From: Guy on
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.
From: FatterDumber& Happier Moe on
Guy 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.

I was looking at these the other day, someday I'm going to get around
to getting a scanner. This one looked like it might (I say might)be a
decent deal. You have to use a laptop with it or take it to a computer,
but it has some bells and whistles that look interesting.
http://www.obdcom.com/?gclid=CMCmiIOR6p4CFRPxDAodPkiTMA
I am curious as to what others use or advise to buy for a scanner.
From: Ray O on

"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.

All 1996 model year and later vehicles sold in the U.S. comply with the OBD
II standard so at the very least, get an OBD II scanner. One that is CAN
compliant is more versatile and not necessarily more expensive so get one
with CAN.

The scanner plugs into the diagnostic connector under the driver's side of
the dashboard. The connector is shaped like the old parallel printer cable
connectors.

The good thing about the OBD II standard is that it is very easy to read
codes. The bad thing about the OBD II standard is that people mistakenly
assume that if a trouble code points to a particular component, that the
component is bad and should be replaced, which is not always the case.

All of the OBD II scanners I've seen will at least read and display a
numeric trouble code and will clear diagnostic trouble codes ("DTC").

Once you have the DTC's, you need to check the component and control
circuits for the component. Unless you are very familiar with how each
component and the circuits related to that component work, you probably need
a repair manual to
properly diagnose the cause of the DTC.

Some more sophisticated scanners can display the actual values that each
component generates so it is not always necessary to get out a volt/ohm
meter. This is a handy feature but scanners that can display sensor values
are generally pretty expensive, and for this feature to be useful, you have
to be able to interpret what you are reading. For example, you have to know
whether a reading of .5 volts from an O2 sensor is good or bad.

I have an Actron basic scanner and while it is adequate for my needs, it
would be handy to be able to read sensor values so I don't have to crawl
under the car to hook up a meter.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)




From: Ray O on

"FatterDumber& Happier Moe" <"WheresMyCheck"@UncleSamLoves.Mee> wrote in
message news:4b30c980$0$5349$bbae4d71(a)news.suddenlink.net...
> Guy 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.
>
> I was looking at these the other day, someday I'm going to get around to
> getting a scanner. This one looked like it might (I say might)be a decent
> deal. You have to use a laptop with it or take it to a computer, but it
> has some bells and whistles that look interesting.
> http://www.obdcom.com/?gclid=CMCmiIOR6p4CFRPxDAodPkiTMA
> I am curious as to what others use or advise to buy for a scanner.

See my response to the OP.

As far as what to get for a scanner, the answer depends on your
understanding of how the OBD II systems works and how it relates to the
function of the vehicle.

As an analogy, think of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and the
type of defibrillator used in a hospital or by paramedics. An AED can
deliver a shock to a heart attack patient, but a more sophisticated
defibrillator can be used for a 12-lead EKG, the operator can control how
many Joules are delivered, and the device can also be used in pacemaker
mode.

An OBD II scanner with all the bells an whistles is nice if you know how to
interpret the information it puts out.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)


From: aarcuda69062 on
In article <Xns9CEA60C55C34Ftegger(a)208.90.168.18>,
Tegger <invalid(a)invalid.inv> wrote:

> 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.

Egg-zactly.

They don't know what they don't know.
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