Question about those cheap code readers from the auto parts store

I've always been a 'scan tool or bust' guy, thought those $30 generic readers were just for clearing check engine lights before selling a car. Then my buddy's kid had a weird intermittent stall on his old Civic, and my good scanner showed nothing. Out of desperation, I plugged in the cheap one I keep in my glove box. It pulled a pending code for the crank sensor that my tool completely missed. Took about 3 minutes. I swapped the sensor, problem fixed. Now I keep that little thing on my cart as a first check for weird electrical gremlins. It's not a replacement for real diag, but it's another data point. Has anyone else had a basic tool surprise them like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_linda12d ago

Yeah, that "another data point" thing is so true. I read a forum post where a mechanic said he uses the cheap one to get a quick snapshot before even opening his good scanner. It can sometimes catch a weird communication glitch the fancy one smooths over.

shane_anderson12d ago

That's like using a toy stethoscope before the real one.