Customer Reviews

Actron CP9180 AutoScanner Plus Diagnostic Code Scanner with Live, Record and Playback Data Capability and O2 Monitor Test for OBDII Vehicles

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I got this scanner and am initially pleased with the capabilities of it as a diagnostic tool. There are, however, some things you need to be aware of. Some of the advanced monitoring functions do not work on all cars. For example, the vehicle identification data does not work for pre-2000 vehicles (but then, I did not need that function anyway). I was able to pull the DTC's from my car, see what it meant (I had one DTC that turned on the CEL), then I was able to read what the sensors were seeing at the time of failure, as well as a great deal of engine data from the "Freeze Frame Data" function. The live sensor data function works partially for my car, again, this is a function that may not work on older cars. The advertisement leads one to believe that this will work for all cars - be aware of this. It can print the results using the USB cable that comes with the unit. The printing function can be enhanced by copying the displayed data into the clipboard and pasting it into an editor program (like Notepad). I found this to be a better way to print the results. The software on the CD is VERY basic - not much help with the codes. There is a LOT more data available on the internet.

The tool is easy to use and easily connects to and from different cars. Some of the advanced diagnostic data that it will capture is not easily understood unless you get some detailed instructions from the car manufacturer. There is a good wikipedia with the PID codes for those who want more information to go through (look up OBD-II PIDS).

I am not an expert, but I researched these quite a bit and have used other cheaper OBDII readers before. This has nice advanced features like freeze frame capture and real time sensor monitors. The advanced features are probably only useful if you know what the readings should be, so this is not a beginner's tool. This seems to be in the "sweet spot" of these products before the prices go up exponentially with higher-end models. It supports the newest CAN bus. This is a good tool for the advanced home mechanic.

I give it only 4 stars because unlike the Equus products, there is no "quick view" summary screen when you first hook it up. It is also a little slower to connect and retrieve data. The display is not as clear as the Equus model and the menus also take a lot more clicking on buttons to navigate the various menus/levels, BUT you can see more lines of data that way once you're there compared to the Equus product. A minor irritation is that although it is USB, it is not real USB. It is some kind of serial over USB and installs a bunch of drivers that assign an old-fashioned COM port. I was trying to avoid that with the equivalent Equus product which is very similar. A final nit is that the case supplied is some generic case and no way fits the tool. It is about 3X too big so the tool and cables sort of flop around inside.

Other recommendations: You can get better/more detailed code info off the Internet. If all you want to do is pull codes or reset them to spare yourself from getting ripped off at the dealer, then there are cheaper products that will do that. If you want to diagnose things yourself, then this is a good choice.

No, this thing won't fix your vehicle for you. But, it does tell you what code is making your Check Engine Light come on. That information, and some research in a shop manual or on the web (or by asking the right friend), can lead you to a faulty component without paying a dealer $75 or more just to scan your computer and tell you what code(s) are set. Two or three problems solved and your purchase is paid for.

I have used a professional scan tool (Matco) that a mechanic friend lent me. This product is not as ruggedly built; but, I'm not going to be using it day-in day-out like my friend does with his scanner. The Actron unit is certainly rugged enough for the do-it-yourselfer. The supplied case will protect it from being knocked around in your tool box. The case is big enough to hold the scanner, OBD cable, USB cable, owners manual, and the CD that has the software.

Functionally, it does everything the professional unit does and then some.

Reading the stored code told me that I had a "long term fuel trim" fault. The Record Data function allowed me to record six different engine conditions while driving, view them on my PC, copy them into an e-mail, and send them to my buddy to analyze.

After looking at the data, he said to clean my mass air flow sensor. That took 10 minutes, and half a can of brake cleaner. Result, my truck runs better, and the check engine light doesn't come on anymore.

I figure I have the unit half paid for already.

