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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / October 2005Anyone Used the Innova 3100 Fault-Code Reader
I'm considering purchasing this reader, initially for diagnostics and reset on a 1996 B3500 Dodge van: http://www.partsamerica.com/CodeReaders.aspx If you have personal experience using this device, please comment on your assesment of it's utility and quality. thanks, Martin > I'm considering purchasing this reader, initially for diagnostics and > reset on a 1996 B3500 Dodge van: [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Martin I have one and I'd consider selling it. What exactly do you want to know? It's not a lot better than the $40 ones. Looks neater but functionally is about the same. Al > > I'm considering purchasing this reader, initially for diagnostics and > > reset on a 1996 B3500 Dodge van: [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > about the same. > Al I thought this device had at least one additional feature, the ability to reset the codes and CEL without generating a stored "12" code. If you use the $40 reader, you have to reset by battery disconnect, the go through 50 starts to reset the "12" before taking the vehicle for state inspection. Does yours provide this functionality? > > > I'm considering purchasing this reader, initially for diagnostics and > > > reset on a 1996 B3500 Dodge van: [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > through 50 starts to reset the "12" before taking the vehicle for state > inspection. Does yours provide this functionality? If you reset the codes, you will have to go through a number of restarts and run time to complete specific tests the computer runs and keeps track of regardless of what code reader you use. There is NO code reader that I am aware of that would allow you to reset codes and then take it immediately to a state inspection that monitors the computer as part of the emissions test since they are looking for stored codes AND test results. While the reader you are looking at can reset the codes without setting code 12, it will also cause the computer to restart these tests and that is what the state inspection is looking for.  SignatureIf at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving > If you have personal experience using this device, please comment on > your assesment of it's utility and quality. It's a code reader... you plug it in, it displays codes. Not much to comment on. However - be sure your '96 Van really is OBD-II - as the law required all vehicles MANUFACTURED after 1-1-96 to be OBD-II compliant. Production for the '96 model year started in Sept. or so of '95. I've seen other '96 vehicles that were still OBD-I. > > If you have personal experience using this device, please comment on > > your assesment of it's utility and quality. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > the '96 model year started in Sept. or so of '95. I've seen other '96 > vehicles that were still OBD-I. How can I determine for certain that the van is OBD-II? Is there a distinctive diagnostic-connector shape (link to a picture), or perhaps the number of pins can be counted to determine OBD-II vs OBD-I? It was indeed manufactured in 1995, so this is something I need to figure out. ODBII has a large D shaped 16 pin connector which is usually under the dash in alignment with the steering column. http://www.gendan.co.uk/article_3.html SignatureIf at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving > > > If you have personal experience using this device, please comment on > > > your assesment of it's utility and quality. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > the number of pins can be counted to determine OBD-II vs OBD-I? It was > indeed manufactured in 1995, so this is something I need to figure out. > > > If you have personal experience using this device, please comment on > > > your assesment of it's utility and quality. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > the number of pins can be counted to determine OBD-II vs OBD-I? It was > indeed manufactured in 1995, so this is something I need to figure out. You can find pictures of the OBD II connector on the web, or look in any 97 or newer car. It has the general shape of an old printer connector. The OBD I is shaped like a fat "L." Some of the low cost readers show the error code three times, and if you don't disconnect it, reset the ECM. I have reset the ECM on GM cars and ran them right through emissions with no problems. Al Thanks, Al. Based on the answers from yourself and others, I concluded that the $100 units do not offer any functionality over the cheaper ones, so I bought one on sale at "Harbor Freight" for $31.99. Martin In article <1130335990.897796.226570@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, > > > If you have personal experience using this device, please comment on > > > your assesment of it's utility and quality. [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > the number of pins can be counted to determine OBD-II vs OBD-I? It was > indeed manufactured in 1995, so this is something I need to figure out. First, is the diagnostic connector under the hood or under the dashboard. Is it shaped like this \ --------- / \--------/ OBD2 Or this ______ | | |__ | |___| pre OBD2 Last, check the VECI label, if it's OBD2, it will say. Based on the responses I received, I decided to opt for a cheap unit from Harbor Freight, since the $100 unit offers no additional functionality. It was $39.99, on sale from $49.99, and there was a 20% discount coupon available that made it $31.99. I went ahead and bought it since the coupon was expiring yesterday, and will just return it if the van turns out to not be OBD-II. thanks, Martin > I'm considering purchasing this reader, initially for diagnostics and > reset on a 1996 B3500 Dodge van: [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Martin The more expensive ones tend to either have better displays that give you a text description of the error codes rather than just the number and some offer more diagnostic capability such as displaying the actual output from the sensors but if you don't need these things then save the money and buy the less expensive equipment. SignatureIf at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving > Based on the responses I received, I decided to opt for a cheap unit > from Harbor Freight, since the $100 unit offers no additional [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > > > Martin > The more expensive ones tend to either have better displays that give you a > text description of the error codes rather than just the number and some > offer more diagnostic capability such as displaying the actual output from > the sensors but if you don't need these things then save the money and buy > the less expensive equipment. The unit in the subject line has books in English, Spanish and French. Three separate books with the explanation of the codes. I always look them up on the web. Google the car and the code, get much better explanations of what to look for. Al |
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