Originally Posted by diehardbiker

Please Google or use search engine and RESEARCH!

Originally Posted by purplecatty

I am thinking about getting USB OBD II Scanner cuz it's cheap and use USB connect to laptop. My truck popped engine check light again and I am just fed up and wanted to narrow down what's really wrong. I've replaced couple of Oxygen Sensor last spring. It seem that when weather is cold, Engine check light lit on and stays on all day..

I thought OBD II Scanner would cost around $100 and up until I looked through Ebay and found out there's cheap one out there using USB. I thought why not!!

I could afford "least used" tools addition for my toolbox. I can use Netbook or any old junk working PC w/ USB laying around in garage to use it as a simple automotive diagnostic viewer and reset MIL (engine check light). USB OBD II scanner works the same way as hand held OBD II Scanner. It includes software.

(This info copied and pasted from USB OBD II Scanner in Ebay, all are the same as different seller's listing that sells same thing.)

OBD II V1.3 USB AUTO Scanner Auto Code Reader

The program lets you perform the following operations:

Read diagnostic trouble codes, both generic and manufacturer-specific , and display their meaning (over 3000 generic code definitions in the database).

Clear trouble codes and turn off the MIL ("Check Engine" light)

Display current sensor data, including:
Engine RPM
Calculated Load Value
Coolant Temperature
Fuel System Status
Vehicle Speed
Short Term Fuel Trim
Long Term Fuel Trim
Intake Manifold Pressure
Timing Advance
Intake Air Temperature
Air Flow Rate
Absolute Throttle Position
Oxygen sensor voltages/associated short term fuel trims
Fuel System status
Fuel Pressure
Many others...

Multi-Protocol Support:
SAE J1850 PWM (41.6 kbaud)
SAE J1850 VPW (10.4 kbaud)
ISO 9141-2 (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud)
ISO 14230-4 KWP (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud)
ISO 14230-4 KWP (fast init, 10.4 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit ID, 500 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit ID, 500 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit ID, 250 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit ID, 250 kbaud)

Supported Software :
Scantool_net113win
EasyOBDII
OBD2Spy
ScanMaster-EL

It is compatible with MOST American automotive after January 1st 1996 including European and Japanese model that have OBD II and EOBD II.


On Ebay I could get it for $25 bucks w/ Free Sh/H. Knowing that I don't plan on using it often. I could help friend fix their car as well. I bet that my deafie friends would line up to borrow it They complained that OBD II Handheld scanner are expensive and don't use much and it's not worth blowing buck on that. They wish they can borrow someone else's OBD II Scanner but no one they knew owns it. So that'll be me. I don't care if they fried my OBD II scanner as long as they will be willing to pay for replacement.

Catty

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

Don't buy Code Reader scanner cuz they won't reveal Freeze Frame data. I never see any live data in Code Reader scanners. Catty, if you love to working on the OBDII vehicles every weekends, you need a good scanner
(laptop or handheld) that have live data, freeze frame data, CAN and Mode6, will help you to diagnose the MIL or no start or emission problem. I guess the price range for handheld scanner is around $200 to $5K or $8k. USB OBDII around up to $2K (not include PC laptop). My older scanner is Snap-On and outdated, still use it for any OBD-I and II and will not work with CAN vehicles. I use a shop's scanner to plug the CAN vehicles.
Code Reader scanner will not help you to pinpoint the problem.

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

Don't buy Code Reader scanner cuz they won't reveal Freeze Frame data. I never see any live data in Code Reader scanners. Catty, if you love to working on the OBDII vehicles every weekends, you need a good scanner
(laptop or handheld) that have live data, freeze frame data, CAN and Mode6, will help you to diagnose the MIL or no start or emission problem. I guess the price range for handheld scanner is around $200 to $5K or $8k. USB OBDII around up to $2K (not include PC laptop). My older scanner is Snap-On and outdated, still use it for any OBD-I and II and will not work with CAN vehicles. I use a shop's scanner to plug the CAN vehicles.
Code Reader scanner will not help you to pinpoint the problem.

Originally Posted by The Highlander

Odd, My father just bought the new OBDII for $90 for himself from Costco and It do have FF (freeze frame data)


But I still dont like it because there is no real-time data.

I am agreed with you that code reader scanner is useless.

Originally Posted by purplecatty

I'm not planning on testing vehicles every weekend I just want to narrow down the problem to fix it and shut up the MIL. That's basically it, nothing more. Both of my Chrystler vehicles of same year (Jeep and Dodge) uses OBD II. That's why I want a cheap one..

Catty

Originally Posted by Chevy57

Yes, I saw it last week when changing oil on my 2007 Honda SUV at Lube Shop. They used handheld scanner for checking. Man showed it to me that battery is not good and require to replace new battery. I don't un why original battery is short life.

Originally Posted by diehardbiker

Not every error code will cause MIL to illuminate.

For instance, one error code for gas level sensor, won't cause the MIL to illuminate, but would show up at Inspection.

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

Hey, I feel your Chrysler vehicles might have EVAP system problems. Wonder did you pull codes from the vehicles? Were they P0442? P0455? If so you need to track the cracked EVAP lines such as rubber hoses from gas tank to EVAP canister(s) to the front engine's EVAP purge valve solenoid. Look for sign of cracks or spitted on the end of the rubber hoses. I did fix these Chrysler vehicles every time I plug the OBDII connectors. Same as Jeeps or mini vans.
EVAP stand for evaporative.
Maybe of your vehicles have recalls like reprogram or flash PCM?
I have to go to work. Post you guys later

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

yep, happen to me last year that I diagnosed customer's 2002 Vette for errated fuel gauge and no MIL, then I grabbed my scan tool to plugged the ODBII jack, found code P0461 Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Range/Performance that stored in PCM. Yeah it will fail at the smog check station. New fuel pump assy that came with new fuel level sensor took a care of P0461.

Originally Posted by The Highlander

Odd, My father just bought the new OBDII for $90 for himself from Costco and It do have FF (freeze frame data)


But I still dont like it because there is no real-time data.

I am agreed with you that code reader scanner is useless.

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

I browsed the INNOVA scan tools in the internet, flirts the INNOVA scan tool #3140 CAN OBD-II and OBD-I, cost $460, cheap price. I believe the Model 3140 scan tool is better than my old SnapOn MT2500. I sure afford to buy it but I wait next year to see if they change or update scan tools. The high end scan tools (over $3K to $10K?), can do anything like ABS, HVAC, BCM everthing. Some of them have built-in scope. I never been flash or reprogram the PCMs cuz I don't own the high end scan tool.

Originally Posted by The Highlander

You should learn how to flash or reprogram the PCMs since you are tech.

I did two times and pretty easy than I thought but only from FACTORY OBD-II.

Originally Posted by Chevy57

Yes, I saw it last week when changing oil on my 2007 Honda SUV at Lube Shop. They used handheld scanner for checking. Man showed it to me that battery is not good and require to replace new battery. I don't un why original battery is short life.

Originally Posted by deafsmogtech

Honda TSB states, " Battery Cell Faulty or Deteriorated". That's what Purplecatty mentioned defective lead grids. I wonder Japanese bought Chinese
made batteries, they label the name of Yuswa or ???.
Same thing happen to the GM batteries (post sides), these batteries were Chinese made. Damn it.