A car code scanner is one of the simplest car diagnostic tools you’ll find. They are designed to interface with a car’s computer and read trouble codes that can trigger check engine lights and scan your car’s other datas.
How Does a Car Code Reader Scanner Work?
When a trouble code is set, an indicator on the dashboard will light up. This is the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL), also called a check engine light. It means you can hook up a car code reader to see the problem. Of course, some codes do not trigger the check engine light.
Every OBD system has some connector that can be used to retrieve codes. In OBD-II systems, For instance, it’s possible to bridge OBD2 connector and then examine the blinking check engine light to determine which codes have been set. Similarly, codes can be read from OBD-II vehicles by turning the ignition key on and off in a specific pattern.
In all OBD-II systems, trouble codes are read by plugging a car code reader into the OBD2 connector. This allows the code reader to interface with the car’s computer, pull the codes, and sometimes perform other basic functions.
How to Use a Car Code Reader Diagnostic tool ?
To use a car code scanner, it must be plugged into an OBD system. In vehicles built after 1996, the OBD-II connector is typically located under the dash near the steering column. In rarer cases, it may be located behind a panel in the dashboard, ashtray, or another compartment.
Here are the basic steps for using a car code reader ?
1.Locate the OBD2 port, mostly cars’s OBD2 connector is underthe steering wheel seat.
2.Insert the code reader's OBD connector into the car’s OBD port.
3.Turn the code reader on, if your unit doesn't power on automatically.
4.Turn the vehicle's ignition switch to the accessory position.
5.Follow the on-screen prompts on the code reader.
What Can a Car Code Reader Do?
After the OBD2 socket has been located and connected, the car code reader will interface with the car’s computer. Simple code readers can draw power through an OBD-II connection, which means plugging the reader in may also power it up.
At that point, you will typically be able to:
1.Read and clear codes.
2.View basic parameter IDs.
3.Check and possibly reset readiness monitors.
The specific options vary from one car code reader to the next, but you should be able to read and clear codes at the bare minimum. Of course, it’s a good idea to avoid clearing the codes until you have written them down, at which point you can look them up on a trouble code chart.
NOTES:
Above are the only basic functions of car code reader, now more and more OBD2 code scanners has lots functions and color screen to make the diagnostic work easier.
Why OBD2 Car Code reader is required by every car’s owner ?
Now the car’s ownship is higher year by year, that means lots of car’s scanner tool is required by the car’s owner, they need to know the car’s status easily through the OBD2 code diagnostil tool. When a professional diagnostic technician uses a code reader, they often have prior experience with that type of code, giving them an idea of which components to test. Many professionals also have much more expensive and complicated scan tools with huge knowledge bases and diagnostic instructions.
If you cannot access such a tool, you can review basic trouble code and troubleshooting information online. For instance, if your car has an oxygen sensor trouble code, you would want to search for oxygen sensor testing procedures for your vehicle's make and model.
So all in all, a professional multi-function car code scanner is required, they help you to read and scan your car’s basic data, read the fault code and clean the code, moreover, lots of new car code readers built-in car battery test anlyze and test, O2 sensor test, EVAP system test, DTC data look up, supports live data display.It helps you to make a safe driving through the diagnostic tool of checking and know your car’s live status.
Post time: Mar-30-2023
