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retrotech60
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Join Date: Mar 2011
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Toyota Code Reader

03/12/2011 6:39 PM

I have a well used 2001 Camry that I intend to nurse along until the doors fall off. I believe I am at the point where I should purchase a code reader because the car is running very poorly and all the "common sense" adjustments have been made (Plugs, filters, etc). Can anyone recommend an affordable reader that will actually read all the codes? Seems there are several available, but I'd like to hear some recommendations.
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Pathfinder Tags: camry check engine light code reader obd2 Toyota
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bob c
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#1

Re: Toyota code reader

03/12/2011 10:31 PM

I own two of them. One is a cheap Launch brand device that I bought from Harbor Freight.It has no switches, no no buttons no nothing. Just a set of LEDs that light up in response to a signal from the computer. It has never failed and it must be ten years old by now. But, it only reads codes. Nothing else. The other one I have is from I-Nova. It can read codes, reset codes, tell if the car is in closed or open loop, and it can give me the readings on all of the sensors used on the car. 90 % of the time I can resolve an issue of Check Engine light on with the Launch unit. But I have sort of learned the cause and effect patterns of the ECMs. The Launch one was $59. The I-Nova was about $300, from NAPA. Why don,t you price one from Harbor Freight? I think they are cheaper now. Use that as far as you can. If you have questions, send them in, we will help walk you through any issues. The I-Nova can be intimidating till you learn some of the crap on these cars. Once you have the reader, it can be good for donations to the beer fund. Good luck.

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Jspeop
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#3
In reply to #1

Re: Toyota code reader

03/13/2011 12:42 AM

I'm like you Bob in that I have 2 scanners one is an Actron CP 9575 which I always have with me and is able to read both freeze frame and live data which I agree can be total overload until you learn what everything means and you learn all of the parameters that it will give you. It cost around $130 and has been very reliable.I also use the Edge Analysis advance as it allows an unbelievable capability but it is PC software and is not what I would recommend to the DIY because of not just the cost which is well over $1000 but also it gives you info that is highly advanced and requires a pretty steep learning curve to understand all of the info gathered.

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Graycav
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#5
In reply to #1

Re: Toyota code reader

03/14/2011 12:27 AM

The Harbor Freight best code reader goes for around $120 regularly but you cna catch it on sale for around $100.
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Garthh
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#6
In reply to #1

Re: Toyota code reader

03/14/2011 8:32 AM

Hey Bob

Any opinion on This?
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bob c
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Toyota code reader

03/14/2011 9:16 AM

The features available on this at the price shown make this a bargin. For $40. I would buy this if I did not have one.

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bob c
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#8
In reply to #7

Re: Toyota code reader

03/17/2011 1:40 PM

Thanks. They still had your credit card #, so I ordered two of them. Thanks again.

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Garthh
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#9
In reply to #8

Re: Toyota code reader

03/18/2011 12:28 AM

Good one made me look.

I had a check engine light on my 05 matrix

I started doing research & was about to buy, when I got a recall notice.

Toyota put in a new ECU, problem solved
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1Tryhackacar1
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#2

Re: Toyota code reader

03/13/2011 12:20 AM

You can get one on Ebay, just type OBD2 reader on the search box, I did get one a couple years ogo and its been great, it's from Ctools, I only paid like $30 or $34 dollars for it, but it does read all the codes, and also erase them, it does not has any bottoms but it does the same that one with bottoms.
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mjb1962853
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#4

Re: Toyota Code Reader

03/13/2011 9:21 AM

Do you really need to purchase one?

Most of the big chain auto part stores around here will "loan" you their service desk reader for the 5 minutes it takes to diagnose and reset offending code(s). About 80% of the time I use the loaner (on old 1998 & 1999 Fords), the store has the repair parts I need at or within a few pennies of the lowest cost around. The other times I just borrow it to reset the occasional nuisance codes that don't require actual service.

While I have had very good luck with most HF tools, my experience with their electronics has been mixed. Good luck!
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1Tryhackacar1 (1); bob c (3); Garthh (2); Graycav (1); Jspeop (1); mjb1962853 (1)

Previous in Forum: 2004 H2-Hummer   Next in Forum: 2000 Pontiac Montana Has Short In Turn Signal.

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