Customer Reviews

Actron CP9145 AutoScanner Diagnostic Code Scanner with Live, Record and Playback Data Capability for OBDII Vehicles

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

First of all, my background is as an electronics technician and engineer. I have designed electronic control circuitry for textile mills that used the same principles found in automotive computers. I got fascinated by automotive computers when my local dealership was unable to fix a problem that caused the check engine light to repeatedly come on.

Before buying a scanner, I read everything I could get my hands on, about automotive computers and looked very closely at the different scanner choices available.

Nothing prepared me for what this scanner actually does. The main 3 automotive manufacturers all build some diagnostics into their computers.

This scanner will let you take advantage of any other onboard diagnostics that exists. If you own a Ford product, the onboard computer and this scanner will perform a very impressive range of diagnostics that nobody else has mentioned in their reviews, and product descriptions don't describe, such as a 'wiggle test' to see if you have a bad connector between a sensor and the onboard computer, checking the spark plugs and spark plug wires and overall cylinder performance. It will activate individual solenoids, to diagnose that kind of problems. It will help diagnose air conditioning problems, overloading of the transmission, and many other situations that were much more than I was led to expect by reading the product descriptions and reviews. I must make it clear that Ford products seem to be the only ones listed as having such a wide range of diagnostics, although GM and Chrysler additional diagnostics were described. This Scanner seems to be able to work with whatever diagnostics are available.

I had planned to connect it to each of my vehicles and take sensor readings before I had problems, to help me spot anything out of range when a problem occurred. It turns out that I didn't need to. It already has normal ranges for just about any make and model of car or light truck, including Asian or European.

I was blown away. Tell this scanner what make and model you are connecting it to, and already has a wide library of information available to compare with what you are seeing, tell you if anything is out of range, and make use of whatever onboard computer diagnostics are available.

Finally, the Amazon price seems to be the low price anywhere. You can easily pay $400 for this scanner, elsewhere. Also, I compared it with the Snap On $800 shop scanner and the only thing the Snap On does, which this doesn't, is display very specific diagnostic steps necessary to pinpoint problems. That, however, is the same information you can get from other places, and much of it is for free.

This is an excellent choice for anyone.

Outstanding unit. Does all that the dealer does and charges you $90 for. Use 3-4 times and your money is paid back. Know what the problem is and buy the necessary repair parts to fix yourself. Save hundreds and have the satisfaction the job was done right. Definitely use the computer disc and read the manual. Great product and easy to follow manual. Highly recommend if your car/truck is out of warranty.

I experienced very good service from Amazon in receiving my scanner on time. The product was packaged well, and although this was my first time using a scanner, I found it very easy to use after getting familiar with a few parts of the manual. The quality seems excellent. I tried it on my Toyota Matrix (all systems good), then tried it on my wife's Volvo S90. It uncovered a bad transmission sensor, which explains some of the shifting problems we had during the colder weather. It was very nice being able to turn off the check engine light (I know I saved a little money on that one). I did find the connector a little hard to release from both cars, but nothing serious enough to rate the product less than 5. At first, I was going to purchase a less expensive model, but my wife convinced me to upgrade to this model. That was a smart decision and I would highly recommend this model to anyone.

In the other reviews, you get all the positive aspects of the device; all of which are true. It's got a good display; vehicle list is updated, etc., etc. It's nearly idiot proof.

But beware: if you want communication between the scanner and a computer, this is not the scanner to purchase. The device has a RS-232 serial connection; leaving the user stranded with outmoded technology. It appears the user can print directly to a printer, but it has to be a serial printer. I didn't know serial printers were still being manufactured!

I'm sure with more research, I could figure out how to link the device with my PC; but then what software would I use? The OBDII diagnostic software included with the device is also lacking. With big, blocky letters, limited pull down menus, and a cheesy VW Bug icon it appears to be written for the Win-3.x OS.

I give it Two Stars less than perfect for Actron CP9145 for poor connectivity and software.

Well packaged, in a vinyl zipper bag which tucks the manual and CD safely in a compartment, the unit itself is held in place with a velcro strap. It also comes with an extender interface cable to allow you to place the scanner on the passenger seat.

