Cheapest CAN OBDII scanner on the net that reads DTCs, pending codes, & clears codes

Originally Posted by filon102

Bought this one for 65 w/ shipping... will report back with results

How is it working out for you?

BTW, here's another pic of the OBDII connector, for newbies, from QSilver7:

Today, someone asked what Carsoft can do (over here in the OBDII freeware thread) so I pointed him to the VERY best of E39 Links but the Carsoft threads weren't easy to find in the VERY best of E39 Links ...

So I just now added the following to help others (as always):

- Description of Carsoft, GT1, INPA, DIS, EDIABAS, & Peake (1) & which can modify the auto-lock car door feature (1) & what does Carsoft do anyway (1) (2) (3) (4)

Just picked up the Equus 3030 Innova for $45 on Amazon... happy with it so far, it reads the standard OBDII codes as well as the BMW-specific codes on my 2001 E39.

For the record, we've organized the most often recommended freely available software for diagnosing the E39 over here:
- The most often recommended BMW diagnostic tools & cable interfaces (1)

For the record, now that decent diagnostic trouble code scanners are in the twenty-dollar range, more and more of us are keeping a spare in the glovebox, especially in the states where free code scanning is illegal:
- E39 (1997 - 2003) > Code Reader?

Originally Posted by cn90

I just bought Autel MaxiScan MS300 from Amazon for $22. This is great as a glovebox item for long trips far away from home.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by QSilver7

Ditto...I carry one in my "daily driver", too. For 20+ bucks it's cheap insurance to have on hand as you stated. And if you live in one of the few states that don't allow places like AutoZone to do free OBD II scanning...it's very much worth the 20 bucks to be able to quickly check your codes if you get a CEL/SES...and not have to take the car to a certified mechanic to scan your vehicle.

There is also an android app called Torque. Combined with a Bluetooth OBD II scanner, it turns your phone into a very effective scan/diagnostics tool. It not only reads codes, but will provide info such as oxygen sensor voltages, fuel trim, throttle input (%), etc.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Bimmer

Thanks bluebee! I bought this, read the instructions, and total time in the car was under 5 minutes getting the code. Of course i have no idea how to solve my code, but at least I identified it

I highly recommend the Autel for ease of use and price. It'll stay conveniently in my glove compartment.

Originally Posted by aspensilver540

Of course i have no idea how to solve my code

There is only one answer of what to do once you get a PCODE.

See it repeated in this thread yesterday when the same question was asked:
- Code Reader?

I just bought another one of these and the Amazon price is down to about $20.50 + about $5.50 shipping for a total of $26 (or free shipping if you can jack the price up above $25 by buying two of them and saving them to give to friends that help you work on your bimmer - which is what I do)...

You know you are becoming a grease monkey/gear head when you give car repair tools as gifts!!!!

Originally Posted by bluebee

I just bought another one of these and the Amazon price is down to about $20.50 + about $5.50 shipping for a total of $26 (or free shipping if you can jack the price up above $25 by buying two of them and saving them to give to friends that help you work on your bimmer - which is what I do)...

So, how well does this one work and what are the limitations?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by bluebee

I just bought another one of these and the Amazon price is down to about $20.50 + about $5.50 shipping for a total of $26 (or free shipping if you can jack the price up above $25 by buying two of them and saving them to give to friends that help you work on your bimmer - which is what I do)...

I know this isn't much but it's $1 less (with shipping) from fleabay. Just lookup "maxiscan".

.

These are now less than $10 on Ebay with shipping, still a superior option if you own a laptop.

Originally Posted by 540 M-Sport

Assuming you own a laptop, the absolutely cheapest thing out there is an ELM327 scanner purchased off Ebay. I have recently seen them selling for $21 delivered, and they even include the freeware/software on a cd rom. I have been using one for a over two years now and it works great. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-E...item1e5f088bb8 They make a cordless bluetooth version that sells for $36.

Three advantages to it:

1) It reads out sensor data too. So you can read O2 sensor voltages, to verify operation. It also reads out intake air temp, coolant temp, engine rpm, etc.

2) You have the option of purchasing even more sophisticated software to perform even more detailed readouts, graphing, etc.

3) Larger display

Not a bad investment for less than $25.

For ultimate simplicity, I would go with Bluebee's suggestion...simply and easy to use.

Originally Posted by crazy4trains

So, how well does this one work and what are the limitations?

Works fine for the four things I need it for:
a) indicates pending codes
b) indicates triggered codes
c) indicates when the indicators are 'ready' (for smog inspection for example)
d) clears codes

The limitation is in the specifications. It's not fancy. It doesn't give freeze-frame data, for example. But, for me, that's what the BMW diagnostic tools are for.
Making sense of the most often recommended BMW diagnostic tools & cable interfaces (1) & BMW factory & dealer programming, coding, and diagnostic software such as INPA, EDIABAS, NCS Expert, DIS, EasyDIS, Progman (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) & related BMW diagnostic-tool forums (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

I've read about 10 carsoft threads. I can't for the life of me figure out if Carsoft gives a a detailed diagnosis of the Air Conditioning system. Will Carsoft tell me exactly what is wrong with my AC? If so, how detailed? ie specific code for evaporator, fan, condenser, not enough refrigerant, ...

Also, does it do the same for auto tranny?

Any good indy can service the A/C. You need a vacuum pump and gauges.

Originally Posted by King540i

I can't for the life of me figure out if Carsoft gives a a detailed diagnosis of the Air Conditioning system.

This probably wouldn't be the right thread to ask that. I would think it should be covered in the Carsoft threads. I typed /carsoft F3 in the bestlinks and found this set ... which would seem like the right threads to ask that question of:
- What does Carsoft do anyway (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

Originally Posted by occhis

Any good indy can service the A/C. You need a vacuum pump and gauges.

If I type /air conditioning F3 in the bestlinks, this comes up, among others:

- How to learn about (1) and set up your air conditioning (1) (2) & how to replace the activated charcoal cabin air filter (1) (2) (3) & what cabin filter to buy (1) (2) & cn90's inexpensive cabin filter retrofit (1) (2) (3) & cabin air filter implications for stinky gym sock AC odors (1) (2) (3) (4) & how to refill your A/C system for $20 (1) (2) (3) (4) & where to find your low pressure aircon recharge port (1) & what refrigerant PAG oil to use (1) (1) & R134a conversion information (1) (2) how to measure A C temperature (1) & how to diagnose A / C compressor knocking sounds (1) & air conditioner compressor replacement DIYs (1) or compressor rebuilds (1) or ac hose rebuilding services (1) & how to remove the IHKA air conditioning control panel to clean the circuit board (1) (2) (3) (4) with removal of MID, HVAC/IHKA, Business CD player (1), & dashboard trim (1) & how to remove the trim and bracket holding the MID & HVAC/IHKA panels (1) (2) or to replace the IHKA button (1) & how to check the IHKA sampling fan (1) & how to change OBC MID IHKA KTMP temperature from degrees Celcius to Fahrenheit (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) & how to diagnose lack of HVAC/IHKA heater core heat with cooling system (auxiliary pump) at idle (1) & what is this thing (HVAC/IHKA solar sensor) in the middle of my dashboard by the windshield (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7).