Cars have become nothing short of computers on four wheels. The on board diagnostics or simply OBD2, introduced in car models as from 1996, has made it a necessity for every car owner to learn about car diagnostic tools.
OBD2 scanners are one of the many diagnostic tools that you can use to know what’s troubling your vehicle. The OBD2 scanner is the standard software that has been mandated by PA for use for all vehicles with an on board diagnostic software. This scanner can monitor the ignition system and auto transmission in modern fuel injected automobiles.
BlueDriver® is a Premium Diagnostic OBD2 Scan Tool. It is used by professional mechanics, auto enthusiasts, and everyday vehicle owners who want to know more about how their vehicle is operating and how their vehicle can be fixed if the Check Engine Light comes on.
How does the OBD2 Work?
The OBD2 in the simplest language is a kind of monitor sensor that is able to gather data from a car’s engine and also other systems. The monitor can send different commands to the fuel injectors and to the different systems in the vehicles to measure things like crankshaft and camshaft position, air and coolant temperature, engine rpm, road speed, and throttle opening among others.
The OBD2 is a sophisticated software with so many self-checks to monitor and regulate the functioning of your car and in so doing maintain its good health for the longest time possible. This scanner can even self-correct the vehicles ignition and fuel mixture at every crankshaft revolution. You however need to have an OBD2 scanner to interpret the results from the monitor.
Background on the OBD2 Scanner and its application
Most people enjoy having an OBD2 scanner even when they have no idea of what it does or what to do when the scanner gives them an error. That’s why it’s common to find people panic stricken when there’s a malfunction in the car. It’s as if they always expect that with an OBD2 nothing should ever go wrong with the vehicle.
The first indication of a malfunction is an ignited “check engine light” on the dash. This light, in the OBD2 standard language, is also called a malfunction indicator light (MIL). When that light is on it means there is a certain sensor in the car that has sent an error message to the powertrain control module (PCM) which it can’t decode.
So the PCM is really the one that will illuminate the MIL to warn you that’s there’s something wrong with the vehicle, although even when this warning comes your vehicle will normally still be running well. In fact, the only other thing that might indicate some kind of trouble with your vehicle is maybe an increase in the fuel consumption and power loss.
The PCM will store a diagnostic “trouble code”. This is what technicians normally checked for using different scan tools to know exactly where the problem with the vehicle is.
The OBD2 scan tool was previously only available to professional technicians mainly due to it’s high price. Luckily, the prices became more affordable for ordinary car owners to be able to purchase them.
Today you can purchase an OBD2 scanner model for as cheap as $20 for an extremely basic scanner that will only show trouble codes, to about $4000 for an OBD2 scanner with full features, upgradable gadget with a computer interface and that accepts the use of multiple languages.
Using an OBD2 Scanner
Using an OBD-II scanner doesn’t require any wizardry, gifts or talents. The process is pretty simple, and while different models may give slightly varying instructions, the following is a general process that most models follow.
- Turn off your vehicle and plug the OBD2 scanner into the standard OBD II data link connector which can be located under the dashboard on the driver’s side, the left side of the staring wheel. The end of the cable will normally have a 16-pin plug that should give a perfect fit into the cars outlet.
- Turn on the ignition key or run the car, whichever is in the manual, and give time for the scanner to initialize. Some scanner models will need you to press a power button for them to begin the initialization process. Again, it’s important to have the OBD2 scanner manual for the specific scanner so you’re sure.
- When the scanner indicates that it’s ready, key in all the data that is required. This will mostly include the type, model and make of the engine, VIN and others. You can then initiate a ‘read’ or ‘scan’ of the vehicles diagnostic system. Again for initiating the scanning, some scanner models will have a button for that while there are others that will demand that you go through a series of manuals.
- Once the auto scanner completes the scanning process, it will give you a diagnostic trouble code or several codes. You can either write these down, transfer them to your laptop using a USB cable or Bluetooth if your scanner is Bluetooth compatible.
- You can then check these DTC codes in the manual to understand what your car is suffering from. Most manuals will only show the basic codes but if you need more enhanced codes you can check for these on the internet because there are vehicle models that will normally have a supplemental set of codes online.
- When you have finished recording the error codes, turn off the vehicles ignition and then carefully unplug the OBD2 scanner.
Be Careful When Using the OBD 2 Scanner for Diagnostics Reading
When connecting the OBD-II scanner cable to the data link connector, be extremely gentle. This is because the 16 pins in the plug are extremely delicate and you can easily bend the pins or crack the plastic around the plug if you push too hard.
Always turn the ignition on or have the car running according to the instructions in the manual. Failure to do this might corrupt the scanning software.
