Can you recommend a decent diagnostic computer for home use?

JPSIENICKI

MEMBER
2000 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
150,000 MILES

I am not a mechanic, but I do almost all of my own maintenance, and I am adventurous enough to try almost anything on my car (after doing some online research). I understand that some diagnostic computers require expensive computer software (for professional use and extremely specific diagnosing) and some do not (for basic diagnosing). I am looking for a recommendation for one from each category. Thank you.

3 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

How about just a scanner that reads your engine and transmisson codes and basic live engine data?One that reads everything is a lot of money to lay out for a diyer. Also to get a good used one that reads everything air bags abs etc is about 600.I have seen ones that read engine and transmission and basic live engine data for about 50 something.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 AT 4:30 PM

JPSIENICKI

MEMBER
1 POST

Thank you for the information. I will look for a basic model with engin/trans codes and live engine data. Do you recommend any brands?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 AT 4:57 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Here is the one I think you couldnt wrong with it does live data freeze frame data from set codes and reads transmission and engine codes plus will tell you if the emissions monitors are set.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012 AT 5:16 PM