Hey guys, my check engine light has been coming on and going off for a couple weeks and I don't feel like taking it to a shop and paying $80, again, for them to do something I could possibly do for a one time price. First of all can these code readers only find certain problems or can they read all codes? I don't have very much knowledge of code readers so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

A scan tool will read all codes, but knowing the code and knowing the problem are two different things. I use elmscan 5, a scan tool that connects to your laptop. It is easy to use, has lots of features, and was very affordable at 40 dollars (amazon or ebay. The only downside is that you have to take your laptop out to your car to use it, but having the tool work through the computer makes for an easy to read interface.

There are plenty of affordable scan tools out there that will all work fine, and it's a useful tool to have. I would research on Amazon, using the reviews to find one that suits your needs.

 

If you have an android phone, you can buy ELM327 bluetooth off ebay (i bought off tomtop, http://cgi.ebay.com/ELM327-OBD2-OBDI...-/160550105283) for about $25. Then download the application torque (there's a free version) in the market which will allow you to communicate with it.

You can pull codes, clear them, or use it during everyday driving to monitor/log stuff.

Here's a youtube vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCZyxrS_ixY

 

i use scangauge 2.
but any cheap OBDii reader will do.
cheapest ones sold on ebay for ~40$.

 

Just ordered nearly the same than the one posted in the eBay link, tested before ordering as one of my friend bought it.
It does the job, with Torque on my Android installed, it will be perfect

 

if you have an advanced auto shop or aamco around you, you can go there and they will check it for free

 

does the free version clear codes?

 

Yup. I had a CEL and was able to take care of it.

 

I have this as well. Works great. But I bought a good bluetooth OBDII connector cause I didn't want to hassle if the cheap one's didn't work. The creator of the program warns of this.

Keep in mind only very expensive code readers will read ABS stuff, and only the dealers will read VSA stuff.

 

how do you know if its a good bluetooth adapter or not?