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From: aarcuda69062 on 23 Dec 2009 08:45
In article <Xns9CEA232EB2805tegger(a)208.90.168.18>,
Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote:

> aarcuda69062 <nonelson(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote in
> news:nonelson-7616B4.20320022122009(a)nothing.attdns.com:
>
> > In article <Xns9CE9C321C3714tegger(a)208.90.168.18>,
> > Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote:
> >
> >> aarcuda69062 <nonelson(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote in
> >> news:nonelson-BA4D33.16503722122009(a)nothing.attdns.com:
> >>
> >> > In article <8td1j5du2e2n4iq75g1mk6kins00r1lki1(a)4ax.com>,
> >> > "Guy" <void(a)void.com> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> I'm thinking of buying a scanner for my 2004 Corolla but also what
> >> >> to be able to use it on any newer Toyotas I might buy. Any
> >> >> recommendations for a non-mechanic ?
> >> >>
> >> >> Also, on the 2004 Corolla, where will this plug in? Thanks.
> >> >
> >> > Best?
> >> >
> >> > https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/staticcontent/en/techinfo
> >> > /html/pr elogin/docs/ts/tsprodinfosheet.pdf
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Funny guy.
> >>
> >> How about "best for the price a home user can afford"?
> >>
> >> ScanGauge II? Autotap? Other?
> >
> > https://techinfo.toyota.com:443/techInfoPortal/staticcontent/en/techinf
> > o/ html/prelogin/docs/tsliteflyertinfo.pdf
> >
> > The home user probably needs all the help he can get. ;-)
>
>
>
> $1,345!!!

One sixth the cost of the full Techstream. What a bargain!

>
> You'd have to be one REALLY dedicated "home user" to spend that kinda
> dough!

The obstacle here is not the cost of the tool, it's the understanding of
what is required to repair a modern vehicle.
From: Tegger on 23 Dec 2009 09:31
aarcuda69062 <nonelson(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:nonelson-77B30F.07454323122009(a)nothing.attdns.com:

> In article <Xns9CEA232EB2805tegger(a)208.90.168.18>,
> Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote:
>

>>
>> You'd have to be one REALLY dedicated "home user" to spend that kinda
>> dough!
>
> The obstacle here is not the cost of the tool, it's the understanding
> of what is required to repair a modern vehicle.




What you seem to be saying is that, unless the home user is willing to buy
the $1,345 tool, invest thousands more dollars and hundreds of hours on
training, and uses the resulting knowledge often enough that he doesn't
forget it, there's no point in him even attempting engine-control
diagnostics and repair on a modern car.

--
Tegger

From: Tegger on 23 Dec 2009 15:21
aarcuda69062 <nonelson(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:nonelson-3380F4.09100623122009(a)news.eternal-september.org:

> In article <Xns9CEA60C55C34Ftegger(a)208.90.168.18>,
> Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote:
>

>>
>> What you seem to be saying is that, unless the home user is willing
>> to buy the $1,345 tool, invest thousands more dollars and hundreds of
>> hours on training, and uses the resulting knowledge often enough that
>> he doesn't forget it, there's no point in him even attempting
>> engine-control diagnostics and repair on a modern car.
>
> Egg-zactly.
>
> They don't know what they don't know.



That damn well sucks, I say.

Seems like pretty much all the home grease monkey can do is buy a quality
vehicle, and then maintain it by-the-book or better, preferably with OEM
parts and materials.


--
Tegger

From: Jeff Strickland on 24 Dec 2009 12:19

"Guy" <void(a)void.com> wrote in message
news:8td1j5du2e2n4iq75g1mk6kins00r1lki1(a)4ax.com...
> I'm thinking of buying a scanner for my 2004 Corolla but also what to
> be able to use it on any newer Toyotas I might buy. Any
> recommendations for a non-mechanic ?
>
> Also, on the 2004 Corolla, where will this plug in? Thanks.


OBD II is a specification, any car that is built to this spec is OBD II
compliant, and the same scan tool can be used.

One part of the spec is a definition on where the data port is to be
located. Generally speaking, an an American-delivered car, the data port is
in the vicinity of where your left leg would be while operating the clutch.
Pretend your car has a clutch pedal, it would be outboard of the brake
pedal, and the data port would be located in plain view along the bottom of
the dash board in that area. THERE IS AN EXCEPTION, the data port can be
behind a cover that is CLEARLY marked as having a data port behind it, and
this cover will be in the driver compartment somewhere near the steering
column.

Another part of the spec is that the connector on the data port be a common
size and shape, so any scan tool can be used on it, and any scan tool can be
used on any car.

All you have to consider is the information that is available and your
ability to use it. This tool is one where as you move up the ladder of price
points, you get progressively more information. If you can do what you need
to do with the cheaper models, then you will be happy. If you have the
skills to understand the real-time displays and other features of the
cost-up models, then you have to consider your pain threshold for the dent
in your debit card. My limited experience is that most of us here will
settle on a mid-scale price point model. I selected a hand held model for
about $150. I get the actual code, P0340, etc., plus the text display of the
associated fault -- Intake Cam Sensor error. Some lower cost units only give
the code, and you have to use another resource to look up the meaning.





From: Jeff Strickland on 24 Dec 2009 12:56

"Tegger" <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote in message
news:Xns9CEA9C2EC2259tegger(a)208.90.168.18...
> aarcuda69062 <nonelson(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote in
> news:nonelson-3380F4.09100623122009(a)news.eternal-september.org:
>
>> In article <Xns9CEA60C55C34Ftegger(a)208.90.168.18>,
>> Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote:
>>
>
>>>
>>> What you seem to be saying is that, unless the home user is willing
>>> to buy the $1,345 tool, invest thousands more dollars and hundreds of
>>> hours on training, and uses the resulting knowledge often enough that
>>> he doesn't forget it, there's no point in him even attempting
>>> engine-control diagnostics and repair on a modern car.
>>
>> Egg-zactly.
>>
>> They don't know what they don't know.
>
>
>
> That damn well sucks, I say.
>
> Seems like pretty much all the home grease monkey can do is buy a quality
> vehicle, and then maintain it by-the-book or better, preferably with OEM
> parts and materials.
>
>

I believe aarcuda69062 is 100% absolutely and undeniably wrong.

I think the vast majority of service work that is needed can be done by a
person at home with a reasonably strong assortment of wrenches and an
understanding of which end to use. Yes, there are jobs that most should
never attempting consider at home, but the vast majority of service that
your car needs is actually pretty easy, especially if the parts needed are
on the outside of the engine.

I'd suggest a hand held scan tool for the vast majority of the participants
on this board, and they run from 80 to 350 dollars, with the mid-range
prices of 150 being the best suited for this crowd. I'd not go with the kind
that need a computer -- they add a level of complexity that I don't think
gives any useful information.

I think I've seen stories of iPhone, or similar, based units. If you've got
an iPhone or Blackberry and need a toy like this, they are probably
something to look into.

I bought my scan tool at Kragen for about $150, and I get real-time data and
fault codes from it. I've used it on a few different cars in the family, and
recovered the cost of owning it already.






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