The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Scanner recommendations

I’m finally giving in and am looking for a good plugin scanner or diagnostic code reader for my suburban. Anyone have any recommendations?

I have a scan tool program that runs on a laptop. It's called AutoEnginuity. It's generic but with optional add-on modules for specific manufacturers. It does everything that the dealers high dollar scan tools do on my F250 Diesel, but for way less money. IIRC, I paid $360 for it. There are other options out there that may be even less money (as in free.) But I don't know much about GM specific scan tools.

AutoEnginuity Link

Are you looking just to read and erase codes? Freeze data? Reprogram body control modules and things like that?

I picked up a nice $50 OTC reader at Oreilly's a few years back, just to keep in my daily driver. Will read upstream and downstream O2 levels and cylinder misfire counts, amongst other things. Nice little basic reader.

I’m just looking for something to diagnose engine issues. I’m not even close to being able to program anything.

So I guess I’m asking what is a good cheap option

Too bad you don't have a Ferd. You can download ForScan for free, and buy an ELM327 OBD bluetooth adapter for under $20. I don't know if there's an equivalent GM scan tool, but I wouldn't be surprised.

Check this out. But most of the cheapies only support true OBD2 vehicles, and some modern vehicles (like my 7.3L) require extended diagnostics beyond OBD2.

I looked at Autozone, O'reilly and Rockauto. All three have a less than $40 OBDII scanner that can get you started. All of them will read most codes on any vehicle.

If you are still working with OBDI, that might be a little harder to find. Even back when that was "State of the art", they were very clunky. I just broke out my old unit for an '89 Fox Body that was given to me. And, even though I was staring at a CEL, the scanner showed I had no codes. Go figure! Before I attempted the manual method of getting codes, the CEL turned off and went away. Guess I'll have to put a few miles on it to see if the light returns.

OK, I am now acronym overloaded. What is OBDI and OBDII? The ELM327 sounds like a hardwood body car with a four barrel. I am now lost as a fox in a forest fire

On Board Diagnostic

Roman numerals after designate what generation system a car has.

OBDI is pre 1996 domestic cars and trucks OBDII is 1996 and newer and then the newest cars and trucks I believe take another scanner.

Thanks got it

What year is your suburban? If newer than 1996, it'll take an OBD2 scan tool. If it's way newer it may have some features that a cheap OBD2 scan tool may not pick up.

I bought an Innova OBD2 reader some years ago. Not the cheapest, but not the most expensive. It's been good for reading basic stuff and resetting the codes.

But, I'm not happy with it. It can't read all codes. Innova has a website where you can download software updates and manufacturer extensions, but the cost is prohibitive.

When a error appeared on out Toyota, the reader did not recognise the code as it had to do with the seat belt system - a Toyota exclusive code. Never did figure out what was wrong.

When an error appeared on our Acura, again, the reader did not recognise the code. The dealer charged me $150 to tell me that a solenoid was acting up in the rear axle. It was a known problem with Acura and Honda AWD models. I found detailed instructions on the 'net on how to replace the solenoid.

Agreed. The pocket readers seem to have a lot of difficulty with modern foreign vehicles, ABS systems and stuff like that. But they still seem to work well for erasing codes and reading Ford/GM/domestic stuff. Sometimes, that is the start of your diagnostic process. Log the code, erase it, and see if it comes back. On late model stuff, that won't upset the computer. Especially if you have to deal with emissions stuff like out here in California.

I have both a laptop with wired plug to port for doing the heavy lifting and major diagnostics.

I also have the wireless plugin adapters that work with phone apps. I leave them in the glove boxes or center consoles.

This is a whole lot better than pulling the laptop out just to check a code. Also when rolling down the road and my big scanner is at the shop does me no good.

I have 3 apps mainly because some work better than others on different brands. But the adapter works on all my current cars.

I have one of the adapters in my daughters car so I can just have her plug it in and walk her thru which app to use. She sends me the screen shot and I can remotely trouble shoot.

I search thru all the forums to find out which ones seem to have the least issues. (jeep forums, gm, kia, this one a few other older truck sites etc).

There are lots of them on amazon at all different price points. Once I have the one that works well with the right car it just stays with it.

I took my suburban in and it appears the rough running was due to the lack of compression in number 1 cylinder. We had just got done buying a used Tahoe so it looks like it is going up for get rid of it sale. I hadn't decided on a scanner yet either.

Thanks for all the education on scanners, going back to my old engines and old diagnostic tools.

It's surprising what old school diagnostic equipment like compression testers, vacuum gauges, and volt/ohm meters can tell you about a modern vehicle. Computers are nice, but the stone age basic functions still have to be there, and in good working order, before brain surgery can take over.
Jerry

I like my modern vehicles but am continuously impressed with the simplicity and yes efficiency of the old stuff. That includes the tools. Using old tools on old engines is great fun as challenging as it is sometimes.

Part of my "retirement package" was the Tech 2 scan tool that I protected for years. It's obsolete in the dealership, can't update but it works on all my "modern" GM rigs, 1999 Tahoe, 2000 (old body GM400 platform) K2500 std cab manual transmission & transfer case, 2005 Bonneville, a 2003 & 2007 Grand Prix.

My tech2 and local copy of techline are some of my most treasured mechanicing tools.

The best scanner that I would recommend is this laptop. My buddy recommended it to me since he uses it at his shop and swears by it. Got it 2 years ago and it still works perfectly. I had an Autel scanner beforehand and one from Diesel Laptops and both of them broke after a few months. I only had an issue with the scanner once and the company fixed it within the hour. No complaints other than that and works amazing.

I have a Foxwell NT301. With every use it makes my head hurt. As far as I’m concerned, the instructions are terrible. Granted, I’ve only used it a few times, so maybe it’s just me. Regardless, I’ve concluded that life is too short to force myself to use something I will most likely never get used to so I just ordered a different scanner.

This time I’m getting a BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro for 79.95 through Amazon. It’s supposed to work with my IPad and IPhone so hopefully it’s more user friendly for me. I should have it by this weekend and will post my opinion after I get a chance to try it out.

Wish me luck

John

I’m very impressed with the BlueDriver Bluetooth Pro. It was simple to pair with my IPad and very easy to use. I tried it on both my 2003 GMC and 2002 Silverado. Not only will it scan the engine/power-train, but will also do a complete vehicle scan. It told me my GMC has issues with the radio, which I already knew and the Silverado has multiple problems including a non-functioning 3rd brake light that I disabled years ago when I installed a topper.The results are saved to my IPad so I can review them later.

It retrieved the VIN on my Silverado and listed factory specs, recalls, service bulletins etc. With my GMC it did the same except I had to enter the VIN manually due to anti-theft protection from the factory.

Viewing everything on the IPad was an added bonus. For those that have an Apple or Android tablet or phone, I highly recommend it.

John