Im wondering what code reader(s) are available for the MS 3.0?
...I dont want to go hog wild on a top end one since Im only interested in smog issues that may come up from time to time,and the only car I have thats not exempt from smog tests are 2- 2001 montero sports.

 

Hi PalmSprings...i have a generic blue tooth obd code reader..works well when you just want the basic obd2 stuff,but i can’t access srs,abs and tranny codes. I pair it with Torque app.. same app i used to check my faulty temp guage and o2 sensor and cat issues..i did purchase a foxwell nt630 pro on ebay that states it does read srs and abs codes for the 01-03 montero but turned out it doesn’t so I had to return it. I also emailed icarsoft but they told me it doesn’t work on my montero too.

 

Carlsson..Thx,Ill see where and how much for it. Guess Ill try amazon first.

 

I got a generic (old) OBDII code reader I had for many years. I got it because I got tired of repair shops charging $70 to read a CEL code. That one is simple and it does not have live data stream. Few years back I got AutoEnginuity scanner for PC. That one allows getting more in depth data on the engine including live data monitoring.

 

Thx Hunter

 

I recently got my hands on a fairly inexpensive OBDII coder reader CReader 4001 by Launch. Reading its description, I was very skeptical, but at the end I was actually pleasantly surprised. Tested it on my '01 Montero, works pretty well. There is no paper instructions with it, so you have to figure out how to get around it on your own. It does have Help menu built in. it allows you to look up info for codes and parameters, but the reader has to be plugged into the vehicle or PC to do that. The best part of this little scanner is live data stream. It can show up to three different data streams at once. Many people on this forum struggle with O2 sensor codes, etc. You can actually display any one of the O2 sensors (Bank 1 or 2, Sensor 1 or 2) and see what data PCM is getting from them. You can also see live data for MAF, engine RPM, engine load, fuel trims, coolant temp, etc. The cool thing is that since this unit is pretty small, you can keep it in the car all the time. I'm going to see if one of these days I can catch the temp gauge flare-up we all familiar with and see how it relates to the temp data PCM is getting.
This reader also has "graphing" ability for data. "Graphing" is in quotations, because it is not set up very well for some parameters. You can only see what the Max and Min values for the given data and then the line is drawn somewhere in between. It works better for some parameters than for others. But you can see data changes when you rev the engine. Anyhow, I would put this reader somewhere in between my OBDII reader and the diagnostic software I have on my PC.

 

Hi HunterD....can it read abs and srs codes? Thanks.

 

No, just the engine codes.

 

Oh ok..i’m always on the look out for readers that can.

 

If and when you do find one, post here what you found and how well it works.