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Can someone recommend a good code reader?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike92GT
  • Start date Start date May 24, 2006
M

Mike92GT

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May 24, 2006
#1
  • May 24, 2006
  • #1
The check engine light came on in my '94 Explorer, so I figured I would just buy a code reader and fix it myself. I'm thinking it will work on my Mustang since they're both OBDI. What's a good entry-level code reader that is easy to use and reasonably priced? I don't want the one that just has a blinking light to tell you the code... How about this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Equu...ewItemQQcategoryZ43989QQitemZ4642831916QQrdZ1
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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#2
  • May 24, 2006
  • #2
Looks like a winner to me.
 
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BOWTIEKILLR

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#3
  • May 24, 2006
  • #3
same one i have and it works awesome. mine was $40 at kragen, but i needed it asap. it even has a memory from the last time you pulled codes so you dont even have to write them down
 
M

Mike92GT

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#4
  • May 24, 2006
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Thanks guys, I'm gonna order it up
 

sunil6784

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#5
  • May 24, 2006
  • #5
Same one i have. I got it at walmart for 30 bucks.
 
D

Daggar

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#6
  • May 24, 2006
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Go get one at Wallmart. With the shipping costs in the ebay add, it'll be about the same price. Exact same unit.
 
D

Daggar

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  • May 24, 2006
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Jinx Suni. lol
 
M

Mike92GT

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#8
  • May 24, 2006
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Cool, thanks. I wasn't sure if Wal-Mart sold them. That will save some time
 

sunil6784

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#9
  • May 24, 2006
  • #9
Lol daggar. I beat you by a minute.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
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May 24, 2006
#10
  • May 24, 2006
  • #10
Mike92GT said:
I wasn't sure if Wal-Mart sold them.
Click to expand...
Not all of them do.
 
M

Mike92GT

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#11
  • May 24, 2006
  • #11
HISSIN50 said:
Not all of them do.
Click to expand...


I'll give them a try, I need to get some ammo anyway...lol
View attachment 467569
 
D

Daggar

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#12
  • May 24, 2006
  • #12
sunil6784 said:
Lol daggar. I beat you by a minute.
Click to expand...

Bah... prolly a few seconds as the minute flipped over to the next.
 

93GTosu

Member
May 5, 2005
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May 24, 2006
#13
  • May 24, 2006
  • #13
Mike92GT said:
I'll give them a try, I need to get some ammo anyway...lol
Click to expand...


 

dragnazz5.0

My "0" key d0esn't w0rk, s0 I have t0 use the zer0
Nov 19, 2005
815
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mooresville, nc
May 24, 2006
#14
  • May 24, 2006
  • #14
there was a scan tool on ebay a week ago that was an actual obd 1 scan tool that would give real time readouts and stuff. it sold for like 100 bucks
 

jrichker

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#15
  • May 25, 2006
  • #15
dragnazz5.0 said:
there was a scan tool on ebay a week ago that was an actual obd 1 scan tool that would give real time readouts and stuff. it sold for like 100 bucks
Click to expand...
The Mustang version of OBDI does not do real time read data. You need a Tweccer RT for that.
 

dragnazz5.0

My "0" key d0esn't w0rk, s0 I have t0 use the zer0
Nov 19, 2005
815
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May 25, 2006
#16
  • May 25, 2006
  • #16
oh, maybe i was mistaken. it looked like it would have
 

jrichker

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#17
  • May 25, 2006
  • #17
dragnazz5.0 said:
oh, maybe i was mistaken. it looked like it would have
Click to expand...
I have an Auto Xray 2000 which does ODBII and does read real time data when in OBDII mode. They have an OBDI cable & software add on for Fords. I called and asked about the real time data for Ford OBDI. The tech guy said that Ford's OBDI didn't do real time data.

If you thinks about it, all you ever get off the data connector is a very simple stream of pulses you can read with a test lamp. To read real time data, you would need a way to identify the type of data, what sensor it was coming from and what the values are. That type of intelligence just isn't built into a simple pulse the wire interface that you read with a test lamp. To make it work, you would need a more complex protocol to package the data.
 
8

89 Saleen#455

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May 25, 2006
#18
  • May 25, 2006
  • #18
I have the Actron CP9135 which I picked up at Sears for $99.00 Amazon has them for $83.00 I think it's one of best scanners on the market for the money.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009RAX7/002-4681076-6086400?v=glance&n=15684181

Sorry - I just realized you're looing for an OBDI scanner. The Actron CP9135 is OBDII
 
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