Anyone have any good opinions on code readers. I know a paper clip is all I need, but today when I pulled codes there were so many it got real confusing, real quick. I guess AutoZone sells a Ford specific one for $30 and Snap On sells one that is 3 grand, but that's just silly. I'd like one that could read codes on my Mazdas, Fords and Toyotas, but that may be asking too much. I think it would need a digital display, otherwise I'm just as well off counting flashes.
Code Readers
- Thread starter Philthy
- Start date
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Shoaz
Studly dood
Just get a generic OBD-I reader. It'll just spit out the codes, regardless of what type of car. I do see them for ~$30 or so at Vatozone or similar places, e.g., Pep Boys, whatever. Shop around, there are good deals and generic readers with memory and display will read any OBD-I car regardless of manufacturer.
Off Road SHO
Moderator
I have an OBD-1 you can use at my place. It has cords for most brands.
Tom
Tom
I had a look when getting a obd2 reader. General differences I found was more whether it had on board code explanations, etc. I found that I would always want to check the internet/boards about the reasons for the codes, so checking what P1120 would be wouldn't take much longer.
Just get one that fits your car and large enough display to make sense.
Just get one that fits your car and large enough display to make sense.
Shoaz
Studly dood
Yeah, mine is generic and had a book that came with it with the codes for various manufacturers. You can read the codes out of memory, cycle through them as fast as you want, and then just look them up in the book. For no more often than I have to pull codes it's not too hard. I've noticed the same as Rav; you pay more to have the codes display in plain English, but for geeks like us it's usually not a problem to just look 'em up in the book.
