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Reading Your Car's Computer with an Actron OBD II AutoScanner

To most of us, the Check Engine light is about as mysterious as a black hole. Not only is the reason behind it coming on so vague, but diagnosing the issue will ultimately hit each of us in the wallet before it is resolved.

To help us keep our sanity and some green in our wallet, Actron created the OBD II AutoScanner. Designed to retrieve the error codes that are causing the Check Engine light to turn on the OBD II AutoScanner works with all 1994 and newer OBD II compliant vehicles.

Company:

Actron, www.actron.com

Price:

$179.99 US

Ratings

Price:
Install/Setup:
Usability:
Support:
Average Rating:

Pros:

• Diagnose any OBD II compliant vehicle
• Included software that contains 3000+ DTCs
• Test Emissions with the I/M Monitor Feature
• Slim Design

Cons:

• Update instructions not documented
• Price may be out of reach of some

Getting Started

Diagnosing with the OBD II AutoScanner is easy as Actron had the home user in mind. There are no messy cables to hookup or any complicated steps in order to diagnose your car. Rather the simplicity of finding the Diagnostic Link Connector and connecting the AutoScanner. Once everything is connected, turning on the AutoScanner is as simple as turning the ignition key to the "ON" position as it is powered by the vehicle's battery. Within a few moments, the AutoScanner OBD II is ready to retrieve any codes that are stored in your vehicles' computer.

One of the great features of this scanner is a function called I/M Readiness. This function allows you to scan your emission system before being tested. After connecting the scanner to your car and driving for a specific amount of time, the scanner will report whether your car's emissions are working correctly. This feature allows you to know of any changes that needs to been done before an official test. Saving you time and money.

Included with the Actron AutoScanner OBD II is a multilingual manual with an excellent glossary full of terms to help you with any problems. Also included is a software CD that contains over 3,000 Diagnostic Troubleshooting Codes (DTCs) with descriptions so you do not have to track down what the codes mean.

Usability

Recently, the Check Engine light in my fiancés' 2002 Neon appeared with no apparent reason to why. Her car still ran fine and did not exhibit any problems. At first we ignored the light, but after a while it just became annoying. Calling around to the local mechanic shops we were appalled to find out that it would cost as much as $80 dollars just to diagnosis the error! Quickly realizing that I had just received the Actron AutoScanner OBD II, I seamlessly hooked it up the car and received an error code. With this code I referenced the DTCs on the included CD and found that the 0₂ Sensor was malfunctioning.

With the Actron AutoScanner I was able to determine why the Check Engine light was on without it hitting me in the pocket. The cost to diagnosis the problem by a mechanic is nearly half the MSRP price of the AutoScanner OBD II and will definitely pay for itself as time goes on.

The AutoScanner OBD II apparently has the ability to be updated for use with future vehicles, but unfortunately I am unable to determine how this is accomplished as there are no other communication ports other than the Direct Link Connector. All that I can assume it that the user must send their scanner into Actron for an update.

Actron OBD II AutoScanner CP9135 Specifications

• Reads and erases Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and turns off check engine light
  
• Retrieves all Generic OBD II trouble codes (P0), their definitions and pending codes
  
• Enables user to quickly and easily link to their vehicle
  
• Large easy-to-read LCD screen provides the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and their descriptions
  
• Extremely user friendly menu provides:
  
  • Monitor Status and I/M Readiness to determine if vehicle is ready for an emissions test. I/M Readiness is an excellent function to use prior to having a vehicle inspected for compliance to a state emissions program
    
  • All emission testing facilities will fail a vehicle which has the "check engine light" lit at the time of the test
    
  • Alerts user to any pending Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), and reads Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) status
    
  • Menu-driven interface combined with "hot keys" for Read and Erase functions for quick and easy use
• Includes CD software that contains an additional 3,000+ Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and their descriptions
  
• Tool is updateable, accommodating future vehicles
  
• Attached OBD II 16-pin connector cable provides both data and power connections
  
• 1 year warranty
  
• 8 ft. cable, rugged housing, oil and grease resistant
  
• Assembled in the USA

Adding It All Up

As the number of cars on the road that are newer than 1994 grows, the need of a diagnosis tool increases. By having an Actron AutoScanner OBD II scanner in your toolbox, your ability to identify the reason behind any error code allows you to save time and wasted energy. With the money you would spend on having a mechanic's shop diagnose your vehicle twice, you can own this scanner and be able to help others the with their vehicle plights.

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