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zach
08-31-2009, 04:04 PM
My Tundra's CEL light came on yesterday (yeah, that was quick). It's running fine and I'm not overly concerned, but I figured I'd take this opportunity to get a code reader. Does anyone have any recommendations? Is there any reason not to get the cheapest one I can find?

lupinsea
08-31-2009, 07:55 PM
Why not just head down to the local Schucks / O'Riely / Autozone and have them run their OBD-II code reader for you?

Costs nothing.

At Schucks if I deposit my driver's license they'll let me take the code reader out into the parking lot and play with it on my own. Did the to pull some codes on the Jeep.

Terri Kennedy
08-31-2009, 09:11 PM
My Tundra's CEL light came on yesterday (yeah, that was quick). It's running fine and I'm not overly concerned, but I figured I'd take this opportunity to get a code reader. Does anyone have any recommendations? Is there any reason not to get the cheapest one I can find?
If you just need to read codes one time, borrow the reader from an auto parts store.

If you need to read codes regularly, and/or zap the codes, get an inexpensive tool from a manufacturer like Actron (http://www.actron.com/product_category.php?id=249).

If you want near-OEM-level coverage, get an AutoEnginuity (http://www.autoenginuity.com/products.html) ProLine tool and the enhanced package for the brand(s) of car(s) you have.

zach
09-01-2009, 01:08 PM
Thanks a lot, Terry. I think I'll just get an Actron one as it'll probably come in handy. Now, to figure out which one...:D

Terri Kennedy
09-01-2009, 02:50 PM
Thanks a lot, Terry. I think I'll just get an Actron one as it'll probably come in handy. Now, to figure out which one...:D
I have the CP9175, which is the top end of their scan-only tools (anything up from there has graphing, live playback, etc.). One of the CP9175's main features is an internal battery, so you can read the codes, unplug it from the car, and bring it back into the house to review the codes when you're near a computer. It also displays the message text for the various codes, not just the number.

It is around $100.

Don't bother with the CP9137 "Update cable" - they've never released any updates for the tool, and you can't use the cable to import results directly into a PC.

zach
09-01-2009, 02:52 PM
I have the CP9175, which is the top end of their scan-only tools (anything up from there has graphing, live playback, etc.). One of the CP9175's main features is an internal battery, so you can read the codes, unplug it from the car, and bring it back into the house to review the codes when you're near a computer. It also displays the message text for the various codes, not just the number.

It is around $100.

Don't bother with the CP9137 "Update cable" - they've never released any updates for the tool, and you can't use the cable to import results directly into a PC.

That sounds good to me. Thanks again.

Rob
09-01-2009, 08:21 PM
Can't you get a fitting for the code reader you already have? Perhaps the BMW stuff is too different, but it seems like an adapter should make it work. Of course the codes might not mean anything without an index.

Terri Kennedy
09-02-2009, 04:39 AM
Can't you get a fitting for the code reader you already have? Perhaps the BMW stuff is too different, but it seems like an adapter should make it work. Of course the codes might not mean anything without an index.

What BMW reader does he have? If it is one of the Peake ones, it isn't a generic OBDII reader:

The R5/FCX-3 is not an OBDII device, it is a factory-code scanner. Meaning, it reads the full range of detailed BMW factory codes (which are the same codes the dealer has access to.) In contrast, OBDII tools use a government-mandated, generic code language, and do not read any BMW factory codes.

zach
09-02-2009, 07:29 AM
I believe it's a Peake clone, so Terry is probably right...

I ended up ordering the 9410, which was pretty cheap.

http://www.auto-facts.org/images/Actron-CP9410-PocketScan.jpg

zach
09-02-2009, 01:20 PM
The scanner arrived today. I'm not going to be able to use it until tonight. In the meantime, anyone want to try to guess what it'll come up with? The winner will receive a prize.

bren
09-02-2009, 02:04 PM
o2 sensor

ZBB
09-02-2009, 02:21 PM
o2 sensor

Either that or the gas cap has a leaky seal. Probably the 2 most frequent causes of the CEL light being triggered. And gas cap one was so frequent, there's not a separate indicator for it on newer cars...

lip277
09-02-2009, 03:33 PM
MAF (meaning lean on one side- maybe both)

FC
09-02-2009, 03:37 PM
The smart money is on the O2 sensor.

lip277
09-02-2009, 03:41 PM
The smart money is on the O2 sensor.

I've not been accuses of being smart. At least not recently.

:D

lupinsea
09-02-2009, 04:55 PM
The gas cap seal on our ZHP was defective and threw a code.

We also had the MAF go out, too.

zach
09-02-2009, 07:36 PM
P0051

Rob
09-03-2009, 01:23 AM
Well, I am glad that is cleared up. P0051. That's the . . . what is that?

lip277
09-03-2009, 02:28 AM
Well, I am glad that is cleared up. P0051. That's the . . . what is that?

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0051

zach
09-03-2009, 08:40 AM
Yeah, O2 sensor I guess, or is it the O2 sensor heater? :confused:

bren
09-03-2009, 08:50 AM
:loveme:

zach
09-03-2009, 08:51 AM
:loveme:

Yes, congrats. I'll have to dig up some sort of prize.

bren
09-03-2009, 11:09 AM
The knowledge that I was correct is prize enough for me. :p

Before you worry about fixing anything I'd reset the code and see what happens.

zach
09-03-2009, 11:23 AM
The knowledge that I was correct is prize enough for me. :p

Before you worry about fixing anything I'd reset the code and see what happens.

I had planned on sending you the faulty o2 sensor. ;)

Yeah, I reset the code. We'll see what happens I guess.

zach
09-03-2009, 03:08 PM
Update: the CEL came back on during my wife's trip to Worcester. I guess I need to replace the o2 sensor.