I have been looking into getting an OBDII tester for my 98OBW, I have borrowed an AutoXray from a friend and also the model from PartsAmerica (dont remember model) and basically all these do is get codes, and reset codes. I have not gotten the real time O2 sensor output on the AutoXray to work on the Suby for instance.

 

Does anyone have any experience they might have had with a tester? I really think i would like a PC based model if a suitable one exists so I might be able to see real time performance stuff. I understand there is also communications with the transmissions (or at least the 4EAT and 5EAT) so this is something I would like to see as well.

 

Any inputs?

Joe:clap:

I have been looking into getting an OBDII tester for my 98OBW, I have borrowed an AutoXray from a friend and also the model from PartsAmerica (dont remember model) and basically all these do is get codes, and reset codes. I have not gotten the real time O2 sensor output on the AutoXray to work on the Suby for instance.

 

Does anyone have any experience they might have had with a tester? I really think i would like a PC based model if a suitable one exists so I might be able to see real time performance stuff. I understand there is also communications with the transmissions (or at least the 4EAT and 5EAT) so this is something I would like to see as well.

 

Any inputs?

Joe:clap:

 

You may want to check out the Elmscan-5 diagnostic tool if you want to go with the PC setup. It's cheaper than a hand-held (unless you get one of the REALLY low quality ones) and gives you real-time diagnostics. The software you get with it will do the job as well. After checking around, I found this to be the best deal I can find...

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ElmScan-5-Automotive-Diagnostic-Scan-Tool-OBD-II_W0QQitemZ170005118073QQihZ007QQcategoryZ43998QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

They include the cables necessary to connect to the vehicle and your PC as well.

I have the BR-1 version of the following since 2000. I've used it on all types of vehicles domestic and imports with an older 486 based laptop I plug into the lighter socket and sit it on the seat beside me to monitor sensors when we have one giving us real grief.

 

Even gives you the freeze frame data from the last code set. It has well paid for itself hundred of times over.

 

http://obddiagnostics.com/

If you don't like the laptop based scanners, I recommend the actron cp9145. http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16143

I got kit that does off amazon for about $280 with shipping. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00020BM32/qid=1152410449/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-0487914-3921449?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=15684181

 

My only complaint is that it is not backlit, so reading while driving in the dark is problematic. Other then that I don't have any complaints.