Subject: [Shop-talk] Inexpensive OBD-II Scanner

From: Jeff Scarbrough <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 3 Feb 2024 12:08:17 -0500

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I have a 2012 Ford F-150 that throws a code.  It's been to the dealer and
repaired, then it threw the code again 5 months 3000 miles later.  The
dealer had it for a week and reset it and couldn't find a fault.  Now,
another 1500 miles and it's come back.

N.B. Changing the battery also threw a code (the light went off after
driving for a while, but it still shows on the scanner).

I have a few suggestions to try and fix it, but I'm looking for something
to read and reset the codes with.  I can get my FLAPS to read it, but they
are reluctant to reset it sometimes.  I see readers on Amazon for $15 and
up, but I'm willing to pay for a quality tool as long as it isn't stupid
expensive.

Any suggestions?

Jeff the S
Corrosion Acres, Ga.

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<div dir=3D"ltr">I have a 2012 Ford F-150 that throws a code.=C2=A0 It&#39;=
s been to the dealer and repaired, then it threw the code again 5 months 30=
00 miles later.=C2=A0 The dealer had it for a week and reset it and couldn&=
#39;t find a fault.=C2=A0 Now, another 1500 miles and it&#39;s come back.<b=
r><br>N.B. Changing the battery also threw a code (the light went off after=
 driving for a while, but it still shows on the scanner).<br><div><br></div=
><div>I have a few suggestions to try and fix it, but I&#39;m looking for s=
omething to read and reset the codes with.=C2=A0 I can get my FLAPS to read=
 it, but they are reluctant to reset it sometimes.=C2=A0 I see readers on A=
mazon for $15 and up, but I&#39;m willing to pay for a quality tool as long=
 as it isn&#39;t stupid expensive.<br><br>Any suggestions?</div><div><br></=
div><div>Jeff the S</div><div>Corrosion Acres, Ga.</div></div>

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_______________________________________________

[email-masked]
Archive: http://www.team.net/pipermail/shop-talk http://autox.team.net/archive

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From: David Scheidt <[email-masked]>
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2024 10:28:57 -0600

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> On Feb 3, 2024, at 17:57, Moose <[email-masked]> wrote:
>=20
> =EF=BB=BFNot to hi-jack a thread, but I was wondering if anyone had any su=
ggestions for an excellent scanner up to $500?
>=20
> I have a few of the model specific ones, but I was wondering if there is s=
omething much better.

There are a bunch of pretty nice scanners in that range, from launch, thinkt=
ools, and topdon. (And no doubt others. )  it=E2=80=99s very hard to keep tr=
ack of what is what, because the models change all the time, and what the be=
st deal is varies. I=E2=80=99ve used scanners from the three companies menti=
oned, they all did the things I wanted.  I own a topdon (I don=E2=80=99t kno=
w the exact model, I could figure it out, but I am sure it is discontinued.)=
 because it was on sale when I bought one.  Watch out for the length of supp=
ort and updates included, you will see the same tool with different included=
 support options, at different prices.=20

Figure out what you need, and for what makes, and shop based on that.  Bidir=
ectional tests are pretty much table stakes for most real diagnostic testing=
, and depending on what you work on, module programming may be required. Or n=
ot.  =20

Also: this is not a buy for life tool. Whatever you buy will be obsolete in a=
 couple years. =20

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<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3D=
utf-8"></head><body dir=3D"auto"><div dir=3D"ltr"></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br=
></div><div dir=3D"ltr"><br><blockquote type=3D"cite">On Feb 3, 2024, at 17:=
57, Moose &lt;[email-masked]&gt; wrote:<br><br></blockquote></div><blockq=
uote type=3D"cite"><div dir=3D"ltr">=EF=BB=BF<font size=3D"2" face=3D"sans-s=
erif">Not to hi-jack a thread, but I was wondering
if anyone had any suggestions for an excellent scanner up to $500?</font>
<br>
<br><font size=3D"2" face=3D"sans-serif">I have a few of the model specific o=
nes,
but I was wondering if there is something much better.</font>
<br></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>There are a bunch of pretty nice s=
canners in that range, from launch, thinktools, and topdon. (And no doubt ot=
hers. ) &nbsp;it=E2=80=99s very hard to keep track of what is what, because t=
he models change all the time, and what the best deal is varies. I=E2=80=99v=
e used scanners from the three companies mentioned, they all did the things I=
 wanted. &nbsp;I own a topdon (I don=E2=80=99t know the exact model, I could=
 figure it out, but I am sure it is discontinued.) because it was on sale wh=
en I bought one. &nbsp;Watch out for the length of support and updates inclu=
ded, you will see the same tool with different included support options, at d=
ifferent prices.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Figure out what you need, an=
d for what makes, and shop based on that. &nbsp;Bidirectional tests are pret=
ty much table stakes for most real diagnostic testing, and depending on what=
 you work on, module programming may be required. Or not. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>=
<div><br></div><div>Also: this is not a buy for life tool. Whatever you buy w=
ill be obsolete in a couple years. &nbsp;</div><div><br></div></body></html>=

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[email-masked]

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