Code Reader Recommendations

[J persons]

Wife got a check engine light when she went to restart the car after a short drive. She said the car wouldn't start but I told her to try it again and it started and the 'check engine' light was off. I'm looking for a code reader that won't break the bank so I can determine if something is wrong. I'm trying to avoid the dealer and their inflated prices for just reading codes. Thanks in advance, John

 

[FREAK_SHO]

Autozone or O'Reilly's will read the codes for you.

 

[Majestic]

$20 on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/MOTOPOWER-MP69033-Universal-Diagnostic-Protocol/dp/B07Z3HB7DR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1O7Y2PUXTWEMU&keywords=obd2%2Bscanner&qid=1676596067&sprefix=obd%2Caps%2C334&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVjlMQjZJTlU4WFFLJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTgzMzUxMzZBVEIxRDFTTVlFSCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjYxNzgwMjRQMjBDVEtZNFRFMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

 

[Ta2dResqr]

OBDLink MX+ for Bluetooth and simple things like code reading or data logging. OBDLink EX for anything like ForScan or programming.

 

[SHOdded]

the only caveat i have seen is sometimes these cars don't like the obd readers left plugged in and will flash all kinds of lights on startup. nothing to worry about, just an awareness thing.

to date, i have been using the mx/mx+ on our 2007 edge/2010 fusion sport since 2015 and never experienced this issue. but gen 4/5 sho owners have. more common with generic elm devices.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

the only caveat i have seen is sometimes these cars don't like the obd readers left plugged in and will flash all kinds of lights on startup. nothing to worry about, just an awareness thing.

to date, i have been using the mx/mx+ on our 2007 edge/2010 fusion sport since 2015 and never experienced this issue. but gen 4/5 sho owners have. more common with generic elm devices.

I leave my MX+ plugged in all the time on my 2015 SHO with no issues. Another plus for the MX+!

 

[J persons]

Is there an app in the app store for the OBDLink MX?

 

[Ta2dResqr]

Is there an app in the app store for the OBDLink MX?

Yes, it is called OBDLink.

 

[SHOrod]

If you're an Android user, Torque is another great app that will work with the bluetooth OBDII dongles like the MX and MX+. Even the free version is quite impressive, but I feel it's well worth the paid version (mostly because of the work that went into the app and the very inexpensive, one time fee).

-Rod