I'm in the market for one, I mostly want to just read the codes on my 05 maxima but it wouldn't be limited to just that as I'd be using it on other vehicles.
I don't really require live data or anything too flash. But there are A LOT on here that kind of fit the bill, I have an android phone and bluetooth on my laptop so could run one of those cheap bluetooth units but I don't know if they are any good or if I should be looking closer at a nissan specific scanner.
So what's the go with these things! Basically the most versatile for the least cash would be nice. I'm not running a shop with it so don't need an expensive unit with every adapter and compatibility with proprietary systems. Also high likelyhood a friend will borrow it and "lose it" .
intrade,
Sep 8, 7:04pm
your probably best to get one specific for your car that can do limmited other cars. There is no obd 2 tool that can do all cars. you can get generic ones but these are almost usless on some cars. nissan toyota etc are a special breed of cars i got the old nissan tool cable and i got a good multitasking tool but that stuggled on the alfaromeo for example . its got a fiat tool and the fiat agent did not even get on to the computer with his 2 tools.
intrade,
Sep 8, 7:06pm
You can get the elm tool but some are real poor the original maker of elm are wgsoft germany and i got the later advanced developed tool unicarscan from them for professional use . for vw i got another tool all over
intrade,
Sep 8, 7:08pm
elm is multi tasker if its not to poor china quality and for your nissan specific i would get the nissan consult there is a few on here listed make sure it has software with cable provided.
wilgil,
Sep 9, 11:45am
Mine was $13 from China post paid - bluetooth connection, I leave it connected all the time. It has worked on all my friends' cars fine so far.
trader_84,
Sep 9, 1:25pm
Polly . if I may :) Intrade, what about the SS Holden 5.7 VT . what is out there for this beastie! I asked awhile back but didn't do nothing . the cars still out the back of the shed and only gets used to give it a run. But I noticed last time the radiator light came on and stayed on. I did a physical check of the rad/hoses/coolant level etc after a good hard squirt down the road and it was ok - but the light still stayed on. This motor is going into a roddy type ride later on and I want it to be running sweet with no lights etc showing up prior to ripping it out. Whats out there for me! I don't mind spending a bit.
intrade,
Sep 9, 2:07pm
well check if you got a obd 2 connection being Gm it probably has from 96 onwards just like vw The problem is where generic scanner strugle are with niggly bits burried deeper and a code in the ecu does not mean the actual part is faulty they can get triggerd by something related http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-Board-Diagnose also be awear a radiator light like vw audi coolant level have on das is not the obd mill or check engine light. that light is for coolant level so if it is that one then the coolant level sensor will be faulty. Post what exact year you got Opel have a scanner called opeltech and i would think nut not 100% sure they would do holden also
trader_84,
Sep 9, 2:27pm
I just checked the paper work . its a 1999 VT 5.7. Sorry if I sound a little vague . I don't really know Holdens too well and only got it to rob the motor out of it. I plan on having another look at it sometime in the next few weeks. I need to check what light exactly, is coming up on the dash and when etc. I'll get back in this regard. Cheers dude.
kcc55a,
Sep 9, 3:30pm
$13 post paid from China !Pull the other one. Postage from China would be around $7 to $10 making the cost of the item around $3 to $6. Pull the other leg or provide a link. Cos I dont believe it.
carclan,
Sep 9, 6:29pm
I brought one of trademe for about $100.00 and worked in my 02 Fairmont but would not read all live data but most it would. Would rad fault codes etc
intrade,
Sep 9, 6:32pm
what one! i know the deeper stuff you need good tools or car make specific ones like vw=rosstech
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 9, 6:51pm
LOL, you would be amazed. I have bought $3 items from China with free shipping before. Go and have a look at dx.com
thejazzpianoma,
Sep 9, 6:58pm
With regard to OBD cables. An ELM 327 cable is a great start, bluetooth versions not so great with some software so I suggest starting with a real cable.
I use touchscan as my general cheap go to software, it will cost you about $35 or so from memory.
It reads OBD codes but what I find most useful is that it connects well to some of the more finiky OBD2 ones like Volvo etc (which don't necessarily like universal scanners even though the protocol is supposedly standard).
The other great thing with this software is you can set up parameters to monitor, take the car for a run and then play back the run while viewing your selected parameters in graph or even gauge form.
I find viewing whats going on and when like this often allows me to avoid resorting to a scope or testing individual components.
I have lots of other specialist software but this is easy to use and a good go to general workhorse.
pollymay,
Sep 9, 7:28pm
I have started with an ELM327 knockoff, it was cheap so I'm not too bothered. It will work on something at some point.
There are a few things going on with this car, I'm pretty sure one of the primary O2 sensors is not working right and I also suspect a misfire, the plugs are stuffed anyway. Went to buy plugs and almost died when they came back saying $250 for the set, this was at several places so I'm going to cross reference things myself and install some cheap coppers or something to diagnose so I can play with gaps etc. No way I'm putting really expensive iridiums in it only to trash them playing with things.
It starts, idles and runs fine but it goes into limp mode if you really give it the berries. Without a scanner of some kind I'm in the dark and would be just throwing parts at it. I had all the cylinder heads checked out and tickled up, spent hours retiming and generally fiddling about making sure all was right in the world. Took a while to start with the returnless rail but once it fired it has been fine except for this limp mode which might just be something I've left unplugged somewhere I can't see.
r15,
Sep 9, 8:02pm
shhhh how can I list things from there for huge profits if you tell everyone about it
pollymay,
Sep 12, 9:24pm
New plugs and a little poking around and I fixed it without the tool anyway. In the end the fly by wire throttle had a wire that was breaking connection sometimes. I spent a while with a multimeter and the solder then it was away, amazing how much more responsive the throttle is when all the wires are hooked up to.
The scantool turned up 30 minutes later in the mail and told me "you're all good man, no codes stored anymore"
Mine was only $13NZ (on special admittedly) - believe it.
trader_84,
Sep 13, 1:51pm
Jesus! Is this a trade secret! Lol! Look at the stuff! So this outfit can be trusted to send you the stuff and not overcharge!
intrade,
Sep 13, 4:35pm
that be us$ not nz
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