looking for a recommendation for a code scanner
- Thread starter uncool
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I have the inovva unit with can/bus and ABS. Great little unit, got it on sale a few years ago for $189 or something like that. Also have used the OBD II USB cable for laptop, it was an eBay special, it does the basics, but unless you know how to properly read and interpret data values I wouldn't recommend it. Also it has lied to me on a few occasions. My innova does live data also.
What year? That would help determine if you need OBD I or OBD II.
No code reader for OBD 1.
Thanks Jon.
I'd recommend an UltraGauge. It will read codes and is very handy for continuous monitoring.
I'd recommend an UltraGauge. It will read codes and is very handy for continuous monitoring.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2003
- Threads
- 18
- Messages
- 211
Second the Innova. I have a $50 Harbor Freight unit that works on the Cruiser but the Innova is a pretty slick upgrade--so far...so good.
Ultraguage works very well for me
- Thread starter
- #10
sorry , 97
I have an ELM 327 BT version with Torque Pro on my phone. But I recently opted to go with an Ultragauge instead, to free up the phone for other tasks, and it is working out great for me. It scans and clears codes just like the Torque Pro app.
I have the Auto Enginuity system. ScanTool $250
I bought it for using with my 2 Ford diesels so I have the enhanced Ford software package with it. The Toyota enhanced package will not do what the Factory Scan tool will do on our older Cruisers. But it will read the O2 sensors in real time and other generic real time data. It graphs the O2 sensors together as you drive down the road, and you can see which one is under preforming (front or rear sensor). I have helped my friends out too because when they have a bad O2 sensor in a 4 sensor system, they did not have to buy all 4 trying to get the correct one that need replacing.
It will not read EGR temps or command the EGR system to test. It does read up to 9 sensors in real time for your viewing pleasure. It definitely is the next step in diagnosis repair work.
I bought it for using with my 2 Ford diesels so I have the enhanced Ford software package with it. The Toyota enhanced package will not do what the Factory Scan tool will do on our older Cruisers. But it will read the O2 sensors in real time and other generic real time data. It graphs the O2 sensors together as you drive down the road, and you can see which one is under preforming (front or rear sensor). I have helped my friends out too because when they have a bad O2 sensor in a 4 sensor system, they did not have to buy all 4 trying to get the correct one that need replacing.
It will not read EGR temps or command the EGR system to test. It does read up to 9 sensors in real time for your viewing pleasure. It definitely is the next step in diagnosis repair work.
I'm with Parsnip, here. I just leave the ELM327 hooked up full time and ride with the cell phone with TorquePro II running when I'm out.
X3 on the ELM 327 but I'm using Dash Command as my program on my Galaxy S5. Love it.
Make sure the ELM 327 will work with your vehicle.
I have two from Amazon and neither will work with my 1996 LandCruiser. They both will work with my 2000 SC300 and my wife's 2007 Acura.
This is apparently a common issue for some of the cheap units, both of which I have. YMMV.
There is a thread ELM327 problems discussing this.
My Ultragauge has worked flawlessly since day one.
I have two from Amazon and neither will work with my 1996 LandCruiser. They both will work with my 2000 SC300 and my wife's 2007 Acura.
This is apparently a common issue for some of the cheap units, both of which I have. YMMV.
There is a thread ELM327 problems discussing this.
My Ultragauge has worked flawlessly since day one.
I found a commonality in the ones that worked and the ones that did not. (speaking of the el cheapos not the expensive nice ones that use real ELM chips)
The version 1.X ones support SAE J1850-VPW which is what we need for our TLC/LXs. The 2.X ones say they support SAE J1850-VPW but pin 2 is not soldered to anything so it can never work. So I believe that if one were to order from eBay and get a 1.X it would work as well as the el cheapos are capable of and this is good enough for me.
I use a Snap On MT2500, it will do all pre OBD, OBD1, and OBD2 cars and trucks, you can pick one up used, from anywhere around 100 to 250 bucks. Plus you can find a ton of stuff for it on EBay along with brand new updated software cartridges. I use it on my 94 Land Cruiser, with it i can read all my trucks trouble codes without using the "paper clip" count the number of blinking lights on the dash method. I can also read coolant temps, rpm, spark voltages ,O2, ECT, ECT. on my truck with this code reader.
Last edited:
Do you know if this unit will do an ABS bleed on the obd1 system? I am assuming you have it on a 93 cruiser?
Just as an FYI before you buy any scan tool make sure that it comes with a connection port adapter that will mate to your obd1 connector mounted under the hood of your truck. Most code readers for sale today only come with the obd2 port connector, so they will not connect to your older obd 1 connector.
A little obd history, before *1996* each car maker had their own style and shaped obd connector, but in 1996 that all changed due to federal law that stated that all new cars and trucks made in 1996 and after, will all use the same style, and shaped obd connector.
1996 is also the firm change over date for all car makers in the USA to make the finale transition from obd1, to the much improved obd 2 system.
* Toyota started the change over to the obd2 system, and style of connector around the start of the 1995 model year for the Land Cruise line.*
Just as a side note, I've read here on Mud that some early production 1995 land cruisers came with the old obd 1 system and connector, so not all 1995 land cruisers will be obd2.
Slippery slope those OBD2 scanners. lol
Code anxiety is real.
Code anxiety is real.