Getting a cheap car code reader nowadays is a must if you are busy and would like to control cost for car repairs. This is specially true if you see the check engine light (cel) in the dash panel. Instead of the garages check and charge you upwards at $50 per hour and up to test it, you are better off buying a cheap code reader.

In the olden days, if your car is made before 1985, most cars don’t have engine computers. Starting around 1987-1988, fuel injected engines with electronics control started showing up and it needed a code reader all the time to diagnose engine problems. Until 1995, most vehicles needed different code readers (called OBD1) for their make of cars. Example: different code readers were used for each brand of domestic and imported cars. So if you have 3 different cars in your garage, you would have to buy 3 brands of code readers for all of them. One for GM, another one for Ford and still a different one for a Chrysler car.

This practice is so expensive that beginning 1996, one common code reader called OBD2 was imposed by the government. If you like tinkering with different family cars and have a common tool that troubleshoot each of them, an OBD2 code reader is what you need. The good thing also with this new generation of code readers is, it can display about 85% of your engine data. This includes most engine operating parameters like troubleshooting codes, code reset features, sensor descriptions, capture frame sensor activities which can help you diagnose engine problems quickly.

The only problem with this type of obd2 code reader is the stiff price which normally retails between $150-$400. This is when a cheap car code reader comes in which retails under $40 (includes shipping) which you can buy online. Besides being small and handy which can fit in your pocket, it’s simple application fits everybody’s budget. When plugged in to your OBD2 connector in your vehicle (located in the left side of the steering column under the dash), it displays the trouble code stored in your computer memory. In essence, you only need the code number to be able to troubleshoot your check engine light. Once you have the fault code number, you can search the fix in the Internet or browse it here in ATS. Its as simple as that.

Cheap car code reader TIPS:

1.) CLICK HERE for samples of cheap car code reader for under $40 including shipping

If you scroll on the above list, the cheap code readers are on the top

2.) Finally, when buying cheap car code reader, make sure to check the vendor that the the diagnostic tool will work for your vehicle. Some obd2 code reader will work only on domestic cars 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 give you instructions on how to reset the code (In most cases, disconnecting the battery for 1 minute can clear the codes).

Important Warning:

On newer vehicles, always ask the vendor if the car code reader is compatible with computer protocol called  Controller Area Network (CAN) being made mandatory in 2008. Just because, it covers obd2 is enough to diagnose your car. If you notice, newer code readers has the word “CAN” stamped on them. For late 90s and early 2000s models, plain obd2 code reader is good enough.

Feel free to leave your questions in the comments box below about using a cheap car code reader.