I have the cheap red amazon diag tool but I would like something on par with what the manual recommends for use during troubleshooting. It looks like a lot of people use the scangauge II. Before I drop $160, does anyone have any better alternative. Price isn't that big of an issues. Not trying to drop more than $500.
Recommend a scan tool for me?
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MarkamisPrime
New member
Do you want a code reader or a scan tool cause there's a difference
You can actually get something pretty good from O'riellys
I have both but my scan tool cost me $1200
You can actually get something pretty good from O'riellys
I have both but my scan tool cost me $1200
I need a scan tool. I'm look a tool that would display a/f, fuel trim, trans temp, and any other fun metrics that my vehicle currently monitors.
JayRolla
New member
Your phone and TQ app will do tall that.
MarkamisPrime
New member
Yeah your phone
Or
That's scan gauge II that some people run from what I've read it works really well.
I guess you'll just have to ask someone who is actually running it.
infamousRNR
Senior Member
Scangauge II works great for me. I got mine for $90 from this very forum.
If you have a 99+, you can program it to read trans temp... which to me is the only thing really worth monitoring. I have some other vitals showing like engine temp...but I focus on my trans temp the most.
AntleredRuin
New member
I use this and the Torque app
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014MTAYK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works great and can do all you requested. There is also the Torque Dashboard app as well, which is a free add-on for the main app. It lets gauges show on your main screen, not just in the app interface itself. Useful if you use your phone as a GPS and also want to view some info. I keep my average MPGs and coolant temps up all the time with it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014MTAYK0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works great and can do all you requested. There is also the Torque Dashboard app as well, which is a free add-on for the main app. It lets gauges show on your main screen, not just in the app interface itself. Useful if you use your phone as a GPS and also want to view some info. I keep my average MPGs and coolant temps up all the time with it.
code reader option
I'm using Dash Command with a cheap Amazon wireless OBDII reader and it has an impressive array of features!
DashCommand - Palmer Performance Engineering, Inc.
I'm using Dash Command with a cheap Amazon wireless OBDII reader and it has an impressive array of features!
DashCommand - Palmer Performance Engineering, Inc.
Kanoe
New member
I know we each prefer our own, but considering the price I REALLY like the ultra-guage. I have a 5spd. so don't need the trans temp. If you don't either have a look at it.
DK327
Member
I also have a ScanGauge II to mostly monitor vehicle vitals but recently my ABS light illuminated on dash after installing LED tail lights due to voltage drop and also my 3rd brake light being out. I tried to scan for codes and it should have caught the ABS light on dash but it didn't?! Now this makes me question what else it's not catching that it's supposed to...
LittleCaesar
New member
If you want only to use this for Toyota, just get the TIS Techstream software off the web...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbFo04_67pQ
You need an OLD laptop that runs 7 I believe....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbFo04_67pQ
You need an OLD laptop that runs 7 I believe....
TheDurk
Elite Member
I have it working. At the time I set it up, it had to be XP.
LittleCaesar
New member
That is right, my bad. :doh:
Hoffie
New member
I have the Ultra-gauge in my vehicle. I like it because I can see up to 8 different parameters at a time and it cost less than the Scan GaugeII. It will alarm me when something is not working, tell me the number and description of the code and with a push of a button it is gone.
Buckaroo
Member
The basic scanners only read ecm related powertrain codes...more sophisticated scanners include communication with other modules like the ABS. Suspect there is nothing wrong with your Scanguage II - just how it works.
I have been running the ElmScan5 on my laptop for many years which also doesn't communicate with other modules like the ABS...it has been superseded by the OBDLink SX which goes for ~$30 -https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-sx/ . I have been able to do everything needed so far with this in combination with my multimeter. I will need to upgrade soon to get bidirectional control which is not needed for the 3rd gen T4R but will be necessary for my 2017 Camry. Have been looking at AutoEnginuity with the Asian Bundle for $800 - https://www.aeswave.com/AutoEnginuity-ASIAN-Bundle-p8771.html (have Mazda's & Honda's, too) or perhaps just go to the Mongoose/Toyota Techstream Lite for $480 - https://www.aeswave.com/MongoosePro-Toyota-2-p8810.html plus the Toyota TIS subscription for $1100/yr or, more likely for me, $55/2 days as needed - https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_pageLabel=ti_whats_tis&_nfpb=true . I know there are knock-off clones out there but I am thinking that I would want the OEM version to make sure that the reflashing worked....open to other suggestions. Again, this would certainly work with the 3rd gen but is a bit over the top IMHO...
Buckaroo
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