Need recomendation: Code reader purchase
- Thread starter sakoluvr
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jgue467
Senior Member
I went with a cheapy like this: https://www.amazon.com/OBD2-Scanner...8&qid=1512406138&sr=1-9&keywords=odb2+scanner
I figured if it didn't work, I could 'move' up in the odb2 chain to a 'higher' quality one.
Didn't need to, the silly thing has been working for 6 years, I use it on all my odb2 engines from porsche, bmw and other toyotas.
There are also fancier blue tooth ones that connect to your phone, if you like that kinda stuff. Luck. :cowboy:
I figured if it didn't work, I could 'move' up in the odb2 chain to a 'higher' quality one.
Didn't need to, the silly thing has been working for 6 years, I use it on all my odb2 engines from porsche, bmw and other toyotas.
There are also fancier blue tooth ones that connect to your phone, if you like that kinda stuff. Luck. :cowboy:
BoomSticks
Member
$3 ELM327 from aliexpress. Comes with Torque app.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...Tool-Works-on-Android-Symbian/2021746958.html
I bought a handful of them a few years ago. One in my truck, one in the wife's, and I've given a few away as gifts.
Essential tool. Reads codes, clears codes, and lets you watch live streaming data like O2 sensor voltage, engine temp, trans temp, etc.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...Tool-Works-on-Android-Symbian/2021746958.html
I bought a handful of them a few years ago. One in my truck, one in the wife's, and I've given a few away as gifts.
Essential tool. Reads codes, clears codes, and lets you watch live streaming data like O2 sensor voltage, engine temp, trans temp, etc.
averyislost
Member
https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-AD310-...15447&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=ancel+ad310&psc=1
I got this one from Amazon, it does everything I've needed it to do. Read codes, pending codes, and clears codes. And has live data readout as well which is nice for diagnostics that aren't throwing codes.
I got this one from Amazon, it does everything I've needed it to do. Read codes, pending codes, and clears codes. And has live data readout as well which is nice for diagnostics that aren't throwing codes.
Anyone have a bluedriver?
https://www.amazon.com/BlueDriver-B...00652G4TS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
https://www.amazon.com/BlueDriver-B...00652G4TS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
TonyB66
New member
If you want the ability to see and clear codes, plus additional functionality, like extra "gauges", you might want to consider a ScanGauge II.
I have cables routed nicely in each of our cars, and I just move the unit where it's needed; although it resides in the Runner.
https://www.scangauge.com/products/scangauge-ii/
Usually about 140-160 dollars...
I have cables routed nicely in each of our cars, and I just move the unit where it's needed; although it resides in the Runner.
https://www.scangauge.com/products/scangauge-ii/
Usually about 140-160 dollars...
jbrentd
New member
I just bought this one. It seems to work fine. The free apps that it'll work with have limited capabilities, but I do plan to buy one of the $9.99 apps that will show/log more data points.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XKQQQW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073XKQQQW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Kbuch1
New member
That's about $80 more than I would spend for this capability. A simple wifi enabled device with free app is sufficient to read and clear codes. With DashCommand, you can monitor several data points. other apps might expand that. Wouldn't drop $100 on this tool with so many other options available.
toyotaspeed90
New member
For the Toyota and Lexus (newer) vehicles for more control I have a 64 bit OBD2 to USB cable/driver with Techstream.
I also have a $15 bluetooth adapter and torque on my phone - which is great for all obd2 cars plus real time monitoring (like watching trans temps in the LX470 while towing a large trailer).
I also have a $15 bluetooth adapter and torque on my phone - which is great for all obd2 cars plus real time monitoring (like watching trans temps in the LX470 while towing a large trailer).
Brian.
Member
2nd not spending that kind of money for basic diagnostics. There is *nothing* advanced about the 3rd gen 4runner system, the cheapest of the cheap will do absolutely everything that Can be done.
I have 3 options. $15 Techstream (aliexpress) which, with a computer, allows me to do 100% of what any Toyota Dealer can do with the available system. The downside is portability.
A ~$20 BAFX bluetooth/OBD adapter (was supposed to be the best "cheap" option) combined with Torque or the $10 Torque Pro does nearly everything the Techstream software can do, and everything more normal people care about (monitoring what little can be monitored, clearing codes) on this vehicle. It falls down when you get into vehicles with CANBUS systems.
A ~$200 all vehicles CANBUS adapter that works with any given vehicles diagnostic software (like Techstream). I bought this for my two other vehicles, which are both riddled with CANBUS and forgot about it when I'd ordered the Techstream cable ~ though the cheap cable is easier to use.
There's not a whole lot to monitor on the 3rd Gen 4runners, this is absolutely Everything (via Techstream):
If you have a smartphone, just buy one that works with that. You're not going to gain anything over a $3 ELM unit by spending $100+ on a Bluedrive unit (for this vehicle). Ditto with the ODBLink unit ~ it's marketing in most cases, with Maybe some CANBUS functionality via a smartphone for a few.
I have 3 options. $15 Techstream (aliexpress) which, with a computer, allows me to do 100% of what any Toyota Dealer can do with the available system. The downside is portability.
A ~$20 BAFX bluetooth/OBD adapter (was supposed to be the best "cheap" option) combined with Torque or the $10 Torque Pro does nearly everything the Techstream software can do, and everything more normal people care about (monitoring what little can be monitored, clearing codes) on this vehicle. It falls down when you get into vehicles with CANBUS systems.
A ~$200 all vehicles CANBUS adapter that works with any given vehicles diagnostic software (like Techstream). I bought this for my two other vehicles, which are both riddled with CANBUS and forgot about it when I'd ordered the Techstream cable ~ though the cheap cable is easier to use.
There's not a whole lot to monitor on the 3rd Gen 4runners, this is absolutely Everything (via Techstream):
If you have a smartphone, just buy one that works with that. You're not going to gain anything over a $3 ELM unit by spending $100+ on a Bluedrive unit (for this vehicle). Ditto with the ODBLink unit ~ it's marketing in most cases, with Maybe some CANBUS functionality via a smartphone for a few.
SilverRidgeRunner1
Member
I anything OTC . I find them make some top notch scan tools.
NissanTechJake
Member
A good scan tool to keep in the vehicle is a launch CRP129E.
This can be snagged for close to $200 and it’s not like a lot of scan tools that you sift through manufacturer specific questions it can complete a VIN read and goes into the manufacturer specific scan.
Additionally it has good live data and graphing capabilities which are a must for a lot of diagnostic approaches.
Hope that’s helpful.
This can be snagged for close to $200 and it’s not like a lot of scan tools that you sift through manufacturer specific questions it can complete a VIN read and goes into the manufacturer specific scan.
Additionally it has good live data and graphing capabilities which are a must for a lot of diagnostic approaches.
Hope that’s helpful.
I have a bluedriver, and it is excellent. I use it for scanning non-GM vehicles that come through work. With that being said it is overkill for our generation 4Runner. Stick with a cheapie bluetooth obd2 reader and app unless you want to monitor data constantly then look into something like a scangauge 2 or ultragauge.