I have a 2001 Ford F-150 5.4L v8 XLT. I noticed my fuel mileage had dropped off a bit and I could feel the motor missing. Instead of possible being ripped off by some questionable "shade tree" mechanic, I decided to order this product. It arrived 2 days later with fantastic packaging.
I hooked up the AUTOPHIX code reader and it told me it was an ignition problem on the first page along with the code. The next page told me specifically it was the #8 coil that was bad. I went to O'Reilly's Auto Parts store and bought 8 new plugs, and 1 new coil plug. The entire fix cost me less than $150 by doing it myself. I would highly recommend this product, you cant go wrong.
H. Owens
Kaw City, Oklahoma
2/23/2019
If you're not sure whether you need an ODB2 reader, skip to the next paragraph. If you've decided you need an ODB2 code reader, I will tell you that this one works very well. Most are very simple devices, and this one is no exception. What stands out with this one is that the display is color and is very easy to read (even with my 50+ year old eyes). The included instructions are very useful and actually written in comprehensible English. It is a BASIC code reader - its not going to check things like ABS sensors and airbag sensors, but it will read the engine management functions included in the ODB2 spec. It also features a very nice battery system check that graphs the battery voltage during start-up. This can be very helpful in determining the health of your battery & alternator (seeing how far the voltage drops during start-up and then seeing the charging voltage afterwards). The unit can also be used to clear codes, which can get you home in an emergency if you get stranded by a bad sensor, or if you complete a repair and address the cause of a code.
Do you need an ODB2 code reader?
You don't really need an ODB2 code reader until your you see some sort of MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) such as "check engine". If you're getting a check engine light, then this scanner can help you decode the issue, potentially saving you a LOT of money and frustration. IF you already know how to fix cars. If you don't then this is nothing more than an interesting gadget.
Here's why:
Modern engine systems use a myriad of sensors to measure everything from battery voltage, air temperature, coolant temperature, engine RPM, atmospheric density, exhaust gas, fuel to air ratio, and other inputs in order to continuously adjust fuel/air mixtures, ignition timing, and other system functions. The end goal is to optimize performance while minimizing exhaust emissions.
All of this is done using one or more "computers" (often referred to as ECMs or Electronic Control Modules). If there are ever anomalies in the inputs that the ECM receives, it will store a fault code. If enough of these fault codes accumulate (or if certain ones occur at all) the ECM will throw the "Check Engine" light. Some cars will then also go into "limp home" mode, which dramatically reduces performance in order to just get you home without blowing anything up (metaphorically speaking).
Now your options are:
1. Start guessing about what might be wrong and start swapping parts randomly based on stuff you read on the Internet (Well, I got error PO172, and it says that is often caused by the O2 sensor, so I'll put a new one in!) . This can get very expensive while providing no assurance that the actual problem will be solved.
2. Take it to a professional (which might be your only option if you're not mechanically savvy).
3. Use a code scanner like this to find out WHY the Check Engine Light has come on, then use diagnostics to effect a repair of the root cause of the problem.
If you are like me and have experience with working on cars from pre-computer days, but have shied away from working on modern cars, an ODB2 scanner can get you back in the game! It decodes the source of the problem, but it won't tell you how to fix it.
For example, you might get a code PO172 which tells you that the exhaust gas contains too much fuel. Unless you're familiar with auto repair, there isn't going to be much you can do with this information. But if you have some old school experience like me, you can use this information in conjunction with either physical evidence or additional codes to actually determine and then fix the solution (like a leaking fuel injector or bad O2 sensor). Using additional tools like volt meters and physical inspection you can determine the exact cause.
Since labor is increasingly the most expensive part of car repair (my local shop charges $145 an hour!) and diagnostic work is very labor intensive, you can potentially save a LOT of money doing this sort of thing yourself.
I'm sure many of us have been on the road driving to some nonchalant destination and the unthinkable happens... The check engine light turns on! Ohh no! Is my engine on fire? Are my spark plugs okay? What could it be?
