From hand-held, dedicated units to software that turns PCs and Palm Pilots into powerful diagnostic scanners, auto enthusiasts today have a variety of methods available to make use of on-board diagnostic systems. And not only can they be used to diagnose operational faults, they can be used as low-budget data acquistion systems and dynamometers, so you can maximize your vehicle’s performance.
Beginning with why scanners are needed to work effectively on modern cars, this book teaches you how to choose the right scanner for your application, how to use the tool, and what each code means. “How To Use Automotive Diagnostic Scanners” is illustrated with photos and diagrams to help you understand OBD-I and OBD-II systems (including CAN) and the scanners that read the information they record. Also included is a comprehensive list of codes and what they mean. From catalytic converters and O2 sensors to emissions and automotive detective work, this is the complete reference for keeping your vehicle EPA-compliant and on the road!
ASIN : B00ZG0JGY0
Publisher : Motorbooks
Accessibility : Learn more
Publication date : August 1, 2015
Language : English
File size : 69.8 MB
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Not Enabled
Print length : 203 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1627886482
Page Flip : Enabled
Part of series : Motorbooks Workshop
Best Sellers Rank: #996,697 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store) #69 in Automotive Customization #135 in Automotive Repair (Kindle Store) #305 in Vehicle Owner’s Manuals & Maintenance Guides
Customer Reviews: 4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (396) var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });
William Burdick –
Glad I bought it. A superb book.
I’m an old guy who works on cars as a habit from years past and to save a buck when I can. I saw a scanner in Walmart for $98. I inferred that that product was legitimate, capable, and designed for people with my general level of ability. Online research let me confirm that, so I decided to buy a scanner. Spending extra money for a book is never easy, but it is something that I usually do. I’ve probably got sixty books over the years from auto body repair to engine rebuild.This book is a pearl. It is exceptionally high quality from a physical standpoint with sturdy pages and sturdy spine. It is well laid out visually with colors, white space, text, diagrams, and photos together very effectively. I think it is well organized subject-wise, and the subject selection and the depth/breadth of each were just right for me to get a handle on the world of the “Check Engine” light. Kudos to Motorbooks. The author says in the Preface that Motorbooks approached him to write the book. They knew what they were doing. Mr. Martin is a very effective author with knowledge, clarity, and a style that helps the reader learn a subject that could be messy. I now have more than a clue about OBD, and use my scanner with more understanding and confidence.
MikeMilw –
Fulfills the title and way more information
I bought this to learn a bit more than the manual tells me for my OBD2 scan tool.It has a great description on what the tools can do and what codes may or may not mean.I was surprised to find out it also covers quite a few troubleshooting and diagnostic tests beyond that.Vacuum leak troubleshooting, battery and charging tests, etc.A truly indispensable book.
johnny –
Good but could have been better..
Shortly after going on the market for a scan tool I quickly realized i needed an education on the features offered by these tools. I decided on this book since I was very satisfied with his other how to on electrical systems. Although it is a very good and informative book it left me wanting more in a couple of areas. First as stated on other reviews the scan tool coverage was quite limited. All 5 models of both the code reader and scan tool chapters are manufactured by the same company otc/spx. As such they all have the same limitations in vehicle coverage. I have a 99 & 09 chevy model vehicles and while the advertising for these readers states they cover 96 model years and up further research shows none of them cover vehicles past 08 for many of the more informative features which is why your spending money on a scan tool in the first place. So buyer beware and do further research before you make a purchase! It would have been nice to see other comparable standalone handheld units from different manufacturers. The second area that disappointed me was the section on laptop/pda interface scan tools. I was initially very excited when I got to this area being that i was completely unaware of this option. However the information in both of these sections was exremely limited when compared to the handheld scanners. Although just being made aware of these offerings was definitely a good thing. Overall I feel this is a very good book in bringing any prospective buyer of a scan tool up to speed on the many informative features these tools offer.
