Thread: What is a good computer scanner for old and new car???

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I want a scanner that will tell me what the codes are, not just give me the code.
My buddy said I need OB2 System OTC with EC - 4, I guess for the older cars.
My motor & fuel injection system is out of a 1989 Lincoln town car so that's a little old.
But I would like to get something that will interchange between all my car's. So I can check the codes on all of my car's and reset oil change lights and stuff like that.
I could not get the guy at Auto zone to reset my oil change light even though I had reciept's for over 100 buck's in synthenic oil from them. From when I changed the oil in all my car's just last month. He said he could not prove that I changed my oil so he would not reset it. Are you kidding me!!!! Can't count of these shop's have to do it all now I guess. Other wise you'll be paying $100 bucks for a good oil change.
Then you have to worry about the guy going in your car and messing something else up, so they can charge you for it. Had the oil changed on all my car before I left Florida and the guy ask me on them if I wanted the freeon for the A/C check I said no they are good. Two of the A/C unit's went out on my trip. When I started to check it out to see what happened I found that both the fill valve's were lose. Now I might be able to see it happening to one car, but not both at the same time. Then I had to take one of them back before the trip because I found that they did not greese it!!! Just can not trust some of these shop's anymore. Then they are always trying to sell you something. Oh I have a 2002 chevy suburban, 2007 Mustang GT, and 2008 Dodge Ram Hemi, and old 70 Ford pickup with all the stuff from a 1989 Lincoln town car. Just info so I can get the right Scanner for all this stuff, or that will interchange between them. Thanks guy's!!!
Kurt

Oil change light does not reset thru ALDL, look at your owners manual. On a GM car, you turn the key to RUN with the engine off and depress the accelerator three times as I remember. Your mileage may vary, slightly higher in the mountains, not available with other offers, limited quantitity, must be 18, etc.

Hey Robot;
Well that 's news to me, I had a buddy reseting it for me in Florida.
But thanks I will try that and see if it works on my GM.

Thanks Robot you taught me something new today.
I think it worked but I will drive it some and make sure it does not come back on again.
Thats what happened in Florida, I would drive it a couple days and the light would come back on.
So when that happened I would take it over to my buddy's and he would reset it for me.
He always put his scanner on it for me though, maybe he was checking stuff out for me.
Thanks again, I still need a good scanner though too.
Kurt

Yeah Kurt, only tool you'll need to set any oil change reminder is the owners manual or an internet search. ( Unless your driving a BMW )
As far as a scan tool I do prefer the OTC as that is what I began with many moons ago and understand. But a scan tool with any capabilities is gonna set ya back a bunch of dollar bills. And then theres the software options and updates. I just gave over 9 bills to get me from 2008 up to 2011 for USA & Asian.

Thanks HWorrell;
Ya I know they are pricey but with 6 car's and my brother's 3, it will be worth it for me.
Since I moved back to Nevada my brother keeps comming around, wanting me to do this or that.
I tried to tell him it ain't like the old days before fuel injection and computers in cars when I
could do most of this stuff. It was bad enough when they tried to design something so it was
had to work on. Now they make it where some of the dealers have to call in on a computer
to be able to tell whats wrong!!!
Kurt

My wifes jeep had a button to push in the dash you needed a ball point pen.. The engine anilizers I've seen including mine will not go back past 1999. At least mine won't if I want one for earlier I need to buy another one?? The plugs are different.

I guess that pulling the bulb on the Toyota Celica I had with one of those lights wasn't the correct way to fix it then Oh well - that car lasted another 3-4 years as a DD before it was sold

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I bought a cheap one at walmart and it reads the codes and reset's them. I would think any OBII scanner would do the checking for you. the oil change light I always just google the make year and model to reset it. like robot said some of the steps are strange stand on one foot and kick tire twice. I have a 2010 explorer and you go through a check list and hit reset.

I used to do that back in the day to, IC2.
But after I blew a motor in the middle of the mojave desert at 3 AM.
And almost had to walk back to Fort Ord Army base I decided to stop doing that!!!
HE! HE! HE!
Kurt

Well I got my new Actron CP9190 Elite Auto Scanner Pro today.
Only spent $289 bucks for it from Summit, they price matched it from Mechanics tool warehouse.
It has all the cords or hook ups from 81 to present, plus computor disc to help with update and such.
It can record and print to the computer printer.
I guess I'll break it in tomarrow on old blue, my 70 Ford pick up.
I love new toys!!! Here is a video below.
Mine is actually the 9190.
Kurt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ynOEYZCGE