It’s also very important that you drive around with the manual for the specific scanner model that you’re using. Fortunately you don’t have to carry a manual copy as you can simply download a softcopy one from the internet and have it on your phone, or carry along the CD-ROM copy of the manual. Most scanners will normally come with both a CD and a paper copy of the manual.
Inspection and Maintenance Menu
Once you’ve reset the MIL, the scanner will give you another option for inspection and readiness. What happens normally is that the PMC will normally be checking your vehicle to ensure that the fault has been corrected once you begin to drive it. The time duration in which you need to drive your car for the PCM to record readiness is mostly dependent on specific vehicle models.
It’s important that once you have interpreted the codes given by the OBD2 scanner tool, you immediately correct the fault or have your car looked at by a mechanic who will be able to correct the fault.
You should then turn the OBD 2 scanner again for I/M readiness. This is important because in the event that your car goes for an inspection at the DMV or an independent station, the technician will normally test for I/M readiness using their own scan tool. You certainly won’t get a sticker if your car fails to pass the test.
View Data Menu
Authentic and quality OBD 2 scanners will normally also have another menu for “view data”. This one lets you into the actual numbers being read by the PCM.
You can view data on oxygen-sensor functionality, rpm and engine load, and air and water temperature, among other potential trouble areas for your vehicle.
With this information it’s easier to know the problem with the vehicle and to determine if it’s worth attempting to fix it on your own to save money or if you need professional input for a more permanent solution.
If you have a pro-grade OBD2 scanner model, you will also have a graphics function. This is normally what technicians use to check several parameters while the engine is on.
If you understand how to read the graphs you have more advantage as it will be easy for you to diagnose the problem without the help of a technician.
Is There A Difference Between “OBD2 Reader” and “OBD2 Scanner”?
Most people confuse a code reader with a scan tool. Code readers are mostly less expensive and are used for simpler functions than OBD2 scanners. They’re able to shut off the MIL light and to read basic codes, but will mostly not offer any greater value.
Code readers are more ideal for trouble codes that are of a more “generic” nature. They are however nor capable of reading enhance codes or OEM which are mostly specific to vehicles. Generic codes are also known as P0 codes, while the enhance codes are called the P1 codes. Enhanced codes mostly change depending on the model year and should be regularly replaced or updated.
The reason why it’s important that you purchase the OBD2 scanning tool instead of a reader is because the scanner can read both codes. There are certain types of faults in vehicles that will set a P0 code and not a P1 code or vice versa. Unless you’re able to read both codes it can be difficult for you to make the right diagnosis for your vehicle.
Also, unlike code readers, scanners are capable of also displaying the readiness status of the car’s OBD2 system monitors. I/M readiness are self-checks that the OBD2 will run to ensure that the vehicle is operating efficiently and that the error code has been cleared.
There are monitors that run each time the car is started while there are those that will only run under certain conditions of operation.
For example the evaporative emissions system monitor (EVAP monitor) also known as the “loose gas cap monitor” will run after a refilling session.
This checks for vapor leaks and may turn on the MIL or “check engine light” when after refilling the cap is left off or not well tightened. This will set the error codes P0440, P0442 or P0445. Another example of a monitor that will run only occasionally is the catalyst monitor that checks the catalytic converter’s efficiency.
The Check engine light will normally be turned off when the monitor senses a drop in efficiency.
What’s the importance of knowing about the readiness status? The readiness status is mostly what is checked at the DMVs office to confirm that your vehicle is in emissions compliance.
This means that if no codes are set (translates to no trouble found) after all the monitors have been run, then your vehicle is running clean and will pass an OBDII plug-in emissions test or a tailpipe smog check.
With a code reader you can easily clear codes and turn off the “check engine” light, but you will however not be able to check for readiness and may fail to get a sticker in case your vehicle finds itself at the DMV’s office.
Ask for Help If You Don’t Understand a Code Given By an OBD2 Scanner
It’s important to have your boundaries set right when it comes to what you can do with your OBD2 scanner.
Most professional mechanics warn that the trouble codes, normally listed as P0 or P1, are not the actual diagnosis of the vehicle. Unless you’re able to decode the error, it’s important that you have your vehicle looked at by a professional.
The trouble code P0131 for example is a general sensor code. What most people will think of doing when they get this code is to install a new sensor with the hope that this will clear the error and turn off the MIL lights. The bad sensor could also trigger a P0301 misfire code.
Sometimes you could have misdiagnosed this trouble code and a new oxygen sensor together with a new sensor socket may not solve the problem. You will know that the problem was not comprehensively solved if after a small spike in the rotational speed of the crankshaft the MIL lights are turned on again.
