If you own a vehicle with models 1996 and up, OBD2 code reader is a tool that can help you perform troubleshooting repairs and diagnostics. It can retrieve trouble codes direct from your engine computer located in its memory. Since 1996, the government imposed a regulation requiring all obd diagnostic tool have a common feature for all types of vehicles. This is a departure from OBD1 where every car manufacturer has its own unique diagnostic tool which is expensive for garages trying to fix them. The newer system has the scanner to display the trouble codes which are accessible from the same location for all vehicles.

Aside from displaying the trouble codes on the new OBD2 scanner, it also gives a description of the meaning of the code pertaining to the affected circuit. On some models, the code reader has the ability to erase the fault code including live data showing the actual functions of the circuit components while the vehicle is being ran. Furthermore, other functions are also available on some obd2 code reader like programming of the engine electrical sensors, solenoids and computer module and recoding of ignition key. These features displayed in live graphs are really important when analyzing the engine problem. Be warned though that the code reader only give you the possible area or circuit of the problem but not the exact cause of it.

When buying your own code reader, make sure to check the obd code reader seller that the the diagnostic tool will work for your vehicle. Some obd2 code reader will work only on domestic but not on imports and vice versa that is why it is important to clarify this fact before buying the diagnostic tool. As soon as the trouble code is fixed, the code reader should allow the user to clear and reset the code.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 1st, 2008 at 5:10 am and is filed under Check Engine Light FIXES. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.