After the initial shock and stress from not knowing what's wrong with your car and the subsequent appointment made in haste to have some automotive technician tell us that it was just some "misfire on cylinder 3," I'm sure we wish there was a way to skip the shop for the initial diagnosis. Luckily, I now have the AUTOPHIX to give me pease of mind whether or not I need to cut my trip short and head to the nearest shop. The construction of this code reader is nice and hefty and the menus and settings are easy to use. I highly recommend watching a youtube video to understand how to use this tool before you start plugging and unplugging stuff in your car.
Not much to dislike about this. DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes), CAN (control area network messages) which are vehicle manufacturer specific so it contains several versions. PWM's (pulse width modulation a waveform where wavelength and amplitude are used to represent diagnostic or other communication messages). The device supports these and more. I've been a control test engineer who's worked with CAN in both the trucking and automotive industry and so I can vouch for this device. It can read most, and even reset some messages that just need to be cleared. ODBII stands for onboard diagnostics, it was combined with a universal connector for all automotive vehicles, where the older OBD1 need a different plug and cable for each automotive manufacturer. Likely you won't need that unless your vehicle is more than 30 years old. Amazing how long vehicles have been using computers now pretty much since the late 70's. Anyway this seems easy to use, inexpensive, and better than many auto part stores use to help you get the needed parts. It won't replace a good SUN machine or the expensive diagnostic devices mechanics use, but it will guide you for many things you don't need to take the car to the shop for as well as take the mysteries out of how severer a dianostic warning is for your own safety. It will store in the glove box, so if you get something on a trip, you can pull over to a rest area, check it and determine if you can continue or need to head to a shop or call a tow truck. Really nice Recommended.
Review by my far more automotively inclined nephew: This orange and black OBD-II reader is not exactly what I would call pretty, nor does it feel hefty. Looks, as they say, are deceiving though. I bought a Craftsman reader about 12 years ago and it had the most basic functionality and has worked well for me for the same price. This device however, has shown me how far they've come with the technology and it has completely blown me away with what it can do. Not only does it read and reset check engine lights, but it can show you if the check engine light has been reset recently, a nice thing to find out when you're shopping for cars. It can also run specific tests for your O2 sensors, calculates catalyst life and can do real time monitoring of up to three sensors at a time. You can change the units of measurement in the settings. I understand you can hook this up to a laptop and record the real time monitoring so you can do a drive test without watching a screen to see what your car is doing, though I haven't tried that yet.
Feature Product
- 【Comprehensive Vehicle Code Reader 】Get a quick tour of our OM129 OBD2 Scanner Video on the left side, you will know how it works on trouble codes with definition and potential causes of your vehicle, identify issues related to fuel efficiency and vehicle emissions, initiate a leak test for vehicle's evap system, misfire monitor and turn off the checking engine lights. This Code Reader Car Diagnostic Tool is a dedicated device for car engine comprehensive diagnosis. In expansion, it includes a battery location module on screen present the well being of the battery.
- 【Compatibility 】This Engine Code Reader is compatible with most vehicles sold in the USA with model year of 1996 or newer, the Europeans Manufactured after 2000 and the classical Asian cars made after 2006; Supports ALL OBD II protocols: KWP2000, ISO9141, J1850 VPW, J1850 PWM and CAN (controller Area Network). 16 languages available so that no matter where are you from, it always helps you.
- 【Gigantic database with VEHICLE Conceivable CAUSES】This OBDII Scan Tool can provide you OBD2 error codes (diagnostic trouble codes) with definition as well as VEHICLE Conceivable CAUSES. You can easily understand the problem of your vehicle before taking it to mechanic. No more research on google, spare your time and cash; Compare with 8MB streak chip built in normal codes reader, AUTOPHIX OM129 Car Diagnostic Scanner is equipped with 32MB flash chip that greatly expedites data proceeding.
- 【Accurate Battery Check】Gather real time battery voltage, analyze information automatically in no time and display results in graph format for better understanding on errors. Verified on thousands of residential and Domestic Automotive vehicles make battery current measure simple and accurate. Test Standard: IEC62321-1: 2013.