I had a check engine light on and isolated the problem (rear O2 sensor) within minutes. Next up I need to replace it, check again and clear the code. Hopefully this will be as easy as it's been up to now.

Two features I'd like to see are a contrast control for the LCD screen and a backlight for low-light use. I was checking my car after work and it was dark out. The dome light in my car worked, but with LCD screens a backlight would make better sense.

[see comment for the outcome of post-replacement of the failed O2 sensor]

I am familiar with a full range of diagnostic tools and techniques. Everything from large flow charts, a multi-meter, bookelets and huge amounts of time to comically oversized built in garage systems. Pound for pound this the best compromise I have seen. Snap on offers some impressive functionality, with even more impressive (massive) prices. The 9150 is neat with all the accessories, except even full time garages would do well to consider if the customer base they serve really will need the full set of connectors. In fact I have seen several area garages that use the 9135.
If I were paying list I would to, but, I got my 9145 on Amazon for 209.99 less 25 and they offer free shipping (slow free shipping-but you get what you pay for) The update-ability and upgrade ability along with the ability to read MFG specific codes mean paying the difference from the 9135 is worth while, and IF you ever want an older car adaptor they are available singly.

If you work on 1996 vehicles and newer, this is a must have tool. It is very user friendly and will help you track down a faulty sensor. It will also clear the check engine light and clear your codes, saving you a trip to a shop that has a scanner. One more thing, it gives you "Real Time" information on what your sensors are reading when the vehicle is running.

I did alot of research and found this scanner to be the best bang for the buck. I've heard people saying the light has to be on for this scanner to work but I don't think this is true. I was able to pull a code after my light had gone off for some time on its own.

And as far as the real time data scanner goes I think it was worth spending the extra money on this tool as compared to the lower end tools.(As long as you know what you are looking at) If you really don't know much about emmissions and the sensors in your car don't spend the extra money. It will be of little or no use to you.

This is a diagnosing tool and will not fix your problems for you. It will only point you in the right direction to fix it yourself and will erase the code after the problem is solved. This tool does everything it is supposed to do.

I have only used this tool once so far and I belive it has paid for itself.(Between diagnosing, Labor and Parts$$$$ that I would have otherwise paid a shop to do).

This review is not from a Novice. I have used many scan tools both handheld and PC based, and currently own Auto X-Ray and LS1M and Elmscan and Bowser Electronics and more. This tool was very limited in what I was able to do with my vehicle. Although some of the documentation listed "Knock Retard" as a viewable option, I was completely unable to get this tool to show me that parameter. WORSE YET, THE COMPANY WHO MAKES THIS PRODUCT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MEANS FOR YOU TO CONTACT THEM. They have a support hot line that answers and gives a menu, but any option you try gives busy signals. I literally tried dozens of times over the course of a full week and was unable to reach anyone in sales, support, or even an operator. THIS ALONE was reason enough to return the product, but I'd certainly say either their product was defective or their description was misleading as to how much detail their tool gives. I was completely unable to get this tool to show anything more than very generic OBDII parameters. There are way cheaper tools out there that will do these basic functions. I've returned mine, and recommand you avoid this one.

I am a do-it-yourselfer, and I bought the Actron CP9145 to help me diagnose problems, when dashboard "idiot lights" are flashing and such. Well, I've now had the opportunity to try it out with four different cars (3 Fords and 1 Volkswagen), and I must say, I expected a lot more functionality, for the money. In all cases the device did interact with the cars' computers properly, reading operational statistics like fluid temperature, car speed, O2 sensors, etc. However when it came to diagnosing real problems, it was only helpful if the "Check Engine" light was on (it told me I had an emissions system leak). It is useless in diagnosing other idiot lights (in my case, air bag, cruise control and 4WD system lights). Other issues: the accompanying software CD is a joke (It just looks up codes and gives you the same one-liner message you get from any manual. Why not a nice monitoring application, with a time-based graph?), no power adapter was provided, and even the carrying case had a broken zipper.

I think an OBD-II scanner is still useful for diagnosing "Check Engine" conditions. But my recommendation is to save half your money and buy a low-end tool.