Don’t attempt to give the same solution that has seemingly failed to an error code that keeps coming on. There are modern vehicle engines and onboard control systems that can only be easily understood by a professional who understands it.
So unless you have the right tools and training to solve a problem, it is wise to have your vehicle checked at the vehicle repair shop. The good thing is that since you will have already identified the problem using your OBD2 scanner, you will know the kind of service you want.
Most professional repair shops will actually give you a discount if you know exactly what needs to be fixed since this will save them a lot of time scanning the OBD2 and reading the codes.
Like a majority of vehicle owners, you will mostly only know how to flush out your car’s radiator or perform a simple oil change. Making an attempt at more complex tasks for example replacing a timing belt when you neither have the tools nor the know-how might just plunge you vehicle into more problems and have it grounded until a professional mechanic can work on it.
Purchase the right OBD2 Scanner
There are lots of OBD2 scanner models in the market. It’s important that you choose the ones with quality standards so that you can maximize their function. Also when shopping around for OBD2 scanners, it’s important that you check one that is compatible with your vehicles onboard diagnostics tool.
Investing in a quality OBD2 scanner is something that you should not debate on. This is because the scanner will save you so much money that it will quickly return back the money you invested in it and even give you profits.
In fact, with a quality OB2 scanner, sufficient knowledge in mechanics, and proper automotive tools, you will be able to save 70 percent plus of money that you would have used on vehicle checks and repair.
There will of course still be specific circumstances that will force you to seek the services of a professional mechanic, but since you will have control over your automobile, these incidences will be greatly reduced.
Tips for Purchasing an OBD2 Scanner
If you’ve made the decision of purchasing an OBD2 scanner then it’s just proper that you purchase an advanced gadget. Apart from the compatibility of the scanner to your vehicles on board diagnostics, the first thing you want to look at is the latest technology in the scanner.
An advanced OBD2 scanner will be very efficient in informing you about the several critical mechanics like service light system, conditioning control, airbag control, and transmission control among others.
Having this information will help you keep your car in good condition and avoid unnecessary calls to the repair shop.
Another factor to put under consideration when shopping around for an OBD2 scanner is how user-friendly the interface is.
A user friendly interface will make it easy for you to operate the device. It’s not really that the interface should be complicated.
A scanner with an interface that’s easy to understand but gives information to entail is actually more ideal.
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If you have a decent working knowledge of cars, you probably already know that there’s no real substitute for the car diagnostic tools that professional diagnostic technicians have at their disposal. Those tools typically consist of something like a Snap-on MODIS and a whole lot of prior experience diagnosing similar problems. However, technology has come a long way in recent years, and there are ways for a determined do-it-yourselfer to save some money using the right code readers.
Getting at the Codes
The simplest scan tools are OBD-II code readers, and they may be what your local parts store tries to sell or rent to you. This type of scan tool tends to be affordable, and it can get you on the right track, but knowing the trouble code is only the first step in a potentially long and complicated diagnostic process.
Live Data Streaming
To be a really useful car diagnostic tool, a scanner should be able to interface with the car’s computer and display live data. Some scan tools are only designed to show a long list of all the available data values, while others allow you to pull specific parameter IDs (PIDs) and create a custom list. That can be tremendously useful during the diagnostic process because it allows you to watch for problems during a test drive.
You can find decent scanners that perform those functions for under a hundred dollars, although the cheapest option may be an ELM 327 scanner. These scanners plug into your OBD2 port and use an ELM 327 microcontroller to interface the computer in your car with a phone, tablet, or laptop via either a wireless or USB connection. If you have one of those devices already, then you can buy premium ELM 327 software and still spend well under the price of a traditional scanner.
The Best Car Diagnostic Tools Include Diagnostic Procedures
The one thing that all affordable code readers and scan tools lack is the knowledge base that the best car diagnostic tools like the MODIS come with. In addition to pulling codes and displaying data in a highly efficient manner, professional scanners also provide technicians with diagnostic procedures to follow to get to the root of a problem. In some cases, that includes specific procedures to test whether various components are in working order, which is the only way to avoid the 'throw parts at it' method of car repair. Most good shops also have access to programs like Mitchell and Alldata that also provide invaluable diagnostic flow charts and testing procedures.
Professional diagnostic technicians also have a wealth of personal experience to draw on, and no affordable car diagnostic tool is going to provide that or the diagnostic procedures you get from a tool like a MODIS or software like Alldata. That doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. The internet has proven to be a leveler in the field of automotive diagnostics. There are a variety of free and paid services available that you can use in conjunction with an affordable scan tool, such as an ELM 327 scanner, to diagnose your check engine light.
The key thing to remember is that if you’re experiencing a problem with your car, somebody else has probably experienced it before and has probably posted about it on the internet.