The best Code Readers & Scan Tools: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Just so you know there are much cheaper alternatives to the Bluedriver. I personally use this one and it provides all the same stuff the Bluedriver provides for 1/5 the cost so you only have to work an hour and a half.

Not that you'd have the time to fix it yourself(or even be allowed to) but if you're curious you can get an ELM 327 ODB Bluetooth code reader for like $20.

This is the one I got. It's a true ELM 327 reader and not some Chinese reverse engineered hacked together crap. I keep it plugged into my ODB reader all the time.

The reason these are so cheap compared to a professional shop reader is because the reader is just an interface and knows how to talk to the computer. It just "translates" and passes stuff along to your phone/tablet which does the real heavy lifting. Torque Pro or Forscan(for Ford/Mazda) apps on your phone. You'd at least be able to see "oh shit, low oil pressure" or "shit water temps are through the roof, that's why it wont go above 95" so I'm about to be sitting on the side of the road for an hour. Or if it's just like some random dead O2 sensor or an occasional misfire on a cylinder or some vacuum leak that's making it run weird. You'd at least have some peace of mind.

I am definetely not computer literate so I don't know but I just bought this from Amazon. It reads everything from the OBDII port such as revs, codes, speed, mpg etc etc.

Wouldn't you be able to use something like this to get all the data from it?

Panlong Bluetooth OBD2 Car... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PJPHEBO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I'm just a tinker too, but if he doesn't have a scan tool to reader error codes, look at the new Bluetooth sets. Plug in to the OBD2 port and download the app to you phone. Get all the codes and internet research in one, plus see engine manager info on some models.

They're not expense and are available on Amazon. This is similar the one I have. and there are a lot of options out there.

On a related note, for anyone looking to do this with a car you can buy cheap bluetooth OBD2 modules on Amazon for about $25.

On Android most people use the app Torque.

I use the $5 paid version of torque, I don't remember what the limitations are for the free version of it but it's money well spent because you can view a lot of diag data, check engine codes etc.

There are a couple times where I connected it to peoples cars, texted them the CEL codes, and cleared the light for them when its something simple. It was money well spent.

How about a diagnostic reader? Something like this. Basically if your car has the engine (or another) light on you can plug that in and your phone will tell you what the problem is. You'll need an app like Torque for it to work.

A dashcam is another gift that is something anyone could benefit from, but not everyone would necessarily think to buy for themselves. Over on /r/dashcam they have some really good guides on what to get. Expect to spend about $100, though. It seems like this one is the best bang for your buck according to their guide.

Oh, I completely understand passing on that car. Sounds like nothing was maintained.

Still, get one, they are very very useful, and cheap. Only $13 for an Android BT reader on Amazon - $18 if you need iOS. If you have Android, download Torque ($5 for paid version, but even free is very good.)

That under $25 set will have more features than the $200-$400+ readers still sold in autostores... and are more up to date, and can easily interface with the web for more code information.

plug in an OBD2 scan tool and check for codes..

or turn the key to the run position.. if you have a digital odometer instead of a mechanical odometer. you can turn the key to the run position.. then quickly off, on, off on, off on.. 3 times in the run position within 4 seconds get chrysler digital speedometers to change to code displays..

if you don't have a digital odometer. count the flashing check engine light ..

if you have an android cell phone or tablet.. you can get this OBD2 dongle from BAFX in bluetooth.. if you use an Apple phone. then you need the slightly more expensive wifi version.. https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Wireless-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B005NLQAHS

you will need a phone app to work with that but there are dozens of free ones.. including torque light..

you can also get a code scanner from autozones. plug it in. turn the key on.. follow instructions on it.. return it to the parts counter.. they will access it and print out your codes.. with a warning.. they do sell autoparts there and the advice printed may sell you parts that may or may not be bad.. so it would be on to a proper diagnosis of that circuit/device.. just because you find a P0420.. does not always mean the cats need to be changed.. you could have any number of issues.. the neat thing about 1996 and newer models.. you can actually see live data stream from the computer thru the dongle or a decent scan tool live on the screen you can also graph some of the data streams..

what does all that mean.. start with codes.. post the codes ..its easier with OBD2 than it was with OBD1 on some brands..

but the first step.. verify the electrical connections using the voltage drop test i posted please.. don't skip that test..

