wlkstout Posted February 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Schurkey. Which one do you use on an OBD1 vehicle? I have only been able to find the blinking light ones and none that read info on them. I do have an obd2 scanner i use on my other vehicles to monitor data but it is not capable of reading OBD1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55trucker Posted February 17, 2016 Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Any of the major brands will do, most scanners will read both systems provided you have the needed cable hardware for OBD1 and the necessary cartridges. OTC Pathfinder series Genisys series Snap-on Ethos Matco determinator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlkstout Posted February 17, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2016 Thanks. Will have to look into one if it ever becomes uncooperative again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schurkey Posted February 20, 2016 Report Share Posted February 20, 2016 Mine is an ancient Snap-On "Red Brick" MTG2500. This is the same--and uses the same software--as the more-common MT2500, except that it has an additional Graphing function. MT2500 that I sold several years ago. I think I got $250 or so for it, had software suitable for domestic engine, transmission, and ABS '81--'01. (No Asian, no European support.) Red Bricks with software and adapter harnesses are available on eBay all the time. Price varies greatly with the software package included, and with the number of vehicle adapters included. Software new enough to diagnose '99 and older is very inexpensive. Prices for bricks + software for newer-than-'99 increases considerably. Snap-On support for the Red Bricks ended years ago. The newest software for them is 2009. The Solus replaced the Red Brick, and now Snap-On has quit supporting the Solus. They may still support the Solus Pro, and Solus Ultra. My points are: 1. I would rather have "used" professional-level tools than brand-new consumer-grade tools; and 2. Once the product has no factory support, the prices come down because it's not suitable for in-shop use except perhaps as a supplement to the more-modern scan tools. Bargains exist! 3. On the down-side, once factory support ends, if you have a problem with your tool...you're pretty-much S-O-L. Oh, yeah--Don't confuse a "code reader" (junk) with a true "scan tool". A scan tool allows you to access the data stream; and may include a method to activate certain soleoids or actuators from the tool, so you can verify the solenoids/actuators work. A scan tool can be used to read codes and lots more, but a code-reader cannot be used for anything beyond code-reading. primergray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlkstout Posted February 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Schurkey- Great info thank you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worb4me Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Great thread, thanks for keeping us updated wlk. I‘ve seen these things on youtube and whatnot. Curious to know what‘s inside these red bricks. Are schematics available? Pictures of the boards? There are the means to connect laptops to a car‘s computer. Don‘t know a thing about this stuff, but need to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worb4me Posted June 5, 2016 Report Share Posted June 5, 2016 Posted to wrong thread, content removed. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.