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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Trucks / August 2007Need opinions on Cen-Tec code scanner
http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=94217 I have a 1997 GMC 3500HD, diesel. It keeps cutting out. Most times it will restart after a few tries. Sometimes it takes several hours. Will this scanner tell me what is wrong? If not, is this still a good scanner to have? This scanner is on sale from $129.99 to $74.99 Thanks Is there a Check Engine light on? A scanner is only good for so many things. You may have a problem that only a good Scope or other hardware or Database info from Alltech or whatever else can solve. So my guess off hand is NO a scanner is not going to help you at all. Possibly a Professional (Very Expensive) version that can watch real time Data and on the off chance displays some type of info when the engine dies on you. Something that wouldn't pop on a error code. There's many, many things that the computer won't know about. This is when you need a GOOD Tech to track down the problem. A cheap Harbor Freight Scanner will only do the most Basic Stuff, and even when it does give you a error code, are you going to know what it means, and what to do with it? If there was a error code and you erase it. That doesn't fix the problem, it just comes back. For all I know you have a failing Fuel pump and that's why it's Dying like it is?!?! A scanner is not going to tell you that. Just replacing parts it the hope it fixes the problem is also just silly. You spend $130 on a scanner that more then likely won't show anything wrong, and if it did, doesn't help you fix the problem. Your better off going to a GOOD Shop that can track this problem down for you. You may just end up saving some money and your time in the process. I know your hoping to fix this problem cheaply, but I wouldn't count on it unless you have a friend that can do this kind of work for you. > http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=94217 > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > This scanner is on sale from $129.99 to $74.99 > Thanks > http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=94217 > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > This scanner is on sale from $129.99 to $74.99 > Thanks I downloaded the instruction manual. This appears to be nothing more than a code retrieval tool, IOWs, a twenty first century version of a straightened paper clip. This thing displays no PIDs, it can't do any bi-directional commands, it only does a few mode tasks, certainly not all that -should- be available. A real scan tool would boggle your mind, this thing will only frustrate. The whole point of a scan tool is to retrieve live data so you don't have to poke around with a volt meter. I'd consider it a waste of time and money, but your expectations are no doubt different than mine. >> http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=94217 >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > frustrate. The whole point of a scan tool is to retrieve live > data so you don't have to poke around with a volt meter. A real scan tool is a whole lot more money! They sure are nice and can do a whole hell of a lot more. Even then though it may not help him. They don't do everything. > I'd consider it a waste of time and money, but your expectations > are no doubt different than mine. Those cheap scan tools do come in useful for some things. It could tell you left your gas cap loose and that's why your check engine light is on. Easy enough fix and you can turn the light off. If you can understand what it's saying for you on the codes it does store, it can help you a little in the general area you need to check. Only problem is it doesn't tell you what exactly to check , where to look, what reading you should expect for some type of hardware to know if it's good or bad. ZERO. So you need other info to go with it. > A real scan tool is a whole lot more money! Yes they are, four to eight thousand dollars each times the number of manufacturers out there. If you're gonna play mechanic, it helps to have the correct tools. > They sure are nice and can do a > whole hell of a lot more. Even then though it may not help him. Indeed. A thorough understanding of how each system works is essential. > They don't do everything. Who said they did? > > I'd consider it a waste of time and money, but your expectations > > are no doubt different than mine. > > Those cheap scan tools do come in useful for some things. Wouldn't even make a good wheel chock. > It could tell you > left your gas cap loose and that's why your check engine light is on. Only on a vehicle which had an actual gas cap position sensor. Otherwise a loose gas cap will code exactly the same as a rotten grommet on a tank pressure sensor, or a rusted fill pipe. All positions to the contrary really only amount to 'good guesses.' > Easy > enough fix and you can turn the light off. The percentage of loose gas caps I see that set EVAP codes is easily under 10 percent. We've now had 12 years of practice to get the damn cap on right. > If you can understand what it's > saying for you on the codes it does store, it can help you a little in the > general area you need to check. If it doesn't lie to you. > Only problem is it doesn't tell you what > exactly to check , where to look, what reading you should expect for some > type of hardware to know if it's good or bad. ZERO. So you need other info > to go with it. All adding to the frustration for the novice. |
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