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Old 09-17-2017, 07:02 PM   #1
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Scanner question

Probably like Dracula Movies....been done to death...but

I have a Durametric for my Boxster , but I also have a code reader from Harbor freight that seems to be almost worthless (Thanks mom for the Christmas present). Does anyone have a CRP123 or Launch X431 and how well so they work ??

I was trying to read codes with my Harbor Freight for my good friend on her BMW128I and nothing showed up......nothing...saif couldn't communicate with vehicle , I tried every way and nothing...so any idea if I decide to acquire a new general purpose scanner in the future...and I am talking under or around $200 bucks...bot 5 grand.

Thanks in advance

Dwight

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Old 09-17-2017, 07:18 PM   #2
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My +/- $50 HF scanner works on the Volvo, Porsche and the Mazda. Reads and clears and also has a graphing function that I can export and print out. Does it/has it ever worked on a generic US vehicle?
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Old 09-17-2017, 09:22 PM   #3
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I've got to agree with Rex, my HF cheapy scanner has worked just great to get me out of my bind! Not a detailed scanner such as the Durametric but for basic troubleshooting if you are in harmony with basic understandings of p-codes it suffices. Obd2 codes in general for the most part just point you in the general direction of where the problem may lie. It is by no means perfect.
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Old 09-18-2017, 02:22 AM   #4
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One of the shortcomings of Harbor Freight is quality control. You may have a faulty unit.
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Old 09-18-2017, 03:09 AM   #5
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I wanted something to use with my non-Porsche cars (I have a Durametric), so I bought an OTC Scan Tool (OTC-3208) that does OBDII and ABS and it did a great job of identifying the cause of the ABS problems on my GM vehicle (front right wheel sensor wire).

Got it on ebay for $69.50 with free shipping. I've had good luck with more expensive OTC readers in the past (Monitor 2000/4000/etc) so I figured I'd give the 3208 a chance. I figured it was worth a try. It's cheap. It's simple. It works. It was just what I was looking for.
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Old 09-18-2017, 04:41 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BirdDog View Post
I wanted something to use with my non-Porsche cars (I have a Durametric), so I bought an OTC Scan Tool (OTC-3208) that does OBDII and ABS and it did a great job of identifying the cause of the ABS problems on my GM vehicle (front right wheel sensor wire).

Got it on ebay for $69.50 with free shipping. I've had good luck with more expensive OTC readers in the past (Monitor 2000/4000/etc) so I figured I'd give the 3208 a chance. I figured it was worth a try. It's cheap. It's simple. It works. It was just what I was looking for.
OTC are made by Bosh and work very well for me as well.
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Old 09-18-2017, 04:29 PM   #7
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This is the one I have

https://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd-ii-scan-tool-with-abs-60794.html

I read and reset a code on my neighbors Ford truck, the code it gave was a cryptic code and not a ford OBDII code....but I could reset it.

It would be nice if it gave the actual codes generated by the car so you could look them up.....it would not even talk to any of the three BMW's I tried
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Old 09-18-2017, 05:14 PM   #8
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A second PC based program I use is Dyno Scan. It looks similar to Durametrics not quite as may feature but it has real-time diagnostics. Live data storage and retrieval. live dat monitor wave monitor screens for O2 and MAF sensors. on sale online $119.

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Old 09-22-2017, 08:44 PM   #9
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I contacted them

No access to ABS systems or maintenance resets

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