http://www.ebay.com....nwAAOSwdGFYpdQh
Thinking of getting one for my stepfather. From the description, it reads the error codes etc and could be very useful - at the very least he will know if a mechanic is BS-ing him.
Anyone tried one of these diagnostic tools?
Started by
Steve TPF
, Aug 10 2017 07:54 PM
14 replies to this topic
#1
Steve TPF
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Posted 10 August 2017 - 07:54 PM
#2
RallyRed
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Posted 10 August 2017 - 08:19 PM
Borrowed a very similar unit off a mate to chase an issue with son's HSV.
They are quite useful.....but can also display a whole lot of red herring info e.g. may display 5 logged issues, but the real issue caused 4 of them, and the other 1 is of no real consequence.
Certainly useful though.
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#3
Steve TPF
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Posted 11 August 2017 - 08:30 PM
Good point about the false flags - but frankly I don't see how you can diagnose a modern car without a device like this. It probably depends on how good the OBD system is. My brother has a similar device for his Alpha Romeo - BECAUSE HE IS A frOckING IDIOT WHO BUYS CARS WITH TRANSVERSE-MOUNTED ENGINES THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK ON!
On the plus side, the OBD is pretty good. And from what I have seen they get better all the time. Some late-model cars will tell you when the brake pads need changing.
#4
_LS1 Taxi_
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Posted 11 August 2017 - 08:38 PM
The cheap tools like the one above are useless piles of shit.
Waste of money IMO.
Waste of money IMO.
#5
Steve TPF
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Posted 12 August 2017 - 01:18 PM
The cheap tools like the one above are useless piles of shit.
Waste of money IMO.
Useless in what way? All it promises to do is read the error codes - don't they do that?
#6
_LS1 Taxi_
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Posted 12 August 2017 - 02:09 PM
Useless in what way? All it promises to do is read the error codes - don't they do that?
1. Compatibility to makes/models is extremely limited
2. False positives everywhere. You'll have a misfire due to a #@$^%& ignition lead and it will spit out codes like (fuel map on right bank out of range, o2 sensor fail, vacuum sensor fail etc etc)
Reality is that most semi-modern cars rarely need to be scanned. For the rare occasion it does, go to a decent auto elec and get them to scan it with their whizbang $10k machine.
#7
RallyRed
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Posted 12 August 2017 - 09:20 PM
Test
#8
RallyRed
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Posted 12 August 2017 - 09:22 PM
Hmm ..funny thread this one.. Ive posted several replies, several times. But they dont show up. Not typin em a fifth time.. Maybe just the point -
can be useful..can be confusing.
Good for tracking stuff down IF you can see the forrest for the trees.
can be useful..can be confusing.
Good for tracking stuff down IF you can see the forrest for the trees.
#9
Rockoz
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Lotsa Posts!
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Posted 13 August 2017 - 11:56 AM
Used to be able to download EFI Live for free for diagnostics.
Just couldnt do any reprogramming with it.
All you need is a laptop and the appropriate lead.
Would give you all fault codes.
Not sure if you could reset though.
Could buy a licence though for about 200 if you wanted to make changes
#10
rodomo
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Posted 14 August 2017 - 01:00 AM
Exactly............you still have to use your brain as well.They are quite useful.....but can also display a whole lot of red herring info e.g. may display 5 logged issues, but the real issue caused 4 of them, and the other 1 is of no real consequence.
Certainly useful though.
We have a $35 one that gets used daily in my job. Enough to give the owner an idea of the problem and whether to continue driving.
#11
TerrA LX
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Posted 14 August 2017 - 10:05 AM
I bought a $6 blue tooth one off ebay from china, downloaded their app straight from them, no google or apple shite, $10 smart phone holder, does codes etc also real time display temp, rev, timing etc etc etc it's fantastic.
Edited by TerrA LX, 14 August 2017 - 10:11 AM.
#12
Steve TPF
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Posted 14 August 2017 - 06:09 PM
I bought a $6 blue tooth one off ebay from china, downloaded their app straight from them, no google or apple shite, $10 smart phone holder, does codes etc also real time display temp, rev, timing etc etc etc it's fantastic.
Got a link for that? Or at least a name I can look for?
#13
TerrA LX
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Posted 14 August 2017 - 07:09 PM
OBD2 bluetooth wireless, there are literately 1000s from few dollars and up
App is called torque pro
#14
Steve TPF
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Posted 14 August 2017 - 09:09 PM
Thanks!
#15
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Posted 21 August 2017 - 08:37 PM
Yeah, the one I brought ages ago when I installed an LS1 into a HX was a $25 OBD2 wireless Bluetooth that plugged into the car & I brought the app DashCommand(was $75 back then but is like $25 now) & had great success with it. Has all the diagnostic stuff plus a crap-ton of other features. Even let's you clear fault codes.
Cheers, Nig.
Cheers, Nig.
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