Bidirectional scanner

Hey yall

Is this a decent scanner? I need one that checks for evap leaks and o2 sensors AND can clear coded.

$178 LAUNCH OBD2 Scanner CRP123X Elite, 2025 Lifetime Free WiFi Update scan Tool, FCA SGW, SAS Calibration/Throttle/Brake/BMS/D-P-F/Oil Reset/ABS bleeding, Multi Systems Car Scanner, Battery Test, Auto VIN

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RLF8FBC?ie=UTF8&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw

 

No idea. OBDII will throw a code if the EVAP or O2 are having issues. Any OBDII reader can clear codes. Check my signature, don't waste money

 

I don't think that one does bi-directional controls, at least I don't see where it does.

1st gens I don't believe have an automated EVAP leak test function, at most you can command the solenoids on and off with a bi-directional scan tool.
O2 sensors you can look at in live data on pretty much any scan tool that supports live data although one with graphing capability is much better.

Typically for a full function bi-directional scanner your gona be in the ~$300+ range, the only cheaper one I currently know of is the

$120 Thinkdiag OBD2 Scanner Bluetooth, Full System Bidirectional Diagnostic Scan Tool OE-Level Code Reader with ECU Coding,15+ Reset Service, FCA AutoAuth, All Software 1 Year Update Fits for iOS & Android

ThinkDiag. It's around $99 and comes with 1 year all systems functionality and currently around $70 a year after that but you need a decent smartphone to run the app.

 

That is a tough question to answer. The biggest issue I have with scanners is that you never know if the scanner you just bought is going to fill your future needs. Do you need bidirectional control ? Do you need manufacturer specific ? Do you need ABS testing and on and on and on. I seems that I need to buy a better scan tool every 5 years or so due to just how more advanced the manufacturers are making cars.

 

Yea if your working on anything that's less than a few years old you pretty much have to keep your scan tool up to date, fortunately most vehicles we see in the independent world are at least 3-5 years old. Still have to have multiple scan tools, a scope, and alot of electrical test tools plus the knowledge to use it all if you want to effectively diagnose them.

 

On one of my personal rides, an 2008 BMW X5, It needed a battery. I know enough to research this. I can hear the people reading this saying what are you talking about? Its just a battery, put one one in it… Well it isnt that simple any more, none of the 4 scan tools I own had the capability to reset the battery charge controller. I had to take it to an independent shop to get then to reset the charge controller, I went to the dealer and the estimate, to put a battery in her was north of $600. The price of the battery plus charge controller reset plus all firmware updates. I sold that vehicle shortly after and I am glad I got rid of it.

Dm93 what scope are you using? What do you like/dislike about it?

 

Yea alot of vehicles require a battery monitor reset among other resets/relearns when changing the battery but Euro cars are really crazy.
I won't work on Euro stuff allthough some people love working in them.

I have 3:

The AESWave Uscope, it's just single channel but it's nice for quick tests.

The built in scope on my SnapOn Verus Edge, it's 4 channels. I mostly use this one since I usually have it anyway using the scanner, it will do pretty much everything I need.

I recently bought a PicoScope, I don't use it alot because of the time it takes to set up but it's probably one of the best automotive scopes out there. Not cheap though.

 

I really really WANT a PicoScope but I would have to justify the dollars spent and then I would have to make the decision… if the car is that difficult to diagnose that it REQUIRES a scope, I am not 100% sure I want to be working on it. It is a thankless job.

 

Yea they are pretty pricey especially if your just a DIY, I got a pretty good deal on the one I bought. It was a new return and came with alot of accessories, I still want to get a pressure transducer yet but those cost almost as much as the scope itself.

There's so many issues I've diagnosed with a scope that would have taken so much longer or would have been impossible to diagnose without one, next to a test light and a good scanner it's one of the most valuable tools you can have for diagnostics. I'm by no means an expert at analyzing waveforms (especially ignition and compression) but in most cases you don't need to be, you just need to know what good looks like so you can see when it's not good.
I do have to say though the vast majority of stuff I diagnose I do with a simple test light, if you understand circuit design then using a test light in most cases makes diag so much faster and more accurate than following flow charts down a rabbit hole.

I guess so but I enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of finding those pesky electrical gremlins that others can't. The only ones I hate are intermittent faults, I want it to be broke and stay broke until I find the problem.

 

If I remember correctly the Pine Hollow guy has a special on his manufacture transducer…

 

Yea I may get one when he runs a sale on them again.

 

Pico makes a$150 version that is 2 channel but cannot run the automotive software. Instead it runs what looks like the exact same software minus the automotive drop down menus with specialized tests already configured. That's what I use. There's some videos on YouTube about it. Don't remember the model no right now.

 

This one?

$185 Pico Technology PicoScope 2204A Oscilloscope 2 Channels 10 MHz, 8 kS, Handheld USB PC Digital Portable Lab Kit, with Probes, PS7 Software and Waveform Generator

https://www.amazon.com/Pico-PicoSco...t=&hvlocphy=9031315&hvtargid=pla-404289765070

 

Yeah, that's the one