AutoXray 6000 EZ-Scan Works Well.
Ignore the idiots who want to count check engine light flashes or volt meter sweeps. Pro mechanics/ Techs use digital meters primarily anyway.
This is a great scanner for the money. If you want to just find out a code number go to a local auto parts store where they will scan the codes for free. If you want the code and the definition you need a real scanner, a data scanner. I love that this inexpensive, easy and quick to use scanner will read codes, define codes, clear codes but more importantly it records 'Freeze Frame' data as to what was going on when the code set. It very importantly displays live data. For you non-pros that means this little device will tell you what your vehicle knows and is monitoring as it is happening. Not every problem sets a code and not every code that is set means a part has to be replaced. I am an ASE Master with 34 years professional experience. I regularly use a Snap-On Modis I paid over $4,000 for and costs over $1,000 to update, This Auto X-Ray scanner does a great deal and I use it more often the Modis. It also has a battery tester utility that is identical to the one most professional shops and dealerships use. There is also a built in digital volt meter built right in. There are free updates available for download as well as affordable upgrades.
I've had mine for almost 4 years now and have no complaints. I have dropped it and abused it and it keeps working great. The battery seems to last a real long time too.
If you need more than a code number or are a young mechanic trying to accumulate tools, this is a great investment.
Ask a Professional
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
AutoXray EZ-Scan 6000 Awesome tool for a great price.
AutoXray EZ-Scan 6000 Awesome tool for a great price.
I read through some of the reviews on this product and one in particular mentioned you could get the same information for six bucks.
That's true, for 6 dollars you can jumper two connections on an ODB I car (95 or older). The early ODB system could tell you what code was being thrown but very little else. Can you jumper two connections and get the same information with an ODB II car? No. You cannot do meter sweeps on a ODB II car, to read the trouble code, you need a scan tool.
This tool can read trouble codes and do a lot more. I purchased this tool because I've been having on and off misfire problems on a 1997 Camaro. I didn't know which cylinder was misfiring and honestly, if the check engine light wasn't on, I wouldn't have even noticed a problem. I hooked the scan tool up to the car, and the trouble code was P0300 - Random misfire.
To the average person, a random misfire means just that, every cylinder is intermittently misfiring. Yes, if this were an ODB I car, a jumper would have told me that much information. Smart troubleshooting would have you test the ignition coils or the fuel system. If the misfire is not contained on a specific cylinder, then it may indicate a system wide issue.
This is where the scan tool paid for itself. Instead of throwing parts at the car I was able to look at the vehicle data, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of data I had access to. I could see the misfire counts for each cylinder. Every cylinder had less than 10, except cylinder 5 which had over 5000 misfires. I traced the problem back to a bad spark pug wire on #5 that had be rubbing against the headers I had just installed.
The trouble code was misleading, and instead of spending my time under and over the car looking at the fuel system and ignition system, I spent 5 minutes diagnosing the problem.
I have a background in automotive diagnosis and have a degree in Automotive Service Technology. The scan tools we used in school cost over $1000 and were manufacturer specific. This tool doesn't give you as much information as those did, but for the average DIY mechanic, this tool is perfect. If you're looking for a tool to just scan a code, and nothing else... buy something cheaper.
If you're looking for a scan tool that can assist you in diagnosing and fixing emission related problems, this is the scan tool for you. You may not use it every day of your life, but when you do need it, it will get the job done.
I read through some of the reviews on this product and one in particular mentioned you could get the same information for six bucks.
That's true, for 6 dollars you can jumper two connections on an ODB I car (95 or older). The early ODB system could tell you what code was being thrown but very little else. Can you jumper two connections and get the same information with an ODB II car? No. You cannot do meter sweeps on a ODB II car, to read the trouble code, you need a scan tool.
This tool can read trouble codes and do a lot more. I purchased this tool because I've been having on and off misfire problems on a 1997 Camaro. I didn't know which cylinder was misfiring and honestly, if the check engine light wasn't on, I wouldn't have even noticed a problem. I hooked the scan tool up to the car, and the trouble code was P0300 - Random misfire.
To the average person, a random misfire means just that, every cylinder is intermittently misfiring. Yes, if this were an ODB I car, a jumper would have told me that much information. Smart troubleshooting would have you test the ignition coils or the fuel system. If the misfire is not contained on a specific cylinder, then it may indicate a system wide issue.
This is where the scan tool paid for itself. Instead of throwing parts at the car I was able to look at the vehicle data, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of data I had access to. I could see the misfire counts for each cylinder. Every cylinder had less than 10, except cylinder 5 which had over 5000 misfires. I traced the problem back to a bad spark pug wire on #5 that had be rubbing against the headers I had just installed.
The trouble code was misleading, and instead of spending my time under and over the car looking at the fuel system and ignition system, I spent 5 minutes diagnosing the problem.
I have a background in automotive diagnosis and have a degree in Automotive Service Technology. The scan tools we used in school cost over $1000 and were manufacturer specific. This tool doesn't give you as much information as those did, but for the average DIY mechanic, this tool is perfect. If you're looking for a tool to just scan a code, and nothing else... buy something cheaper.
If you're looking for a scan tool that can assist you in diagnosing and fixing emission related problems, this is the scan tool for you. You may not use it every day of your life, but when you do need it, it will get the job done.
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