Re-phrase "I need help" - Corvette Forum : DigitalCorvettes.com Corvette Forums

drbluevert · 12-21-2012, 09:14 PM

I must not have come across with the correct meaning. I'm looking for recommendations on which is a really good brand or model OBDII reader. There are dozens upon dozens of these things and if I'm to spend big bucks I want to hear about which ones to stay away from and which to buy. I cannot find a comparison chart or some sort of "consumer report" on these readers/what-ever anywhere on the Internet.

Fly03Z06 · 12-21-2012, 09:57 PM

But on a C5 Corvette you have the DIC which gives you all the active codes and history info for you. No need for a OBDII

Perhaps the General Auto section would have better results from the C4 or C6 guys that do not have the C5's capability.

Junkman2008 · 12-22-2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly03Z06

But on a C5 Corvette you have the DIC which gives you all the active codes and history info for you. No need for a OBDII

Perhaps the General Auto section would have better results from the C4 or C6 guys that do not have the C5's capability.

That's not the only thing that a scanner will do. As a matter of fact, that is a very tiny part of what a scanner will do. I think that what he is looking for is a scanner as a tool for doing diagnostic work on his car. For that, he will definitely need a scanner.

OP, for this there is only one scanner you want to buy. A GM Tech II. You want to be extra careful that you don't buy some crap out of Hong Kong or China. KNOW who you are buying from. The GM Tech II is the ONLY scanner that will do all of the trouble-shooting steps in a flow chart from a GM service manual. Other scanners may come close, but none of them will be as capable on a GM vehicle as the Tech II. Here's a short video showing just a fraction of the type of stuff that you can do with a Tech II.

You Tube

This is definitely the only scanner you want for you GM vehicle.

drbluevert · 12-22-2012, 01:40 PM

Thanks JM, That's the exact answer I've been waiting for. Is this only for GM and how much? I'll start searching meanwhile.

Junkman2008 · 12-22-2012, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbluevert

Thanks JM, That's the exact answer I've been waiting for. Is this only for GM and how much? I'll start searching meanwhile.

That scanner is specifically made for GM cars. I'm not sure but I think that you can add modules to it so that it can be made to work on other make cars. That is, however, expensive to do. The module itself is expensive enough so you want to make sure that you are going dedicate yourself to learning how to use it. It is a very powerful tool.

As for cost, it depends on where you buy it. When you Google the tool, you'll find it cheap on a few websites. These are usually Hong Kong or Chinese based company. You DO NOT want to buy it from them. I think the price is going to range from $4000-$5000 smackers. Not a cheap tool by any stretch.

iburke · 12-22-2012, 02:08 PM

I am seeing a lot of OBDII readers in the Pawn shops lately. I have found them to be a great place to shop since I retired. Just like a department store.

And don't pay the marked price make an offer and if they take it you paid to much...

Junkman2008 · 12-22-2012, 02:15 PM

The problem I'm having is being able to tell the code reader only units from the actual diagnostic scanners.

RealmSteel · 12-23-2012, 05:35 PM

I think whatever you buy will depend on the your level of automotive systems and/or what you want to get yourself into.

I've been working on cars and building engines for over 30 years and was lucky enough to have a mentor/friend that owns an automotive machine and repair shop.
For me, a regular old OBDII scanner from HF does what I need.

My plans include either getting HPtuners or EFI live if I run across something I can't figure out and need some sort of data logging or if I plan to do some tuning.

I've found most of the problems cars have are pretty well documented on the internet along with the solutions. Disemenating the real solutions from the hack fixes is the hard part.

The GM TechII Junkman mentioned is great, but at $4-5K

is more than I would care to spend. If those numbers don't phase you, it's probably your best bet.

Junkman2008 · 12-23-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealmSteel

... I've found most of the problems cars have are pretty well documented on the internet along with the solutions. Disseminating the real solutions from the hack fixes is the hard part.

This is very true. The same failures seem to always happen to the same year, make and model of vehicle. It's when you buy something that was poorly maintained or modified that you get those 'lost in space' type issues.

C5sarge · 12-24-2012, 04:56 AM

I've got an Actron that does both 1 and 2. Great tool that has done a world of good for me. Covers all makes and models in the kit form. Won't cost you an arm and a leg. JMHO.

drbluevert · 12-24-2012, 05:29 PM

As an example, I have several different GM models with different motors A few other makes too). Now and then I experience problems in the way these cars and trucks are running and I need to eliminate the guess work. I'm hoping that a reader/analyzer will at least get me on the right path so I can test one or two things rather than a list of things. Right now I have a van with a 5.3 ltr. that shutters when accelerating through 40 to 55 mph (sometimes 35 to 50) and backing off doesn't help. I'm guessing it's a dirty fuel injection problem another said it's a crank sensor - If there is a code, I'd like to see what it is and be pointed in the right direction for the fix. I'm not a repair shop or working as a mechanic so spending $4k is just out of the question, I don't want to spend over $800 unless it's a crystal ball.

drbluevert · 12-24-2012, 05:59 PM

Maybe this could be enough? It's a good price point.
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...10188481-P_x_x

Junkman2008 · 12-24-2012, 06:28 PM

There's also Tech II Win, the Windows based scan tool where you provide a laptop and you buy the software and OBDI cable. That's a cheaper way to go.

drbluevert · 01-07-2013, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman2008

There's also Tech II Win, the Windows based scan tool where you provide a laptop and you buy the software and OBDI cable. That's a cheaper way to go.

I cannot find the Tech II Win. I see listings for Tech II but not Win. version. Do you know the price?

Junkman2008 · 01-08-2013, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drbluevert

I cannot find the Tech II Win. I see listings for Tech II but not Win. version. Do you know the price?

I keep calling it by the wrong name technically, but here's the software. Technically, it's called GM MDI. I'm not exactly sure on the cost but it looks to be less than a grand.