Consumer engine diagnostic tools
 

What do you all think of consumer-level engine diagnostic tools? I'm referring to a gadget that you plug into your car's diagnostic connector.

My "check engine" light went on a couple of days ago and I'm thinking it might be a better idea to buy one of these things instead of paying a garage to plug their device in and charge me fifty bucks for it.

Does anyone have one of these? Apparently, a 1995 240SX is uses the "OBD II" diagnostic system standard (everything I've read tells me that most vehicles only started adhering to this standard in 1996). However, anyone that sells these things only supports cars that 1996 and later.

Would I need to get one specific for Nissan/1995/240SX?

some '95s were obd II, but all '96 and newer are obd II. i don't remember what makes and models use can.

i have an actron, it was about $150 and it makes thinks easier to fix because i don't have to try to guess what's wrong.

Thanks. I actually emailed one of these mfrs. and they told me that, even if my car is OBD II compliant, their device won't be compatible because it will recognize the model year and refuse to work if it's pre-1996.

+1 for Actron! Buy that one. *e-five to ramos* That thing has come in handy sooooo many times, both with my parents cars and my friend's cars. There are some problems with OBDII where codes just need to be cleared and theres actually nothing wrong. I saved this girl I know some money by fixing her car by just resetting codes. Worth every penny in my opinion. My dad has a 1995 van and it works with that, but he had to buy some kind of add on for it iirc.

i have a friend that has a $3000 scan tool,i thinks it's a mac. he tried to read the codes on my moms '96 quest but kept getting an error mesage. his allows you to monitor just about eveything as the car is running but it's useless if it can't be hooked up right.