What (scan) tools do you use?
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 1:27 am
It always interests me to know how other owners take care of their cars. With the age (and lets face it, relatively low economic value) of our cars, getting them repaired competently for a reasonable price is kind of difficult. Since our Berettas and Corsicas (and Tempests for those of us further North) span GM OBD1, 1.5 (hate, hate, hate), AND OBD2, we really do have a wealth of variety.
So, for those of us who either do our own repairs, or at least want to know what is going on with our fine four-fendered friends before simply handing our keys and credit-cards to someone with a wrench, the question for today is, how do you scan your cars? What diagnostic tools do you use?
Always budget-minded, like my cars, some of my tools are, um, 'vintage'. I own a Snap-On 'Brick', old MT2500 series. Capable of OBD 1-2, it is still versatile. With the add-on cartridges I have, I am limited to generic OBD2 past 2001. Otherwise, I can get pretty specific for most vehicles I am likely to see. I no longer do much with European cars, and have never purchased any of those modules for my 'Brick'. I also have an Innova OBD 2 generic scanner, and the OBD 1 connection kit as well, but it is very limited on OBD 1 -i.e., no data, just codes. I also have an ELM 327 to connect my laptop to an OBD 2 vehicle, and have been happy with it for what it is. The graphing options are nice with some of the available software, and for $14 I couldn't go wrong. Some of this was bought as a down-graded set to cheaply replace the extensive tools that were stolen about five years ago. Oh, and lets not forget one of the ultimate diagnostic tools, the well-rounded and ever utilitarian paper clip!
What other tools have been chosen, and why? What features do you use most?
So, for those of us who either do our own repairs, or at least want to know what is going on with our fine four-fendered friends before simply handing our keys and credit-cards to someone with a wrench, the question for today is, how do you scan your cars? What diagnostic tools do you use?
Always budget-minded, like my cars, some of my tools are, um, 'vintage'. I own a Snap-On 'Brick', old MT2500 series. Capable of OBD 1-2, it is still versatile. With the add-on cartridges I have, I am limited to generic OBD2 past 2001. Otherwise, I can get pretty specific for most vehicles I am likely to see. I no longer do much with European cars, and have never purchased any of those modules for my 'Brick'. I also have an Innova OBD 2 generic scanner, and the OBD 1 connection kit as well, but it is very limited on OBD 1 -i.e., no data, just codes. I also have an ELM 327 to connect my laptop to an OBD 2 vehicle, and have been happy with it for what it is. The graphing options are nice with some of the available software, and for $14 I couldn't go wrong. Some of this was bought as a down-graded set to cheaply replace the extensive tools that were stolen about five years ago. Oh, and lets not forget one of the ultimate diagnostic tools, the well-rounded and ever utilitarian paper clip!
What other tools have been chosen, and why? What features do you use most?