On my way to work one morning my 2004 Tacoma's check engine light came on. No big deal, everything seemed normal. No driveability problems. Assuming that whatever was wrong would still be covered under the 5yr./60,000 drive train warranty I took it back to my dealership. There I was informed that the problem probably would not be a warranty issue and the diagnostic charge would be $120.00 unless the fault was covered by the warranty. At this point I said go ahead and check it out. As it turned out it was a defective ECM (Engine Control Module)and would be replaced under warranty. The dealer ordered the part and a few days later it was replaced. End of story? Not quite. About a week later the check engine light came on again. Now I'm faced with another trip to the dealership and the possibility of spending $120.00 for the diagnostic check.
At that point I checked Amazon.com for code scanners and came across the Actron CP9180. The price was good and it seemed like it was very full featured, so I ordered it. I'm glad I did. The scanner said the fault this time was the #2 oxygen sensor (bad O2 sensor at about 15,000 miles?). Although I haven't replaced said sensor at this time I was able to clear the fault code and thus turn of the check engine lamp. Sofar I've had no further malfunctions. It may have been a minor glitch due to the new ECM. But I am monitoring my fuel economy and general engine operation.
I must say the CP9180 is very easy to use. A nice feature is the ability to clear the fault codes and reset the check engine light. Other features allow the user to do real time monitoring of engine performance as the vehicle is driven and then download the data to your PC and print out this info via the USB cable that comes with the scanner. Although the CP9180 is not cheap, all in all I think it's money well spent. When you're faced with diagnostic charges of $100.00 or more, a couple of these and this unit will have paid for itself and then some. Even though you may not do the repair work yourself it may prove helpful if you're forearmed with a bit of knowledge before you take your vehicle to a repair facility. You'll have some idea if the recommended repairs are legitimate or you're being scammed. Also, if you have a couple of vehicles in the family that's more potential savings.
I would definitely recommend this product. It's easy to use, has plenty of features and can be used on OBD1 compliant vehicle as well, with the purchase of an optional cable. You can update the scanner's software by going to Actron's website and following the links (it's easy-takes just a few minutes). A great product.

The Actron CP9180 AutoScanner Plus Diagnostic Code Scanner with Live, Record and Playback Data Capability and O2 Monitor Test for OBDII (Post-1996) Vehicles is a potentially useful tool if you have a problem with the powertrain or the oxygen sensor or just want to know more about your vehicle's current performance. The tool is easy to use and the instruction manual is clear. It is easy to program in a specific make and model of car. And it is pretty cool to see the real-time output of things like vehicle speed and some other key information.

The tool has some real limiations, however, in that it only reads powertrain codes. It is not a full-featured scanner that might be found at an OEM Service Center (and it doesn't cost nearly as much either). If you have a car with a body control module problem, this scanner will not read the codes. The packaging makes no pretenses that it can read them, but I did not find any indication that they were excluded either. My car did have a body control module issue so I was not able to see these codes using this device. The user may be able to dismiss powertrain control module problems as a source of trouble just by noting that these codes are not showing up and then focusing on what else could be causing their problem.

The scanner appears to be robustly built and the display is easy to read and adjust if necessary. The long cord makes it easy to position the device inside or near the hood of the vehicle which may make trouble-shooting easier for the mechanic.

If all I wanted to do was read the powertrain codes and clear code messages, I would probably purchase the lower end pocket model and save several dollars since these Actron gadgets are available for about $40 USD.

GREAT PRODUCT! This tool is very intuitive and easy to use. I find the greatest value is in having the MIL codes internal to the device, which makes finding the faulty component right at your fingertips. I bought the OBDII Fault code book, but quickly learned that I didn't need to have it.