James Hughey –
How To Use Automotive Diagnostic Scanners: – Understand OBD-I and OBD-II Systems
Great information in this book. I bought this book as a refresher read for me, but also for my teenage grandson to read/study as i teach him about automotive / truck repair and the opportunities that may be available to him.J.R. , ASE Master Automobile Technician
NVM357 –
get what you pay for
Bought this to help a family member who came back and expressed a positive educational experience and recomend that I get one for myself. Which I did with this purchase
jimbo28 –
good info on some basics
The book has some good intro material. It is well written but very brief and only touching on the most basic info. Always leaves you asking more questions then it answers. Its attempt at comparing scanners is useless, much better info is available on the internet for free. There are 2 chapters and 40 pages on scan tools and tells you nothing more than what you would see in the manufacturers advertisement. Not a bad book but not worth the money.
Jean Demers –
Very detailed book on scan codes. Helped so much.
Got a new scanner from Amazon, needed a detailed book on explaining codes. Worked out perfect. Thanks so much.✌️
John H. –
Good basic knowledge
This book also gives some history of the Automotive computer systems. It helps to know as much as you can about the system you are working on. This is not an advanced book but is great for the home mechanic. Just having the code list handy in the garage is worth it to me. There are some valuable basic (Electronic problem) troubleshooting tips in it too.
TheSolutore –
Non ho dato il massimo come stelle unicamente perché non ho ancora terminato la lettura ma giudico l’opera di ottimo livello.Se non avete stacoli con la lingua (il mio iivello è scolastico di oltre 25 anni fa) si riesce a leggere e comprendere bene ricorrendo di rado al vocabolario e se venisse tradotto non esiterei a ricomprarlo.Ottima base di partenza per comprendere il progresso storico, le opinioni che potreste esservi fatti si meccanici nell’era ODB e con le attuali versioni ODB2.Non si diventerà tecnici superspecializzati ma, se siete già semplici appassionati della materia, si potra capire meglio come funzionano i moderni motori ed evitare di farvi “prendere in braccio” da meccanici troppo sbrigativi nel sostituire sensori che poi non portano alla risoluzione dei difetti.Insomma, non una lettura da “prima di dormire” ma una tranquilla lettura proficua da “sotto l’ombrellone”.
Gadget nut –
Great book lots of information that I didn’t have a clue on,a definite buy for this type of information.
Arthurs –
Muy buen libro para aprender a usar los Scanners automotrices.
Snagrider –
After 50 years of building and playing with cars I find you can no longer fix them with a set of AF spaners and a big hammer! I wanted to understand how they now work. This book is American and the examples and pictures are Ford, GM and Chrysler, but it is written very well and is easy for an old boy like me to understand what happens in modern cars. It explains how and why the departure from carbs to fuel injection came about and the need and development of computer control on board the car. I am only half way through the book but it has opened my eyes to the dramatic changes that have taken place in the last 20 years (led by an obsession in lowering exhaust pollution at the expense of polluting the world with the pollution generated in constructing replacement vehicles and destroying the redundant ones!). This book is a good starting point if you are thinking of investing in a scanner. Cars are a lot cleverer than me these days, but yes I have purchased a scanner and may give it a go!
Batelmo1 –
I bought this book primarily to help me decide which type of scanner to buy. Because it was written by an American 5 years ago,the information presented for making this choice was not as relevant as it might have been to the current U.K. market. However, I gained enough information from it to make an informed choice and the scanner I bought (Creader 6) does pretty much all I need for not too much money. Incidently it is worth looking at American suppliers to buy a scanner at a good price even with the extra P & P.The book gives a lot of easily understood background information on engine principles and electronic engine control. I’ve played with cars for 50 years now, and finished up teaching the subject towards the end of my working life, so I already knew about a lot of the book’s content. That said, the layout, written explanations, picture and diagram content are well done and make the book a worthwhile buy.