ODBII reader (CarChip, Equus 3100, Autozone?)

aldend123 · Post by **aldend123** » 21 Jul 2006, 20:11

So I was on the highway the other day, cruisin at a fairly low rpm, and at 65mph. I decide to pass someone, so naturally I have to pass in style, with my foot to the floor. I feel my S70 T5's boost begin, then the engine or the turbo, not sure... hesitates? for just a moment, as the check engine light flashes maybe 5 times then goes solid. Then the power continued and since then the car seems to drive just fine. Gas milage also seems the same.

Anyways, I called up two shops in the area, one guy said he'd need the car for an hour or so to run diagnostics (he has an S80 T6 and seems like a decent guy). My long-time family trusted mechanic, who is often very busy, said he'd need the car overnight to run diagnostics. Of course I forget to ask question #1, cost! Either way, car at the shop for an hour or a night... bothersome.

Flippin through the IPD catalog I got in the mail I spot an item I've never seen on the site, the CarChip EX for $130, plugs into USB and reads all kinds of cool stuff. As a techno geek... this seems very neat. I've known they exist, but $130 is no where near the price I expected. Also seems I can pick up an Equus 3100 for $100 or so, and then I read Autozone does FREE error code reads? Did I read this right... they do it for FREE???

So
My questions
Anyone reconize my symptoms?
Anyone have any input on error code readers? Any models I'm not considering that you think are a better bang for the buck?

The Equus 3100 is cheaper, but far from being as cool as the CarChip with all it's fancy graphs and memory of various read-outs.

And does anyone think that even an hour for my code to be read is strangely long? Do they run some kind of more indepth check? Far as I've ever known, simply plug the checker device in, punch a few buttons and refer to the manual for code-to-english translation.

Post by **kelvin6** » 21 Jul 2006, 21:21

Well if you own a laptop, here is the cheapest computer OBDII solution I ever found:

http://www.myscantool.com/

It'll do WAY MORE than just trouble codes... you'll need the ISO (9141) version. But hey for $89.99 its a good deal!

And I think its the same or cheaper than the products you've mentioned.

aldend123 · Post by **aldend123** » 21 Jul 2006, 21:45

interesting device, seen it a while back over on http://www.mp3car.com and completeeelllyy forgot about it. Also they have it listed for much more at $130.

Cool device yes, though will it really read more than the CarChip EX?
Also, while the live data output would be cool, I'm not so sure I wanna drive around my laptop riding shotgun. This isn't the Fast and the Furious and I don't drive an electric green Eclipse. Haha, anyways yes something to consider, but I think I'd rather just drive around without the laptop and wires hangin out and use the CarChip, though the savings are tempting.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 21 Jul 2006, 23:32

I have an Equus Innova 3100...works fine for me!

Post by **pfeener** » 22 Jul 2006, 05:48

Depends on what you need it to do; I have the Innova 3030 which I bought off ebay (new in box) for $50 including shipping. It will read the codes and reset the CEL, which is all I wanted it for.

aldend123 · Post by **aldend123** » 22 Jul 2006, 16:21

Just bought a CarChip EX on ebay, for $71 including shipping!
It is the older serial model, not usb. But as far as I could find, they are the same unit, just different connectivity... not a big deal to me. Software and firmware updates availible online too.

Use the item twice, between saved money and the convenience, I think it'll be money well spent. Plus its cool. Maybe I can charge friends $10 to shut their lights off too to help cover the cost. Anyways I eagerly await it's arrival and I'll letcha all know how it worked.

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 23 Jul 2006, 06:20

Just so you know before hand, a flashing CEL is usually caused by misfires.

aldend123 · Post by **aldend123** » 23 Jul 2006, 21:46

Still eagerly awaiting my toy, but I'm cruising around after waxing the car (it was just begging to be driven) and I'm thinking... hm whats different? wait... no CEL

Now I'm sure the device will still be of some use somewhere down the road, but I just wanna know what caused the light.

Misfires...related to cap/rotor which should be replaced at about the milage I have and have not gotten around to yet?

jabber · Post by **jabber** » 26 Jul 2006, 09:16

I have an Innova Equus 3110 and it has saved me money already in the 1/2 year I have had it.
As for the CEL light being out, don't worry... The code will still be there.

Jabber.