An actual mechanic would probably have some super fancy diagnostic tool, but you can buy a personal OBDII that bluetooths to your phone really well for like $20 on Amazon

If you got a "Check engine" light on, and you want to know what it means but dont want to drop it off at a pricey mechanic just for a diagnosis and potentially expensive repair, head over to amazon and pick up one of these blue tooth OBD2 scanners. That ones for android(I have it, works great), this one works for iphone and android.

That plus a typically free app like "Torque" let you find out the error codes your car is throwing out(and all other kind of basic diagnostic stuff), so you can google it and see if its something you need to fix right away, could easily fix yourself(with youtube), or if its just a minor problem you dont need to worry about yet.

And if you do take it to the shop, you can probably save them some time(and thus money for yourself), and being more informed, keep yourself from being taken for a ride.

If your car is 1996 or newer it should have a port for these(typically under the steering wheel above the pedals), save yourself some anxiety about that new warning light that just showed up.

On Amazon they have bluetooth scanners for Android. Runs about 25 bucks. Best thing ever, plus you can possibly pill real time info depending on your car, an added plus to trouble shooting. This is the one I bought. There are some cheaper now though! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_OfK5wbCAZE7MG

I bought a Bluetooth OBDII scanner from Amazon for under $25 and downloaded the Torque Pro app for my Android phone and tablet.

Under. $30 and I haven't found anything that it lacks.

It could be a BlueTooth OBD-II scanner. I just bought one from Amazon so I can wirelessly scan for codes from the maker's smartphone app. Works great. No need to carry around a bulky handheld device.

https://www.amazon.com/BlueDriver-Bluetooth-Professional-iPhone-Android/dp/B00652G4TS

http://www.lemurmonitors.com/

Veepeak on Amazon! About $15, supports the 5 OBD Protocols and works with any app on the app store.

Here's the product: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WPW6BAE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use OBD Fusion for the app, it's free but you can pay $5 for Manufacturer specific diagnostic codes and troubleshooting to make it more in-line with your car. I drive a 2005 Mercury so I purchased the 2005 Ford add-on. Great app and I highly suggest it. It's also one of the highest rated OBDII Readers on Amazon.

There's a smaller sized blue OBD2 plug in on Amazon it goes along the lines of "panlong" or something, it's only like $10-15, works fine in my Lexus and Mercedes, it's able to clear errors and stuff, real-time info works well. And it's really low profile unlike those other adapters so if it sticks straight into the foot well it won't bother you

Edit: it's $11

Works fantastic with torque pro https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PJPHEBO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_o..cBbK4QXZ3R

This one from Amazon worked for me. Best apps that I have found are FORScan (Very similar to software that ford themselves use) and torque pro with the custom PID's found here. Enjoy!

https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/Ford%20DID.csv?token=AWwJycu339XD760SFQISh62iWKazPoPHBWO2wHIdofSqn0L7hmM9AU3vY0oX2ZSZ-n7UlTW0955kE5zmuL8KTfDgANBxZ5vfPFRyCVAGpaZPIxSR3zxjAWWfzmOCXhHm9WnkrpFlOjJAywVos1pxc4MW

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-34t5-Bluetooth-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00

A good note for the future, Amazon sells code readers which can diagnose & clear the light for around $40: Autel AutoLink AL319 OBD2 Scanner Automotive Engine Fault Code Reader CAN Scan Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XE8C74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_6S255PSJ88MEYK66XJPW

Anything Gen 2 or later that is in good condition and with the right milage will probably be fine. We currently have a 2006 and a 2010 in our driveway. With used car prices being what they are at the moment, they both currently blue book at about twice what we paid for them despite the milage we've added. One about two years ago and the other about a year ago. So, prices are high at the moment.

Shop around and check out the car carefully. You can get the Dr. Prius app and a compatible OBD2 reader to check the traction battery health of cars you're considering.

