I am starting to hate the check engine light in my car. What's a good diagnostic computer to buy?

 

I bought an Actron 9175 a few years back, and I love it. Very easy to use, and has saved myself lots of money.

 

they have a obd2 reader on amazon for $20....its reads the code and tells you what it is, thats all u need and it waaaay cheap

 

can it erase codes? sometimes "cheap" isnt the best option.

 

Could always get a Cipher for 200$.

 

Or an AE unit. Even without the enhanced Nissan package, it can read a good number of sensors and clear codes, IIRC.

http://www.autoenginuity.com/

 

AE & Cipher would be/are my first recommendations.

A lot of the lower budget items don;t allow too much versatility, and of course, the codes they tend to spit out are generic as heck, and don't really help you even if you have an FSM on hand.

Also, if you own multiple vehicle types, the AE is probably the better investment, since Cipher is Nissan/Infiniti specific.

 

I still have my old AE, complete with serial to USB adapter. Using it on the Acuras but haven't had a need to buy the Honda pack just yet.

 

Have an Android smartphone? Get this bluetooth ODB2 adapter www.plxkiwi.com/kiwibluetooth and the Torque app (paid) and you are set. Clears codes, data monitors and logging plus more.