Code Reader advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Steinfeld
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R

Richard Steinfeld

I just bought a 2000 Sonata.

For my last car, a '92 Ford, I purchased an affordable code
reader from Taiwan for the vehicle's EEC-IV code set. This
Ford-specific reader rendered the codes stored in the vehicle's
computer on a digital display. Being able to see the codes for
myself gave me a sense of independence, self-reliance, and
assurance. I'd feel disempowered if I couldn't do the same thing
with my Hyundai.

For those of you who aren't familiar with this type of
technology, I'll explain a little. Our cars now are controlled by
a central computer, as well as one or more additional computers.
As an example, my Aerostar had individual computers for the
antilock brakes, the windshield wipers/washers, and the dome
light. The main computer is programmed with a large library of
trouble codes. The entire system is constantly being scanned;
individual components are polled for their status -- the computer
makes adjustments while the car is being driven. Any deviations
from standard ranges represent malfunctions; these malfunctions
are assigned specific codes by the computer. Those codes are
stored in memory, and they are used to help diagnose what's
wrong. Automotive code systems can be divided into two ranges:
one range is standard to all vehicles; the second range is
specific to that brand. Without a code reader, you're usually in
the dark about what's going on.

The vehicle owner can be at a disadvantage when there's a
breakdown. Let's say that the car acts up, or the "check engine"
light comes on. You're in the middle of vast Wyoming: what to do?
You drive nervously over to the nearest garage. You're then told,
"We've got to put it on the computer." The charge for putting
your car "on the computer" is $95, and "We've got so many cars
ahead of yours, we won't be able to hook it up until Saturday."
With your own code reader, you cut through the BS: you go, "I'm
getting a 192. How soon can you change my oxygen sensor?"

Where I live, Kragen is advertising an Innova code reader for the
OBD II code set, model 3100. It's $99 after rebate. It also
resets the "Check Engine" light. I'd like to know if this unit
will work well with my 2000 Sonata. Does the Sonata use the OBD
II codes? Is an additional purchase required to set it up for my
vehicle?

I'll add, too, that this Inova is the manufacturer of my Ford
code reader. My Ford code reader is well designed, well made,
uses standard flashlight batteries, and uses the batteries
intelligently. In other words, the thing is a winner.

Please someone let me know if I should buy this thing.

Thanks in advance.

Richard
 
Your Sonata and all 1996 and newer vehicles are OBD-II compliant. Check
the company's literature for any vehicles it may have difficulty
communicating with. I have been told that some generic OBD-II readers
have difficulties with some OBD-II vehicles.
 
| Your Sonata and all 1996 and newer vehicles are OBD-II
compliant. Check
| the company's literature for any vehicles it may have
difficulty
| communicating with. I have been told that some generic OBD-II
readers
| have difficulties with some OBD-II vehicles.
|

I assume that by "the company," you mean the manufacturer of the
generic code reader, Innova (Equus).

I queried the mfr last night, specific to Hyundai 2000 Sonata.
They answered: "All Powertrain (emissions related) DTCs." (A
thorough answer, huh?)

Would this be adequate for the vehicle, or are there stored codes
for other systems that this generic device will not read? I see,
too, that the tech didn't mention ease of use with the car. I'll
see if I can get the people on the phone.

Thanks

Richard
 
I saw your post earlier & did a bit of checking on the 'net'. One retailer
of a cheaper code reader I contacted claims that it must be ISO type of OBD
II/2, listing Toyota, Nissan & Dodge as some of such vehicles using the ISO
OBD II/2. This is for a 'CReader' trade name. Would like to hear if any
readers have used such.
Also your point of having such a device is well taken, my XG being a few
weeks past warranty. The service light came on for the first time ever about
5 days after expiry. Living in the boonies where we are, it is a whole day
of mountain roads & ferries to get to the only 'local??' dealer. I had a
nearby garage give me the code (for a gas tank purge/vent problem) looked up
the TSB on line & was able to fix it in the drive way. Turns out that the
purge valve on the charcoal filter has a miniature air cleaner right behind
the lt. rear wheel. Well as soon as I read that I figured mine would be
plugged & sure enough when I freed the little devil from it's suspended
hanger, it was loaded in dry caked mud. Banged it, shook it, sweared at it &
blew it out; reinstalled; reset & voila, all is well again --until next
time. Yep, a code reader is a real good idea.
Thanks,
BC in BC
 
