What OBD-II Scanner to use???

[AndyW]

I have a 1999 Subaru LOB Wagon, VIN 4S3BG6853X7621967, 2.5L, that is OBD-II
compliant and the check enging light just came on recently. Car is running
fine, but the wife is concerned and it "bugs" me that it's on. The connector
for pulling codes with a scanner/retriever tool is 16-pin has active pins on
1,4,5,9,10,12,13.

Anyone had any experience with a particular reader that can pull codes from
this vehicle using a scan tool? I was leaning towards getting an Actron
CP9125, but I'm not sure if it'll work.

Any info on what has worked for others would be greatly appreciated. I can
be emailed direct at (e-mail address removed).
Thanks.
Andy

 

[mulder]

I have a 1999 Subaru LOB Wagon, VIN 4S3BG6853X7621967, 2.5L, that is OBD-II
compliant and the check enging light just came on recently. Car is running
fine, but the wife is concerned and it "bugs" me that it's on. The connector
for pulling codes with a scanner/retriever tool is 16-pin has active pins on
1,4,5,9,10,12,13.

Anyone had any experience with a particular reader that can pull codes from
this vehicle using a scan tool? I was leaning towards getting an Actron
CP9125, but I'm not sure if it'll work.

Any info on what has worked for others would be greatly appreciated. I can
be emailed direct at (e-mail address removed).
Thanks.
Andy

The Actron unit may work, although I think I have heard of some issues
with these not connecting to Subarus. I could be wrong though and it
might have been a different brand. I believe the Actrons are available
at auto parts stores so as long as they will let you return it if it
doesn't work you can try one.
Personally I'm a fan of the AutoXray units, you can check out their
products at www.autoxray.com
I currently have their top-of-the-line EZ-Scan 6000 which is a really
nice tool, but if you only require a code reader for occasional use
one of their less expensive scanners will do the job nicely.

 

[Blair Baucom]

Just saw this one at Wal-Mart for under $100. They mention Subaru on the
code lookup database.

http://www.iequus.com/item.asp?cid=7&pid=3100

Blair

 

[Ragnar]

I have a 1999 Subaru LOB Wagon, VIN 4S3BG6853X7621967, 2.5L, that is OBD-II
compliant and the check enging light just came on recently. Car is running
fine, but the wife is concerned and it "bugs" me that it's on. The connector
for pulling codes with a scanner/retriever tool is 16-pin has active pins on
1,4,5,9,10,12,13.

Anyone had any experience with a particular reader that can pull codes from
this vehicle using a scan tool? I was leaning towards getting an Actron
CP9125, but I'm not sure if it'll work.

Any info on what has worked for others would be greatly appreciated. I can
be emailed direct at (e-mail address removed).
Thanks.
Andy

Why spend the money for a unit you'll use once or twice? Most auto
parts stores like Auto Zone, etc., will read off the code for free.

 

[AndyW]

No Autozone here in Rapid City, SD. I called several parts stores and none
offered this service. I weighed the usage issue and thought it would be
cheaper to buy a unit rather than take it to the dealer and pay much more.
May need it later down the road as well. And, if any of my buddy's have a
need for it, possible $$ to loan it for use, just like my rototiller
Thanks.
Andy

 

[Wayne Farmer]

No Autozone here in Rapid City, SD. I called several parts stores and none
offered this service. I weighed the usage issue and thought it would be
cheaper to buy a unit rather than take it to the dealer and pay much more.
May need it later down the road as well. And, if any of my buddy's have a
need for it, possible $$ to loan it for use, just like my rototiller
Thanks.
Andy

Andy, I like the CarChip device. It's the size of a matchbox, flush-mounts
into the OBD-II port (a little wire bail is flipped up to pull it out), and
stays there while you drive. Not only can it read and reset trouble codes,
but it also can take a snapshot of selectable engine parameters (date and
time-stamped) as often as every 5 seconds while you drive, and store it in
its internal memory.

To view the logged information, you pull the CarChip from your car, attach
it to your PC or laptop with the supplied USB cable, download the
information and display it. And, software and firmware updates are
available free at the manufacturer's site.

See it at www.carchip.com .

Back when I bought the CarChipE/X at AutoZone, it was a serial port version
that requires a wall wart for power when it's attached to your PC; it works
fine with my 2001 Forester. The new versions use USB instead, so I imagine
they get their power from the PC while attached to the PC, so will be even
more convenient.

Wayne