My Mazda dealer wants something like 4130 to just hook up the OBDEC scanner to see why my check engine light is on!!
I've decided I can BUY a scanner just as cheap
The thing is... what reasonable priced consumer level scanner to buy? What brand and model?
Have 2000 Mazda Protege ES
A ScanGauge
Someone posted here previously that AutoZone will read the code for free.
want to buy one anyway
There are a lot more of these devices around than I ever imagined. For example, go to amazon.com and search for "automotive code reader" (without the quotes, of course) and you will see a wide assortment equipment and prices.
R.
well its gets good reviews at least
96 reviews on Amazon
I like it but I'd need one that will work for older vehicles also, unfortunately those cost a lot more..
I have that very model, also bought from Amazon. It's not a fancy model, but pays for itself the first time you use it. There are shops that don't charge you to hook the car up to their reader, but then they got you in the door, didn't they?
I diagnosed an O2 sensor error with the reader, then after replacing the O2 sensor, reset the Miata's computer (no need for the jumper trick) and am up and running. Highly recommended.
n
I bought some $50 thing from Harbor Freight that has no buttons, just reads codes and does a reset after so many readings. This came in handy when I bought a 2000 Protege that others had passed over since it had the "check engine" light burning brightly. With the information from the reader, I was able to buy the car with a good understanding of what needed to be done to repair the fault. Worked like a charm!
Do after market O2 sensors fit and work ok, or did you have to buy it from dealer?
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