what is the best code reader on the market for the money? what is the brand name? how mutch can i expect to spend? cheked one out today that used the engie service soon light flashing to give you codes. such as FLASH pause FLASH FLASH =12. are these any good? i was looking for somthing with an lcd screen that gave some more info. where can i get one.

 

paper clip

 

Ya, I was gonna ask if you meant what is the best one...besides a paperclip;>)

 

Best one is a paperclip, its much cheaper and accomplishes the same thing.

 

O.K.could someone fill me in? Where will I find the post for yousing a paper clip to troubleshoot codes? I'm kind of green here.

 

use a paper clip to jump the a and b terminals of the ALDL, and manual should have pics and an explaintion. if you want "the best" code reader, aka scanner, buy one from snap-on for around 3000 dollars.

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ICON Motorsports
1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

Actually, for the 3 grand you would spend on the Snap on scanner, you could buy a laptop (get a nice one for under 1500) Diacom software (around 500), and a cable, (make it your self for about 20 bucks)

This setup would give you MUCH more info than the snap on scanner, does more neat tricks, remembers more data, and would also let you play Need for Speed when you werent working on your car..........

 

o.k. MAYBE NOT THE BEST SCANNER HOW ABOUT AN AFFORDABLE ONE. sorry about the caps had it locked on. how much and where can i get one.

 

Heres how you use the paper-clip scanner,

http://www.racer-x.f2s.com/proc/codes.htm

its simple, cheap, and effective. Save your money for something else.

-Max

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86 Trans Am LB9/700R4
-Flowmaster 3inch exhaust, K&N, Ported Plenum, Redone Ignition system

 

Actually, if you went the "Diacom route", you can use any old DOS based notebook (an old 486 works just fine for under $100). You don't need the "plus" version of Diacom, they have a regular version for under $300. And with Diacom, you don't need the cable as a cable is included when you purchase it. You can easily get Diacom (regular version) for under $400, including the old notebook.

The nice thing about Diacom, is that you can capture the information, convert the GDF file to DBF and then import it into Excel to review all the readings and even graph it (if you want more information than the graphing tool within Diacom).

I wouldn't waste any money on a "code reader" beyond the "paper clip trick". Reading codes are often misleading as the REAL problem may be "mechanical" or another sensor and the code you are getting is because the ECM is trying to correct itself, causing a different sensor to go "off side".