| I saw your post earlier & did a bit of checking on the 'net'.
One retailer
| of a cheaper code reader I contacted claims that it must be ISO
type of OBD
| II/2, listing Toyota, Nissan & Dodge as some of such vehicles
using the ISO
| OBD II/2. This is for a 'CReader' trade name. Would like to
hear if any
| readers have used such.
| Also your point of having such a device is well taken, my XG
being a few
| weeks past warranty. The service light came on for the first
time ever about
| 5 days after expiry. Living in the boonies where we are, it is
a whole day
| of mountain roads & ferries to get to the only 'local??'
dealer. I had a
| nearby garage give me the code (for a gas tank purge/vent
problem) looked up
| the TSB on line & was able to fix it in the drive way. Turns
out that the
| purge valve on the charcoal filter has a miniature air cleaner
right behind
| the lt. rear wheel. Well as soon as I read that I figured mine
would be
| plugged & sure enough when I freed the little devil from it's
suspended
| hanger, it was loaded in dry caked mud. Banged it, shook it,
sweared at it &
| blew it out; reinstalled; reset & voila, all is well
again --until next
| time. Yep, a code reader is a real good idea.
| Thanks,
| BC in BC
|

Thanks for your input, BC. It's a good story.
I just came home with the code reader, which will cost $100 USD
after the rebate. I called the manufacturer. Here's what the tech
said:
The reader will read out codes related to emissions and
drivability. It will not render other codes, such as body
(doubtful these exist with Hyundai), ABS, airbag, and traction
control (if fitted). For this second group, one needs a
professional scan tool, and here, we're talking around $500-1,000
USD.

The only thing that I don't know, and may have to learn from
experience, is whether or not some craziness may be involved in
getting the two devices to talk with each other.

My experience with a '92 Ford is that the ABS, airbag, and
windshield wipers, were each controlled by their own discreet
computers, in addition to the central computer for the
transportation. My Equus/Innova code reader for that series of
Fords was excellent; it naturally was limited to the main
computer, as is the Innova 3100 code reader that I just bought.
The Ford's air bag computer was easily read via the air bag
light. For example, my air bag light would flash, intermittantly,
three times, then two times, repeatedly. 3 + 2 is a "code 32."
Code 32 reports a connection problem, probably a loose or dirty
connecter on the air snorkel caused by my tugging on it. In other
words, it may be a simple matter to get at the codes originated
by the non-emissions systems.

This device is on sale right now at Kragen (and affiliated
chains, I think). So, if you're thinking of one, I can say that
my experience with another reader from this company was
excellent. Hyundaitech and other technicians may feel otherwise,
and I'd love to hear from them.

My former code reader was sold with an optional cable that I
bought ($20). This allowed some tests to be performed dynamically
with me in the driver's seat. The salesman said that my new tool
already comes with a cable that's long enough to permit the same
kinds of usage.

The man who I bought my Hyundai from had taken the car to a chain
tuneup and oil change shop. They charged him $25 to shut off the
"check engine" light. I don't know why it came on, but since the
car passed its smog test, I figure that it was OK to kill the
light. My point is, though, that for the $100 investment in this
tool, I can turn off the same light myself with the push of a
button. Note that there's a cause for this light's illuminating,
and resetting the light does not eliminate the reason for why it
came on.

I think I'm going to like this gizmo.

Richard
 
I've no experience using any generic code readers besides those in the
manufacturer's scan tools themselves. The Hyundai/Kia tool is very
finicky. I've had no issues with the Chrysler DRB. And the GM Tech 2
doesn't even have a generic code reader.
 
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