I would strongly recommend reading the code. If you can get to an auto parts place, like Autozone, they will read the code(s) for free. Plenty of places sell readers for $20, and you can even order a Bluetooth OBDII reader that works will a smart phone for $13 (here is the one I have currently: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PJPHEBO -- I also recommend Torque Pro on Android, for an extra $5, but I think the free Torque Lite app works for reading codes as well).

Knowing the code will help troubleshooting, where saying the check engine and VSA lights are on just means that there is some sort of a problem. Might be something major, or might be something fairly simple to fix, but hard to know without the code (or more details on what was happening before/when the lights came on, what the car did right when the lights came on, how soon after a "hard reset" the lights come back on, etc, and even all that will still potentially be less useful than knowing the diag code).

I'd highly suggest getting this OBD2 tool, it's $20 and works with many apps on phones using bluetooth: https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Wireless-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B005NLQAHS

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I use that with the Torque app on Android (I paid for the PRO version but they have a free version too). That should give you codes and also let's you set custom displays for all the sensors in your vehicle. You can see which cyls are misfiring in real time, how many misfires they've had since engine startup, what your air intake temp/pressure is, all the CEL codes, pretty much if it has a sensor in your vehicle it reads it.

For $20, plus the few bucks for the PRO verision for my android phone, this app has been a saving grace for me.

What makes that one better than mine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011NSX27A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_MQDWND9KYE6RB4M4Y0CR ?

For $13 and a free app (dr prius) I was able to kill that gawd dang reverse beep! I asked two dealerships about doing it, the first said that "toyota" had told them they aren't allowed to do it because it could open them up to liability. And the other had no problem doing it, for $75!

Professional tech here. I love this one. Use the Torque app on the appstore. Costs about 5 bucks and the scanner is 12. Had mine for 2 years and it still works great.

I got the BAFX reader from Amazon. It works pretty well, I also use torque pro app. I wish it was shorter though. When it's plugged in it's really easy to hit with my right foot.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_KNK8KCDJWC5MRXV3EJ46?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The car will have a warning light if it's overheating, but if you want to monitor the temps, just buy an OBD2 scanner. I got one off Amazon, it's super handy to have around.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_1YDQ4NH7NBRMH53711EZ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I have one of these Bluetooth OBDII adapters and use it with the Torque app.

This setup gives me a variety of real-time information like temp and boost.

I purchased a BAFX one from Amazon that has worked reliably for me. $22 currently, though this one is Android only. Don't know if that's a problem for you.

You cannot make the screen permanent without an OBD II reader, but you can access the splash screen by going into the testing settings of Sync 3 (hold down track forward & eject), bypass the speaker test screen, then press Testing Settings, then change the theme to Ford-ST. When you power down your car it'll show, but upon startup it'll go back to the default Ford-timeless theme.

As far as I know the only way to make the change permanent is to change the hex value in Forscan. I was able to change it with this OBD II reader from Amazon. With that being said, the version of Sync 3 v2.2 going around the internet is not the official release so the one that is finally released to the public may have the ST logo enabled by default.

BAFX Products 34t5 Bluetooth OBDII Scan Tool for Android Devices

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_vqnSybHD6E0NW

Here is an Amazon link to one, they are about $20 for the unit and the app I use (the full version is worth it) is $4.99. It's a fully customizable app with tons of data readouts. You can learn a lot about your car this way without breaking the bank.

That's what I assumed unfortunately.

I got a $20 scanner on Amazon, and it can check inspection monitors. It's a simple tool, but it will go through the list of monitors (evap, cat, etc.) and tell me if it is ready or not.

I guess I will just have to hope for the best if I don't see any CELs. Thanks for the answer!

And this is why I fucking HATE amazon canada:

$22 USD, doesn't ship to Canada (op's link above). Change .com to .ca, you get this fucking monstrosity:

https://www.amazon.ca/BAFX-Products-34t5-Bluetooth-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514922821&sr=8-2&keywords=BAFX+Products+34t5

$77 CAD!!!! Yes, it's being sold by a different seller, because BAFX doesn't have an account (I guess?) on Amazon.ca, but JFC Amazon, way to bend over your canadian customers.