Not sure how many of you have used and or own an OBD2 scanner. But if so which kind is it, and are you happy with it.
I'm looking into a couple options that have a pc software package. However I can decide on this one I like the most.
On neat one so far is at
www.carchip.com pretty dang cool...records up to 300 hours of trip time. I think thats good for people with intermitent problems. So they can look at the records it stores and say ok.......that day when I was driving such and such happened.

 

Funny you should be asking...there's a later post on the same subject. I have a laptop interface from obddiagnostics.com It works great and can record as long as you have enough hard drive space.

 

Bought 3769 scanner made by OTC Stinger ($125). Was not able to read out my code (P1320), since it was a 'Manufacturer specific code' and not generic. Not happy, but I'll keep the thing, maybe my Ford truck will spit up a code some day (and there is no manual method to read them out on that thing).

 

I bought my Actron OBD II scanner from autozone. They have two types. One that costs $140 and the other one that runs about $290. I bought the expensive one. I have hooked up it to numerous different types of cars aside from Nissan and works like a champ. No more going under the dash with a screw driver hell many cars dont have resets like 95-99 maximas/altimas ECUs

 

I have the Harrison OBDII program with my laptop http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html . It was $120 shipped and works great. It can record up to 4 sensors at a time. I've used it on 95 and 96 Maximas, a 96 Accord, and a 04 Toyota Sienna.


Dave

 

I like my screwdriver

 

Me too . Saved 270$ All you need is a screwdrivwer and a 20$ Haynes manual for the code descriptions.

 

I wish all my cars did the screwdriver trick.

 

Not when you have a 99 sel I dont have a screw.......and also these software systems will be used for more than just grabbing codes........they also monitor fuel pressure, timing advance, and various other sensors and settings. I'm trying to diagnose a problem with my car.....and it has no cel.

 

For you screwdriver people that only want to read the codes screwdriver is fine. Nissans from about 94-99 have the ECU that resets. Try to use the screw driver on some other car lets see if it will work?

We dont just use this OBD II to check codes these things do a bit more then that. Good for you if you saved $270.00, but you wont know what sensors are working properly and which ones are not?

 

Resetting the ECU is only about 1% of the functionality of an OBDII tool.

Here are a few of the readings it will get for you, plus it will datalog as well.

 

I spent $117 my OBD Scan and like Jime posted, it serves a ton of functions plus I can data log, watch sensor values under load, and record the values. Plus I can put to use my ancient lap top. IMO, the tool is invaluable for anyone that wrenches on a 95+ Maxima. Here it is in my car:



plotting throttle postion:



Also remember that reseting CELs with the screwdriver also means you're reseting the ECU entirely. This means it will take about 30 starts before the ECU finally adjusts parameters optimum. With the scanner the codes can be cleared without clearing the ECU. Also, "pending" codes are also shown which allows you to see codes that may be thrown in the future.

I bought the scanner primarily because my wife's Subaru Legacy GT doesn't let you retrieve codes like the Maxima and it doesn't let you reset them either. It's $70 at the dealer for each use. Another cool feature is that on 2001+ cars, the scanner will do A/F ratios. I've already used it on my father's 04 Sienna. So far the scanner has been used on 3 4th Maximas, 98 Legacy GT, 97 Accord, and 04 Sienna.


Dave

 

I need to get me one of these

 

Where did you get it for $120 shipped at?

Which is the best application to get for our cars?

 

Anyone tried the Palm or Laptop OBD II Dyno software feature??

 

rented an actron at autozone......very easy to use, and reads everything. actron 9135 was the exact model. Once my tax rreturn comes in, i'll be picking one up.

 

I got directly from the website I posted. It's $123 shipped. You want the "OBDScan-ISO9141 RS-232" because the ISO9141 is the protocol for nearly all the Japanese cars. Go to http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html and read up. There's tons of info there.


Dave

 

Great Thread!

Does anybody know the specifics of the OBDScan-Universal
RS-232 or OBDScanUSB-Universal? I also have a 2000 Ford truck and I wouldn't want to have to buy more than one.

From the descriptions on their web page it looks as if I need one of the universal models instead of the specific model Dave mentioned. Right?

 

you can buy the tool or software, if the harness is different in your ford or what ever you can buy that specific harness for it. Very simple. Harnesses are interchageable with the kit that you buy. They will sell them.

 

I have one of those cheap code reader/erasers sold on ebay. The screwdriver thing works on my 96 GXE but it doesn't on my another car. It doesn't do anything other than reading codes and resetting CEL, but it works on both cars and for 50 bucks I'm pretty much OK with it....