Facts About Obd2 Scan Tool That Will Make You Think Twice

By Author: Hamish Crotty
Total Articles: 238
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Every On Board Diagnostic scan tool falls into one of three categories, namely diagnostic scan tools, adapter- based diagnostics and dedicated scan tools. Diagnostic scan tools simply are the old-fashioned standalone diagnostic scanners. They basically are hand-held devices that connect via an On Board Diagnostic interface to an OBD port on the vehicle's ECM.

On the other hand, adapter-based On Board Diagnostic tools are scanners that work with an external Diagnostic device. Such devices are usually small, portable and come with limited or no functions. On the other hand, dedicated scan tool devices, as the name suggests, act like specialized or custom-built scanners that can perform all the functions that OBD2 scan tool perform. However, the latter devices can only be used to monitor emissions and diagnostic trouble codes, while the former can work in conjunction with On Board Diagnostic scan tool software.



Before using such device, it is imperative to check whether it works properly or not. One of the ways ...
... to test whether a device is compatible with your vehicle is by conducting an On Board Diagnostic test. It is important to make use of a recognized diagnostic test tool, for instance the AutoDMD Pro or the DMIPro. These tools are recognized by most vehicle manufacturers and are available at online auto testing services.



If your diagnostic device has been designed by a third-party organization, it may offer you with free service support and updates, which can be provided by the manufacturer for free. If, however, you wish to use an ODB2 scan tool from a vendor that is not approved by the manufacturer, it is essential to pay for the cost of the service support and upgrades.



If you plan to use an On Board diagnostic device from an authorized company, it is also important to know whether the tool has been certified by the National Association of Automotive Repair Technicians (NADA). You should ensure that the software is NADA-certified before making use of the tool. It should also be checked that the product comes with proper training manual to guide you during the installation process. A good tool should be capable of detecting malfunctions in the On Board interface and be able to print out diagnostic trouble codes.



After the installation process, the scanner should be able to read the diagnostic trouble codes and other parameters of the vehicle's systems. It should also be capable of printing the vehicle's emission level and the vehicle's speed. After performing all these tasks, it should display any discrepancies that need to be logged.



Before you can start using your ODB2 Scan tool, you should ensure that the device is turned on and switched off, and that the vehicle is plugged in a completely charged battery. You should also remove the diagnostic device from its original power source and replace it with an external power source. This should be done if the power source of the On Board Diagnostic scanner has been changed since the previous device was not compatible with your vehicle's scan tool.



You can test the vehicle's On Board Diagnostic device’s connection after the ODB scan tool is installed. After it is connected to the power source, the device should show its usual graphical output. In case of an error message, you should switch the On Board Diagnostic device off and check if the fault can be solved by using the appropriate OBD diagnostic troubleshooting tool. You may also check for possible hardware problems by running a software test to see whether the ODB2 scan tool can run on any of your devices.




About the Author: This contribution has been made by Hamish Crotty who has written a number of articles on OBD2 Scan Tool and provides fruitful information. To know more, please visit gtautoparts.com.au.