What is a code scanner and why do I need one?

All cars sold 1996 and later in the United States are required to interface with a standard OBD-II (On Board Diagnostics System). This system controls the emissions and operations of your cars engine.

This computer is tied into the Check Engine Light on your car to alert you that something in your cars computer is outside of its normal operating conditions and needs service.

It can be something as simple as a loose gas cap - or a very complicated and expensive repair.

This computer controls everything, fuel to air mixture, timing, idle speed, shift points, and more - and this computer makes its decisions based on dozens of sensors monitoring everything about your engines condition be it temperature, altitude, fuel quality etc.

As we all know about computers - the data in is critical, if a sensor is malfunctioning, the computer cannot make the correct decision, and your car will run poorly, and if its running bad enough, the check engine light will light up!

The key is that you must have a Diagnostic Scan Tool to access the computer to find out what sensor or component is failing.

A rough running engine could be due to bad plugs and wires, bad Oxygen Sensor, Air Filter, Mass Airflow Sensor, etc etc -

Without a Code Scanner you are just changing parts and hoping for the best - a sure waste of time and money!

Features:

Simple Push Button Operation - Nothing is needed except for the unit

LED Read out of the Fault Code - Ex. 0104

Code Book - Tells you 0104 is the Mass Airflow Sensor Circuit

Reset Button - After you have resolved the problem, reset the code and enjoy the drive

If you do not know what is broken - you cannot fix it, certainly the first time! If the problem looks like something too big to tackle yourself, you now have an idea of what the problem is so that when you go to your mechanic, you are not at his full mercy.

Will this work with my car?

Not for:

Diesel E Class

If your car was sold in the US, 1996 or newer and Gasoline yes, if not simply check to see if your car has the connector below, under the dash in the passenger compartment.

ODB-2 Connector