Relax! Don’t do it. Buying That Bargain OBD2 Scanner May Cost You More

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Your vehicle is a well-oiled machine, figuratively, but even the most expensive, well-built, and intelligently designed machines can run into a problem now and then. Mechanical and electronic parts typically break down due to normal wear and tear. And that’s happening right now inside your vehicle. One of the best ways to handle preventive maintenance — preventative because you address potential failures before they happen — and fix any problems that arise is to use a tool called an OBD2 scanner.

Now, a scanner is nothing new. Most people know what they are, especially since they’ve been around since the late 90s. Mechanics, dealerships, pro repair shops, and even DIY fixers use them to check diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that a vehicle computer will flag. They essentially tell you where a problem has occurred, but not the why.

But you don’t want to go out and grab a basic scanner off the shelf or Amazon. Because buying a bargain OBD2 scanner might cost you quite a bit of money in the long run, and we’re not just talking about the few dollars you spend to get the tool.

Before You Buy: Stop, Do Your Research

A basic scanner will simply pull the error codes from your vehicle and report them. Most of the time, these types of scanners can only read generic codes — not manufacturer-specific codes. More importantly, they won’t tell you any additional information.

P codes are related to the Powertrain system, C codes the chassis, B codes the body, and U codes the network, like the CAN bus. If you have no idea what any of that means, don’t worry. The point is, there are a lot of different codes.

P0102, for example, tells us that there’s a low power input at the Mass Airflow (MAF) circuit. But what it doesn’t tell us is why that’s happening. You might immediately think the mass airflow sensor or a similar component is failing. That’s not always the case, however. A nearby system or component could be the issue, or the sensor may just need a quick cleaning. You need more contextual information to make an informed diagnosis.

Think of basic codes as being similar to a check engine light. When that orange light comes on, you know something is wrong, but you don’t know what. It is representative of dozens, if not hundreds, of potential problems.

Generic codes are the same way. You see the code, you can read what system is involved, but that’s as far as you’ll get, unless you dive right into the engine and start taking things apart, and that’s never a good idea.

Advanced Tools Are the Way, Grasshopper

Wax on. Wax off. As a master sensei would tell you, more knowledge helps you create a strong foundation from which to build upon. Advanced OBD2 scanners are the minimal starting point for any DIY or professional diagnosis.

When it comes to complex failures, especially — and today’s average engine is incredibly nuanced indeed — you need a tool that can present live, operating data and other relevant statistics.

The Innova 5610, for example, is an advanced, bidirectional OBD2 scanner that can deliver enhanced and live data, including OEM-specific information. You can use it for comprehensive vehicle diagnostics to discover what’s wrong with nearly any system, from ABS, SRS, and core engine failures to transmission and electrical concerns.

It’s like having a pro-level dealership-quality tool in your hands with access to precisely the kind of information that licensed or certified professionals would have. It can handle relearns, calibrations, component resets, and much more.

Okay, But How Will a Basic Scanner Cost You More?

With complex vehicle failures, you need more context to make an informed repair decision. It’s so easy to just throw new parts at a problem and replace the piece or component you believe may be faulty. Sure, that might work, but also there’s a pretty high chance it won’t.

You could end up replacing a part that’s working just fine, especially when the source of the problem is elsewhere. That means you paid for an unnecessary repair or invested time doing it yourself. And if you don’t address the actual problem, it’s likely the engine’s performance could get worse, or, in a bad scenario, the failure might cause more damage to core systems.

You need to make an accurate and correct diagnosis. Advanced scanners will allow you to do that. A basic scanner will return generic, multi-functional codes that could essentially be related to any tangential problem. You know as well as we do that an engine is a collection of systems and parts, meaning they all influence each other. Another system, component, or part in that network could be the real source of the error code or failure, and you could be overlooking it entirely.

By actively choosing to go with the basic, less-capable scanner, you may be condemning your vehicle. It’s as simple as that. Before you spend on that cheap scanner, relax. Don’t do it. Take a second and think it through.

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