself
the first time I used it.

Having to use a laptop with it is a hassle, but it does give
a great deal more information than a simple code reader.

 

[null]

Looks like an Elmscan unit which I thinking of getting but didn't like the
idea of having my laptop
hooked up to it. BTW, the Elmscan units can be pretty cheap if you buy it
in kit form and solder it up
yourself.

 

[Tony Hwang]

Looks like an Elmscan unit which I thinking of getting but didn't like
the idea of having my laptop
hooked up to it. BTW, the Elmscan units can be pretty cheap if you buy
it in kit form and solder it up
yourself.

Hi,
I am using it with Digimoto on my Thinkpad. Very useful.
Tony