I'm looking to get a code reader for vehicles and I'm wondering if y'all have any recommendations. Who am I kidding I'm sure I'm going to get more information than I needed and end up buying a bunch more than I really need which is what usually happens when I ask about stuff here

Vehicles it will be used on will be 2009 to 2016 2 are GM full size pickups and 3rd will be a Nissan.

I like the idea of a bluetooth one that works with my phone as it's one less thing to store (or at least smaller to store)

I'm just looking for one that can read and clear, and if it's not too much more I'll go with one that can do ABS and airbag stuff. I don't really want to go over $100 and less is good too.

I'm liking this so far. Does anyone have one of these?

https://www.amazon.com/BlueDri...ndroid/dp/B00652G4TS

I have a wireless reader from ultragauge that uses Bluetooth to sync to an app on my tablet. I leave it connected all the time as it sends real time performance data to the app.

I really like it but it is probably overkill. There are may less expensive options out there if you just need to pull a code.

Ultragauge blue

I got mine at harbor freight

Did everything I needed it to

It takes about $3 in hardware to send the OBD2 signal to bluetooth. You're paying for the software to interpret the signal, and then interpret that. You're also paying a helluva lot of markup in most cases.

<$20 OBD/Bluetooth dongle + $5 Torq (android app, read & clear codes, see sensor data) + google (for the codes). Unless you want to spend multiple $1000s on something that can do the make/model specific details. Generic OBD is pretty limited, but if you just want to see what lit up the MIL, you don't need anything fancy.
I don't have experience with the $99 device linked, but it doesn't look like anything special. App looks slick, that's worth something at least. Having the P-code lookup built into the app would be nice, but I can google "silverado P0455' a lot for $100.

I can't recommend a specific brand, but do recommend to be sure it will provide definitions for manufacturer-specific codes, or (if you get one) you will be quite annoyed to have to search elsewhere for them.

I’m no mechanic and I’m certianly no expert on the various code readers but I bought this one a couple years ago and I like it. It’s easy to use and seems to have all the features I need.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...ilpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this guy on Saturday to read and clear a code on the wife's 2014 BMW X3. My ScanGuage II would not read the code.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

~$20, works with any number of Apps available on the Android or iTunes stores. I used the free version of the Torque app, and it read and cleared the code without issue.

(Turns out it was a small evap system leak, and my quick look around the car identified a gas cap that doesn't quite tighten down and click as per usual.)

I have used many including programming tools to tune vehicles. If all you want to do is read codes and reset, cheap works great. I use an ELM327 adapter and EngineLink app for simple stuff.

For convenience with a small fleet of vehicles I use DashBoss. It is a little more pricey ($150) but it works great on all my vehicles.

If you want the ability to access other systems like ABS or initiating reset procedures when replacing sensors you need something more complete. There are MANY handheld code readers from china. They are hit or miss for many vehicles. I use software from Ease http://www.obd2.com/. You need a recommended plug in module for the more advanced features. This works very well on my diesels as there are many procedures you need to run when replacing certain parts so the computer can learn the new parts. This is $179 per vehicle group (Chevy Trucks/SUV 209-2013) or $999 for all GM up to a few grand for advanced equipment for automotive shops. This option requires a laptop. I like the laptop option as you get regular updates where with a handheld, support is questionable depending on unit purchased.

Good luck whatever you choose.

quote:

Originally posted by Pale Horse:
I’m no mechanic and I’m certianly no expert on the various code readers but I bought this one a couple years ago and I like it. It’s easy to use and seems to have all the features I need.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...ilpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have that same one. It has worked great on 5 or 6 cars (every one I've tried it on). Read and cleared codes when there was a MIL, and checked several cars as good when my Daughter was used-car shopping.

I have a 2016 Expedition. I wanted to change the code that made the vehicle horn honk twice if you got out of the vehicle and closed the door while it was running.
My friend who owns a body shape has a computer that will read and change codes. His wouldn't go deep enough into the computer to make the change.
Manufacturers are narrowing you down to going back to them to do even the simplest things.

I used to have a Bluetooth one I used with the Torque app. It worked great and gave me good real-time info. This was on an Android platform.

What apps are people using with the iPhone? I haven't found a good one I really like the iPhone. Torque was my goto and I really liked it but it's a no-go with Apple and that's what I now have.

Bought a Cadillac many years ago. Turned out it has a full scale analyzer built into the car. Would give diagnostic codes, manual overrides, disable cylinders, change dampening rates, read injector pulse widths / crosscounts, and more stuff I didn't understand.

I wish that other manufacturers would put that much effort in serviceability of their vehicles.