- 【User Friendly】Life time free online update keeps you up to date technology. Data review and reports print make it convenient to review respective data any time, any where. Genuine color display makes this obd 2 code scanner display easy to read under any lighting. Everything we do is geared to help you avoid unnecessary troubles and enjoy your life and work.
Description
Specification * Support completely 10 modes of OBD2 function * Supports ALL OBD II protocols: CAN, J1850 PWM, J1850 VPW, ISO9141 and KWP2000. * Turns off Check Engine Light (MIL), clears codes and resets monitors * 2. 4" TFT true color (262K) LCD color screen display, fashionable design, easy to operate * Built-in OBD-II Fault code lookup library OBD2 Functions 1 I/M Readiness: It can be used by automotive technicians to determine if the tested vehicle is ready for an emission test 2. Review: Store diagnostic data report for review and print 3. DTC Lookup: To search for the definitions of DTCs stored in the DTC library and for code breaker information 4. Data Stream: Let you view all data stream items and the live waveform of all selected items 5. Freeze Frame: It is a snapshot of the operating conditions at the time of an emission-related fault 6. O2 Sensor Test: Monitor and adjust air/fuel mixture 8 On-board Monitor Test: It can be utilized to read the results of on-board diagnostic monitoring tests for specific components / systems. 7. EVAP System Test: Monitor the integrity of the fuel tank system, let you initiate a leak test for the vehicles' EVAP system 8. Vehicle Information: Allows you view the relevant information of the vehicle, including VIN, CID and CVN Warm tips: A. There is a FEEDBACK function in your machine's "setup" which provides you prompt assistance in compatibility issue. B. If computer gives you a black display when connecting with your device, please download file from official website:
Anyone who owns a car should own and learn to use a OBD2 Scanner. It’s an invaluable tool for determining the cause of any error code that your vehicle may throw your way. $69 is a small price to pay for the peace of mind in knowing what’s wrong with your car before you take it in to the shop. It’s also nice to be able to clear a code if there’s nothing wrong with your car. For example, if you accidentally leave your fuel cap open you can get a code that may not go away even after the fuel door is closed. With this tool you can make the annoying code go away without visiting your repair shop. It’s also a nice tool for monitoring your battery life. Using this tool you can easily see if your battery is still holding a charge.
The AUTOPHIX Code Reader is very rugged and the cord is just long enough to not be obtrusive. It’s a good value and an invaluable tool.
Compact well designed hand held unit that reads the onboard computer ( just like the dealer does) when the check engine light goes on. It can tell you the status of your vehicle (inspection ready) and diagnose problems. Does what any dealer or mechanic does first, checking all the on board electronic warnings. My husband is absolutely thrilled with this as am I. Simple to use.
Even if you never want to do repairs yourself, this helps you determine what the issue is. I’ve spent a lifetime being fleeced by mechanics. This is a tool that puts one in my column. Excellent tool for a car savvy do it yourselves too. Must have for any shade tree mechanic.
I got this code reader with a neighbor/friend with a Suburu Forester in mind, so that he could begin to understand better how to interpret and act on error codes. We are going to set a time to run the diagnostic tool as rank beginners and report back. A second neighbor, who used to run an auto repair shop in New Hampshire, will also help to evaluate this tool. I have high hopes given its affordability and good directions that even us neophytes will understand how to use this, not just the repair shop owner! Hopefully this can be a resource for all of us in our Baltimore neighbhorhood.
I just got this this weekend and used it as soon as I opened the package. I work in an office and am not a mechanic so I like that I can just hook up my car in seconds and it tells me the code for why my Service Engine Soon light is coming on (which happens more and more frequently as my 1999 Suburban ages). The small booklet that comes with it has all the codes and what they mean. I found out that it's just an emissions thing that can wait for the truck's next oil change. This saved me time, money and anxiety all for under $25.00. I would definitely recommend to anyone.
I had a cheap $15 OBD2 scanner that worked well. But it was quite limited in features. Basic led screen, light as air and cheaply made. This guy is awesome. So many extra features plus the ability to update via the internet. Love the lcd screen too. This is worth the extra bucks if you own used cars like I do. My daughter, her boyfriend and I all own used cars. This has come in handy on all three. It couldn't be easier to use.
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