I'm looking for a code scanner and need some advice. I want one for the Dodge, but would also like one that would read my wife '05 Thunderbird and my '94 XJ cherokee, as well as any late model car or truck. Does such device exist? Give me some ideas! Thanks Robert

 

I have an Acron that I got from Amazon. Its' just reads P-codes & resets the MIL. You have to look up the P-codes in a book, but for $55 it does what I need. It will work with all vehicles with an OBDII port ('86 & new vehicles)

 

Most tool truks have a code reader now without breaking the bank (except Snap-On). I got a Cornwell for about $130, Mac and Matco have the same unit in other colors for about the same. You could probably find it on the web for half without the fancy name brand!

 

If your passenger vehicle or light truck was manufactured for sale in the U.S., with the model year of 1996 and newer (and rarely some 1994 and 1995 vehicles), you will have the OBDII interface. EOBD vehicles follow the same rules except new gasoline models became complaint in 2000 and existing models became compliant in 2001. EOBD diesel vehicles start with the 2004 model years. You can check in the engine compartment for an emissions sticker that will verify your vehicle's compliance with ODBII.

For vehicle's 1994 and 1995, CARB has provided this list: http://autoenginuity.com/dloads/CARB...Compliance.pdf

There are a wide variety of OBDII readers/writers available and any reader can read the sensors in ODBII complient vehicles. Many vehicles go beyond the OBD sensors and provide access to ABS, Diesel engine, Auto trans, etc type component sensors. These sensors are not ODB and are generally not included in basic readers, but many outfits sell expansion software.