Advice on buying a OBDII scan tool?

Hi. Ive been getting check engine lights on a fairly frequent basis. I have a K&N FIPK kit, replaced plugs, wires, both O2 sensors, clean MAF sensor, throttle body, fuel filter and cleaned injectors. Truck runs well (most of the time) but does get a intermittent bog with poor fuel mileage. Truck is 03 PreRunner with V6 and Im suspecting the Throttle Body or TPS.
Anyway I was checking OBDII scan tools and found they vary a lot, especially price, and right now money is tight. There is a scan tool for under 40.00, but they go way higher than that.
Question, will the 40.00 tool get me in the right direction to find the problem? I realize, "you get what you pay for" but was hoping to get some feedback on this. I know a lot of 1st-Gen Taco owners have experienced what Im going through, and was hoping for a little advise?
THANKS in advance

 

i can recommend this

$14 Veepeak Mini Bluetooth OBD II Scanner for Android ONLY, Auto Check Engine Light Code Reader Car Diagnostic Scan Tool

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011NSX27A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
i bought it and it did help me figure out the issues i had, I'm not a pro so just getting a read out worked for me.
you can always check your auto parts store and have them read the code for free.

 

I have used this BAFX OBDII bluetooth tool

for Android Phones ONLY - Wireless Bluetooth Diagnostic OBD2 Scanner Car Code Reader and Scan Tool for All 1996 & Newer Vehicles ELM327 Compatible OBDII

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Product...02150893&sr=8-1&keywords=obdii+bluetooth+bafx along with my Android phone and the https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en Torque app for a few years. I have used the BAFX tool with both my Tacoma and wife's Ford. If you run Apple products, I believe you need to buy a OBDII scanner that uses WiFi since Apple doesn't open their BT up enough.
They have helped me diagnose a MAF sensor and O2 sensor. Can't beat the setup for $22 (OBDII tool) and $5 (app).

A little off topic..... one of the best changes I made to my truck was to get rid of the K&N "cold air" intake/filter that was on the truck when I bought it. Throttle response was much more crisp after I found a stock air box to put on it.

 

ive had both aforementioned adapters. the bafx adapter is by far better. but the small blue one still gets the job done just as much, just not as fast. if you're looking for general dianostics and code resetting get the blue one. if you want to monitor voltages and readings in near-real time get the bafx. or just get the bafx since it's not that expensive to begin with and will pay for itself on your first diagnostics repair.

don't forget to get torque app!

also, don't buy a tool from a brick and mortar store. entirely over glorified.

 

$5 China bt obii, torque app for free.

 

I too have the bafx obd2 scanner and the torque app for my phone. i bought the $5 "pro" version, because, well, it was $5 and I be rollin in cash... lol...

Anyhoo, I like it. Actually thinking of getting a 2nd one for my '17 4runner. I've never had a problem connecting, and the app itself is pretty cool, and easy to use. I was bummed when I realized I can't track trans temp in my 4runner, tho.

 

I've been using a wifi scanner from Panlong with an app called OBD Fusion on my iphone and it works well... pretty much the same as what's been stated above, but OBD Fusion I believe is a good alternative to Torque since you can't get Torque on an iphone.

https://www.amazon.com/Panlong-Andr...1502171907&sr=8-2&keywords=panlong+mini+obdii

 

I second the BAFX adapter and torque app. Works great for me.

 

I have an

$99 Autel AL619 OBD2 Scanner, ABS SRS Airbag Warning Light Scan Tool, Turn Off Check Engine Light Car Diagnostic Tool, 10 OBDII Test Modes, Live Data, Freeze Frame, 2024 Upgraded of ML619 AL519

Autel AL619 that I ordered through Amazon. It was less than $100 and it works on all of my Toyota vehicles. On my 2016 Tacoma it pointed out a failing CPS. (Crankshaft Position Sensor) It has also caught a bad TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) and a few O2 sensors. You won't make a living with this scanner but it will help find problems when your MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) comes on.

 

I will second the notion that getting rid of the K&N filter will solve some of your codes. It caused more problems than what little "gains" I got from it. I went back to the OEM air box and an AFE drop in filter. The BAFX scan tool is a good product also.

 

Car manufacturers spent a lot of money developing the motor and what it needs to operate,,, and it should be adequate,,, IMHO. Better filtration is way more important to me than having something that might leak and let something get by into the motor. Most people don't take care of their K&N the way it should be anyway.

 

The issue with the K&N filters is that it uses OILED cotton. That oil gets sucked down the intake tract and gets all over everything, especially Throttle Position Sensor and MAF- which are critical to ECU operations. K&N FIPK on TAcoma 2.7l or 3.4l are notorious for throwing codes. If you want to leave it on there, keep the tube and boot (clean out all the filter media oil) and get a dry filter.

 

this is a very difficult thing to advise on since not all scan tools are the same. I have 3 due to the many different vehicles that I own / tinker on. One tool might allow you to reset some but not all of the maintenence lights, some will cycle the ABS pump so that you can bleed the brakes, some will only check engine issue and not ABS issues. You are going to have to determine what vehicles you can use it on and what you think you might use it for. Lots of Auto Parts stores have scan tool that you can use, some might let you take it home, after all, they want to sell you parts even if they dont fix the problem.