Advice on Purchasing Code Scanner

[j.fro]

I've got an Actron that I purchased back in 2005. It works great on my 00 986, but it doesn't work on my wife's 07 BMW X3.
I've seen OBD II apps for my iPhone, and I am intrigued.

I've also got the Durametric, and I am a bit disappointed (got it with my Softronic reflash). Yeah, it does all of the OBD II stuff, and I can reset an airbag light, but I was hoping for more. It allows you to test many systems by activating them with the engine off, but it does not permit permanent deactivation of anything. I need to disable the spoiler mechanism (I've got the Aerokit II, so all of the factory moveable spoiler is gone), remove the door airbags, and get rid of the secondary air injection. All of that is beyond the Durametric programing.

[jmatta]

I purchased an Actron...does the job for me, though it is very basic. I use it more on the daily drivers than I do the Box, as it has never thrown a code.

[clickman]

You can't get more basic or more portable (or cheaper) than the one I bought:

http://www.launchx431.ca/c-reader-iv.php

I paid $40

[Johnny Danger]

There's a slew of no name brand scanners going for cheap on ebay. I wonder if any of them are acceptable for what I need it for ?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBD-II-SCANNER-OBD2-2-SCAN-TOOL-CODE-READER-OBDII-ENHAN-/380335464236?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item588dc29f2c#ht_8585wt_1167

[2TrunkSteve]

I've had this a few years and it works for most issues. Neighbors and friends have borrowed it a few times too and they all give it a thumbs up. It's versatile and easy to use.

[Dave928]

for the money, Durametric really isn't much more than a generic hand scanner. it doesn't even do coding like activate/deactivate airbags or turn on the OBC.

check out VAG-COM for vw's/audis if you want to see what a pc-based scanner should be.

http://www.ross-tech.com/

using Vag-Com on a vw you can recode just about anything you can think of.

when Durametric is at the level of Vag-Com or the factory scan tool, i'll think about it.

[Dale_K]

If you only need to clear the code and nothing else you could just disconnect the battery. In fact that might be a good idea anyway for a MAF sensor issue because you want the car to discard all its previous fuel trim adaptation values. Sometimes clearing the code with a scanner will do it but disconnecting the battery is guaranteed to force the car to relearn.

[sbetz]

Vag-Com will not work on a Porsche Boxter, will it?

Originally Posted by Dave928

for the money, Durametric really isn't much more than a generic hand scanner. it doesn't even do coding like activate/deactivate airbags or turn on the OBC.

check out VAG-COM for vw's/audis if you want to see what a pc-based scanner should be.

http://www.ross-tech.com/

using Vag-Com on a vw you can recode just about anything you can think of.

when Durametric is at the level of Vag-Com or the factory scan tool, i'll think about it.