Preface: Professional industrial machinery engineer. Cars are simple compared to what I work on all day. So maybe I'm not a "shadetree mechanic". I have no brand loyalty, nor am I getting a kickback of any sort for this review. I just needed a good scan tool, NOW. I wish this one had been available 10 years ago. My son is a professional, ASE certified auto mechanic, and this is better than his, by his own admission.
1) 9V battery not included (only needed if not connected to vehicle).
2)Worked flawlessly out of the box. Didn't read the manual and figured it out in about 5 minutes flat. Intuitive menus. Clear, plain english fault description.
3) You'll read on the internet that the computer software that comes with it is junk. I'm running Vista 32 Home Premium and the software installed and worked flawlessly. Not a single "work around" or problem. However, I'm also a computer geek, so what I regard as normal might drive somebody else nuts. You have to "install" your scan tool in the software for it to know what to update/ look at. Took 12 minutes to flash the tool to the latest software version. Another 10 to update the scan tool computer software suite.
4)Used it to diagnose a 1999 Neon prior to purchase. Check engine light on. Tool said "cylinder #3 misfire". Checked plugs and wires. Found all spark plugs loose, particularly #3. Tightened. Car runs great. Cleared codes in ECM. No new faults. Dealer mechanic and salesman looked at me like I was a wizard. Because I did this and gave the mechanical and electrical system a thorough inspection (and found several minor problems), they knocked $700 off their price. (Tool paid for itself 5 times over in the first day). Even the GM dealer (Neon being a Chrysler product)Didn't have a scantool like this that would read multiple MFG (generic) OBD-II codes. Plugged it into my 2000 and 2003 Corolla's; and my 2009 GMC Van. Communicated flawlessly. Note: It's a little slow, but thorough. Gent at Advance Auto says this one is better than the one they use. In other words, this is a moderately priced, powerful, upgradeable, nearly "obsolete proof" Scanner, better than some "professional" auto technicians use. Note: WILL NOT READ PRE-1996 OBD-I OR ANY MANUFACTURER SPECIFIC CODES. NOR WILL IT READ "BODY" OR "ABS" OR OTHER NON-ENGINE/ EMISSIONS CODES. But I promise you, on anything newer and for basic diagnosis, "check engine" light problems it's all you'll need. I would recommend it to friends, enemies, and my own mother if she needed one.

This package includes the scanner, manual, OBD-II cable, USB cable and PC software. Of that, the scanner and cables are excellent, functioning as expected on my 1999 Maxima and 1997 Camry (I am clearly not known for my cool cars). I ran all diagnostics for both and was able to lookup codes.

The manual is decent, but leaves something to be desired. For example, on my Maxima I discovered that I needed to turn the key on (engine off) for the scanner to work almost by accident, since the part of the manual that mentions it is not the part that describes connecting the scanner to the car.

The PC software is truly pitiful. It has GPF-ed multiple times (this is when Windows XP pops up a dialog box telling me the application has done something illegal and will be terminated). It appears to hang when reading from the scanner, only coming back to life when the scanner is turned off. When that happens, the software loses the last of the data transmitted by the scanner. The software pins a CPU during this time: it appears that it reads the USB port by polling for data and the code loop that polls does not sleep or relinquish control willingly to Windows. Finally, data is transferred as text that more-or-less duplicates what prints on the scanner's display. Admittedly, I am picky because I write software and firmware for a living, but I find the software undeniably lame.

The scanner is what I expected, it will be very usefull for working on cars.I had 3 pages left to read in the manual and my neightbor came over and told me the light was on his dash.I hooked up the scanner,read the code,opened the fuel filler door,tightened the gas cap,cleared the code, and saved him $75. I paid $75 to have my car diagnosed, I replaced the cat. converters and O2 sensors, then used my new scanner to clear the code,no need to return to the garage to pay again. I am checking the neighbors cars and relatives cars for codes and pending codes.We bought a car for my daughter and I plugged in the scanner to check for any codes. I will be using this for years to come. A GOOD investment.

The Actron CP9180 is an excellent diagnostic tool for the advanced auto mechanic or just an auto enthusiast car owner. The scanner performs as advertised and the display was easy to read. The display is backlit only when attached to the vehicle. The cost was relatively inexpensive and worth it just to have on hand for when that check engine light may come on. Just having the ability to reset the check engine light will justify the cost of this tool especially if the light came on erroneously. The manual could have been written better to explain the diagnostic monitor test. The rest of the manual and instructions were adequate. I am satisfied with this tool and recommend it