Want a diagnostic tool? Check these out

Published 12:00 am Sunday, June 5, 2016

Q: What do you think about the cheap auto scanner modules that hook up with your phone? You often write about the advantages of having a scanner for checking diagnostic trouble codes.

A: Let me start by saying new equipment springs up all the time, and if anyone has suggestions for useful devices I haven’t mentioned, I’d be happy to share the information.

An inexpensive onboard diagnostic code reader, or better yet, an onboard diagnostic scan tool is a useful tool for the do-it-yourself car enthusiast.

A very basic, self-contained code reader that will retrieve codes and clear them can be found for as little as $10.

Another option is the Elm-327 interface you mentioned, for about the same price. These connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone. One can then search from several inexpensive apps to view codes, clear them and observe limited live vehicle information.

These gadgets work, but I’ve found their interfaces to be sometimes erratic, and the available apps are worth their $5 price but not much more.

Other options include a full-featured onboard diagnostic scan tool such as the AutoLink AL319 for about $60 or it’s more capable sibling, the AL419, for about $100. These do a really nice job providing codes, freeze frame data, code clearing, inspection readiness and live vehicle data. Check out aeswave.com for detailed descriptions and a variety of scan tool and other diagnostic equipment choices.

After tangling scan tool cables about my knees for the past 30 years and replacing obsolete hardware, I like the idea of a robust wireless interface that can plug into the data link connector and communicate more professionally with my smartphone or tablet, which have significantly nicer displays than most inexpensive scan tools.

I recently tested such a device called the Blue Driver. This is a tiny Bluetooth interface device that plugs into the under-dash data link connector and uses well-designed software that’s downloaded to your personal device. I found the setup to be easy and the pairing to be much more reliable than the Elm 327 devices. The Blue Driver software is easy to navigate, friendly enough for a vehicle owner as well as techie enough for a professional technician looking for convenient onboard diagnostic information and domestic air bag, transmission enhanced codes.

Beyond code definitions, it lists possible causes and frequent reported fixes as well as mode 6 info (this is techie test results, understood by a pro).

Another surprise I found was when I selected “vehicle information,” is that it brought up an impressive amount of coverage for recalls, maintenance intervals, service bulletins and specifications for that particular vehicle.

I particularly like how the inspection readiness monitors are listed and any reasons why an emissions test is or isn’t going to be successful. The live data display includes a bar graph, which is useful, although it could use a little higher resolution.

Of all of the $100 and under scan tool devices that I have looked at, I preferred the Blue Driver for its reliable cordless interface, use of my display hardware and consumer/technician-friendly software.