9
Spent $600 on a fancy scan tool that barely works on my 2005 F-150
Picked up a high-end Autel scanner a few months back because I was tired of borrowing my buddy's Snap-On. Figured $600 would get me something decent for diagnosing check engine lights and ABS codes. First week it worked fine on newer cars, but when I hooked it up to my old truck it couldn't even read the PCM. Had to dig out my old Actron just to pull a code for a misfire. Felt like a complete idiot spending that kind of cash for something that only covers half my jobs. Anyone else run into scan tools that just don't play nice with older vehicles?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
gray616d ago
That bit about it "barely working on a 2005" really sums up the frustration. Most of these new scan tools are built with the assumption everyone drives a 2010 or newer car, so they just completely ignore the older protocols. You basically paid $600 for a glorified code reader for your truck, which is a tough pill to swallow when a twenty dollar Bluetooth dongle can pull the same info. I think the manufacturers figure if you're keeping an old vehicle, you're probably not their target customer anymore.
1
the_charles15d ago
You figure they'd at least toss a bone to the folks keeping older iron on the road, right? A six hundred dollar paperweight that can't handle a 2005 is like buying a fancy new TV and finding out it doesn't work with anything older than a Blu ray player. These companies probably think we're all driving around in those self driving electric golf carts by now... Meanwhile my truck's ECU is just sitting there laughing at me. Guess I'll stick to my $20 Bluetooth dongle and a pile of forum threads, feels more honest anyway.
6
hart.cora12d ago
Honestly I used to be one of those people who thought "just get a newer scan tool, it'll cover everything." But seeing this really changed my mind. My buddy has a 2004 Silverado and I was telling him to save up for something nicer instead of using his cheap code reader. Now I feel stupid. These companies are straight up ignoring anyone who doesn't have a car from the last ten years. Like my cousin still daily drives a 2001 Civic and a $600 tool that can't even read his ABS codes is basically a scam. It's wild how much they take for granted that everyone's moved on to newer stuff.
4