Comparison of the best OBD2 scanners in 2020
| Brand | Price |
|---|
| The best OBD2 scanner overall | Innova | $300 |
| The best Bluetooth smartphone OBD2 scanner | BlueDriver | $100 |
| The best OBD2 scanner if money is no object or if you're a paid professional | Bosch | $4,450 |
| The best leave-it-in-all-the-time OBD2 Bluetooth dongle | FIXD | $60 |
A standard diagnostic test can take about an hour to an hour and a half. Of course, more complicated issues that require further diagnosis and where components must be removed for access or testing can take 2-3 hours; depending on the severity of the issue or multiple underlying issues.
Enter BlueDriver, a professional quality vehicle scan tool that's simple to use.
- Download the free software (Android/iOS)
- Plug the BlueDriver into your vehicle's OBD II (On Board Diagnostic) port - find out where it is here.
- Pair the BlueDriver with your Android or iOS device.
- Fire up the app and start using it.
The cost of a car diagnostic test can vary greatly depending on your vehicle's model, make, and the issues. Experts say you can expect to pay anywhere between $40 and $400 for a car diagnostic test in dealer shops, and that's before any repairs are done.
Diagnostic tests can reveal problems within a car's engine, transmission, exhaust system, brakes, and other major components, as well as performance issues with the fuel injector, air flow and coolant, ignition coils, and throttle.
Follow these 4 steps to insert and read the OBD scanner:
- Step 1: Locate your vehicle's OBD port.
- Step 2: Plug your OBD scan tool into the connector.
- Step 3: Read the codes in the computer.
- Step 4: Record the codes that display.
- Step 2: Determine the meaning of the letter.
Because OBD was found in cars manufactured before 1995, mechanics rarely have to deal with it anymore. This is good because OBD scanners were manufacturer specified, meaning one car brand, one OBD scanner. OBD2 is universal, and one scanner tool can support different manufacturers.
The check engine light essentially means that your vehicle's onboard computer system has self-diagnosed some kind of problem. This problem can be anything from a momentary hiccup, something like a loose gas cap or a change in humidity, to the failure of a major component like a bad catalytic converter.
Does my car have OBD-II? All cars built since January 1, 1996 have OBD-II systems. Manufacturers started incorporating OBD-II in various models as early as 1994. Some early OBD-II cars were not 100% compliant.
It is also the primary location of tracking devices such as dongles as the port provides ongoing power to the device. There are two generations of OBD ports, OBD1 and OBD-ii aka OBD2. To determine which one you have, if your vehicle was built and sold in the US after January 1st, 1996 you will have an OBD 2 port.
Under the hood, there should be a sticker that clearly defines the type of OBD your vehicle has. The second method is merely to know what year your vehicle was manufactured. If your car was made before 1996, it uses OBD1. Any vehicle made after 1996 should use OBD2.
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.
- 1996 or newer model year vehicle sold in the United States. United States legislation requires all cars and light trucks model year (MY) 1996 and newer to be OBD-II compliant.
- 2001 or newer model year gasoline vehicle sold in the European Union.
- 2004 or newer model year diesel vehicle sold in the European Union.
Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.
The most common reason for getting no OBD code is simply a blown fuse. Even a fuse dedicated solely to the car's computer diagnostics can blow for no apparent reason. Check your fuses to see if any have gone bad. Remember that your car or truck might have more than one fuse box.
Warning lights can sometimes burn out at the same time, too, for the same reason. But to answer your question, yes, a blown fuse on the engine management computer circuit can make the “check engine” or “service engine soon” light go on and stay on.
The fuse that reins the check engine light is akin to the small yellow box-like item situated on the lower-left corner, with two 10mm fuses. It's a double fuse on the fuse box beneath the dash and reads ROOM/PLAFON.
Where to find the OBD2 port, when trying to connect a scanner to your Mercedes-Benz. The OBD II port is located under the dashboard, driver's side. Look under the dash, over by the brake pedal.
Flip your car's ignition on and off a couple of times without cranking the engine and finish with the key in the on position. Your car will then check for any saved trouble codes. All the lights on the dash should light up until one remains on—usually the “service engine” light.
One main reason that a check engine light comes on with no code being stored is that there is a software error. This is often the result of something being wrong with the OBD reader that the driver, parts store, or mechanic shop is using. Most frequently, the software errors stem from a low-level OBD reader being used.
