Hi there!

I wonder if anyone could suggest a good OBD2 scanner to buy to be used in my 1997 ES300 and 1998 VW Golf. Any places to buy? What about the prices?

Thanks in advance for helping.

 

Make sure that you understand the difference between a scanner and a code reader. They are not the same, yet many use these names interchangeably. Do a Google search if necessary to understand the difference.

Basically however a Scanner, in addition to everything that a Reader does, will also give you access to live engine data parameters, such as Fuel trims, Coolant Temperature, etc.. It will also allow you to view freeze frame data, and provides other useful information that could be used for diagnosis, and for pin pointing the cause of a problem. A Code Reader on the other hand will typically only display Engine Codes, and allow you to reset them.

A Scanner is much more useful, but usually cost a bit more.

Don't know if you have an AutoZone where you live, but they usually stock several models.

 

Assuming you want a device to read and reset trouble codes and show associated freeze-frame data, I like the Equus 3100 Innova Revision E, for around $80 on the Walmart website and sometimes at Costco.

 

I just got the Innovate OT-2 and it is pretty cool. You need a smartphone though.

http://www.innovatemotorsports.com/products/ot2.php

 

Thanks a lot for the posts!

Yes, I was thinking to buy a scanner exactly because it has a lot more features than a simple code reader. I have doubt about which one would be better for my Lexus and VW Golf. Other than that, price will be important in my decision.

 

You might just wanna make sure that yr 97 ES is an OBD 2 car - i quizzed an OBD 2 seller on Ebay and he said that my ES was OBD 1. Now thats not definitive, but its worth double checking before you buy one. Cheers Peter.

 

all 96 up obd2 i think

 

after Googleing scanners, I purchased from Ebay an Actron CP9120. Works quite well.

 

A word of advice: Toyota also uses a system called M-OBD (Multiplex OBD) in its vehicles manufactured abroad. If you live in another country, there is good chance that your ES uses the M-OBD system, which is not OBD2 compliant. Therefore, if this is your case, none of the scanners mentioned above will work.

 

I also got the Elm 327 Bluetooth that pairs up with my android phone. The Torque Pro software really rocks! What I really like about it is that it shows all the scan data and you can customize it. The total cost for the Elm 327 and the Torque Pro software was less than $30.

 

all 1996 and up cars by law have to have obd2. i have that little bluetooth obd2 scanner to use with a smartphone and it works excellent with the torque app. you can check codes and live data and shut off engine light and i think you can get things like 0-60 times. i bought mine off of ebay for like 20 dollars. if you buy it dont use the cd thats included in your computer. i read that it gives a virus to your pc. i dont know if any of that is true though.

 

I bought an Actron CP9580A code scanner. They go for $249 at Advance Auto but I got a new in box one from ebay for $139. Very happy with it but I just wish I knew what to do with all the data. LOL. I'm learning though....

 

That's correct for cars sold in US, but not necessarily for cars sold abroad. If the OP's car has the M-OBD system, no OBD2 scanner/code reader will work in his car.

 

for ten bucks I bought from ebay an obd2 port that plugs into my 95es300 inside diagnostic port and runs to a usb I plug into my laptop. Includes some software to get you started and the good complete software is available for about 80 bucks. I haven't worked with it too much but it did help me to get the engine running so it was well worth the investment.

 

I just bought Actron CP9180, before I had cheap code reader