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How to choose a right code reader for our Maxi?

Old Jun 7, 2013 | 10:30 AM
  #1  
erictown's Avatar
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How to choose a right code reader for our Maxi?

Since it is not expensive at all, I decide to buy a stethoscope for my 2000SE.

There are tons of different code scanners on the market. They are all OBD-II type, which one should I go for?

any suggestions? Thank you.

Last edited by erictown; Jun 7, 2013 at 10:40 AM.
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 10:34 AM
  #2  
2damax's Avatar
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Just to read codes? I got the elm357 and downloaded a $5 app on my phone. $30 total and I have used it for about a year with no issues.
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 10:45 AM
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about 80% of the guys in my shop buy a Autel Maxiscan MS509 mainly so we don't have to bother finding the shop code reader.

AUTEL MaxiScan MS509/OBD2 eobd Scanner Code Reader/MS 509 GS 509 GS509 : Amazon.com : Automotive AUTEL MaxiScan MS509/OBD2 eobd Scanner Code Reader/MS 509 GS 509 GS509 : Amazon.com : Automotive

You can get them for around $55 and for the price nothing will come close to being as good.

I've had mine for about 2 years now and can read all OBD 2 codes along with manufacter only codes and also show everything your car is doing.

It's also a scanner so you can read what your O2 sensor are doing, check your coolant temperature, vehicle speed, engine load, IAT temps, MAF readings, Fuel trim pretty much everything that you will want to know from your car.

It also come with a cable to record data and upload it to your computer so you can record what everything is doing and we watch it. helps to pinpoint random stuff like a flaky MAF sensor that acting up.

Last edited by a33nismo; Jun 7, 2013 at 10:50 AM.
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 10:52 AM
  #4  
Denali n DOO's Avatar
 
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From: Kitchener Ontario
I have a Launch 6830 scan tool, I'll have to see if it works on the Maxima when I get it, I'm sure it will. It reads codes and engine info with live recording.

I also hear that Torque app for Android works really well to. They have a free version and a paid version, the paid is much better. You'll need a bluetooth plug thingy to plug into the OBDII port.

Good luck with what you get...
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 11:14 AM
  #5  
erictown's Avatar
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Ok, I thought a scanner is only to scan error codes, now seems it can do more than that and diagnosis more. That makes choosing even harder......
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 11:26 AM
  #6  
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The Torque app for Android works very well. Once you get the software all you need is a Bluetooth adapter (~$15 IIRC from eBay). It reads codes and gives live readings for temperatures and most of the sensors on the car like the professional scanners do. You can make graphs of the sensor readings as well.
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 11:32 AM
  #7  
Denali n DOO's Avatar
 
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From: Kitchener Ontario
Originally Posted by erictown
Ok, I thought a scanner is only to scan error codes, now seems it can do more than that and diagnosis more. That makes choosing even harder......
I had an lean code on my Envoy, both banks and was able to determine the issue by watching the fuel trims and O2 sensors. I cleaned MAF and throttle body and corrected it. It will be easier for people here to help you diagnose problems if your able to relay exactly what is going on. I'd go for more than just a code reader...you could even split the cost with a friend and share one.
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 11:40 AM
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on the Bluetooth dongle with smartphone setup

And for me, Torque sucks *****. I got OBDDroidScan Pro, and that lets me do realtime monitors of O2 voltages, temperature, etc... worth the 3 bucks (plus 20 for the OBD adapter)

Love the ability to clear the code while driving too (well, I drive, the passenger clears the code..gotta be good for something)
Old Jun 7, 2013 | 06:02 PM
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SnapOnPlus. Laptop and live feed data with tuning.
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