My dear old 2002 Toyota Tundra has 290 k . In spite of my TLC, it occasionally needs some work. My neighbor loans me his fault code reader once in a while, and I'd like to get my own. Several auto parts stores in Fairbanks have them, and they seem to run $40-300. How much does a basic-maintenance-guy need to spend? I was surprised to find out that all vehicles sold in NA have the same plug in and can be read on the same code readers. Thanks. Happy Monday!

i picked up one that cost 20 on amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think the price went up 2 dollars , it uses blue tooth to your smart phone , plug it in and synch you need to down load the app for your phone it actually work with a few application.

I put in a wifi extender so I can get internet in my drive way and I can look up the codes right fromt eh driver seat

it also works while driving and gives a lot of info

just can't look up codes on wifi while driving have to use data for that

same OBDII plug since around 1993 94

in 95-96 I trained with a Snap-on code reader around 2K plus cartridge updates
this unit does about everything I could remember doing with the snap-on and with a bigger screen on my phone than the little lcd readout on the snap-on


this blue tooth OBDII reader is a reader / scanner
this is one of the info screens it also gives vacuum on another screen and it will put a bunch of this info into dials or graphs I feel like it was worth the 20 dollars

this is my 04 gmc 1500 idling in the drive way

A code reader will give you a code, and not much else. They're better than nothing, but not much help. A scan tool will not only give you the code,but will also display data that the computer is seeing. You cannot properly diagnose a check engine light without good data. You can make a good guess, or perhaps look up a code on Google and get a common cause for a given code, with a code reader, but a scan tool that'll give you some data is far better,, as long as you're able to interpret the data. If you can't interpret that data, you're probably better off with a code reader.

$15-$25 Bluetooth OBDII Reader

Torque App for phone or tablet. May cost $5 for the "full version."

Always updated information, search for codes online from App.

Get a scanner, not just a code reader. Sometimes it's helpful to watch the output from various sensors in real time. Not every problem leaves a trouble code in memory for a code reader to read. I bought mine a long, long time ago when they were still expensive. It's saved me dozens of times that cost in repair costs. I would get a cheap one. If it breaks, get another cheap one. Check the reviews on Amazon before you buy.

Why doesn’t Detroit put readers in all cars? Couldn’t cost much and I predict their service departments would get more business. Back when Onstar was on new GMs, their call center would provide information if a service light came on.

Pre OBD1&OBD2 , lots of cars had 'flasher' displays that after turning the ignition switch on/off several times , would give you a crude code to aid in diagnosis.

OBD2 scanners give you much more information.

I think I paid $70 for model I use.

Thank you all. Just ordered one in GCP's link. It had decent reviews and if it's inadequate, I won't have much into it. It sounds more capable than the one I've borrowed a few times. Thanks again .