Customer Reviews

Actron CP9190 Elite AutoScanner Pro Diagnostic Code Scanner Kit (Includes CP9185 Base Scanner, OBDI & OBDII Cables with Hard Case)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought this to diagnose a misfiring cylinder. I had the same problem previously, and the dealer charged me $400 for diagnosis and repair. With this one use, I "broke even".

The code scanner worked well. The graphing feature is of limited use. I'm hoping future software updates will make it more useful. You can't press the buttons too quickly, or they won't work. I had to call the "help line" to install the driver so my computer could recognize the scanner via the USB cable.

Unfortunately, I did my homework after my purchase, it comes with bad soft ware as my computer can not locate the auto scanner as a device so I can update. I purchased this unit and it only has information upto 2003 I bought it in January of 2010 and I CAN NOT update it on he internet. My research into on the internet comment reflect alot of people have this problem and ACTRON does not stand behind there product and fix it. I AM BUMMED!

Brand new out of the box DEAD!!!!!!!! called company rep... waited 36 minutes to talk to real person.....music was killing me.....told me my online receipt was not good enough to cover repair's I needed a cash register or printed store receipt!!!told me on phone I would be resposible for the bill....to repair.. WHY NOT REPLACE IT FLAT OUT ???1 year warranty?????Actron is a BAD company to deal with BAD BAD BAD!!!

I read the reviews here and ignored them and went ahead and got this scanner. I even spent extra and got the couple extra OBDI adapters that it doesn't come with. When I first got it, it worked pretty good, though there was a hangup here and there when turning it on failing to boot, or it would freeze up when moving into the Menu's. Not all the time, just once in a while. I figured BUG, they'll have some type of Update at some point.(Still have never seen 1 update YET!!!) The problems just continued to get worse over time. Now it's a Paper Weight. I turn it on, the Actron screen comes on and then NOTHING, or it comes on and then the menu's are all jumbled or jumbled and upside down. I can't do ANYTHING with it. I replaced the 9 volt battery and that didn't do a thing. It's hardly been used and looks brand new and yet it's a pile of junk. When it was working it had some nice features for a scanner at this price range at the time. I wish I never got this thing!!!

I do have the Actron ABS scanner and it works great for the cars and trucks it supports. Never had any problems with that scanner. I emailed Customer Service and they had be try a few things, of could I tried what I could and said it didn't work and they never replied back to be. It's been another month or so, and so I decided to send yet another e-mail and see what happens. If I have to pay to get it FIXED, it won't be worth it. I'll have to toss it and buy another Scanner and never buy anything from ACTRON ever again. You know I've yet to ever see a ABS scanner update either from them. If you have any problems with whatever you buy from them, don't count on Customer Service to help you. I don't recommend any ACTRON products!!!!

If you need a good OBDII scanner WITH Domestic ABS Brakes Capabilities, INNOVA 3160 looks like a winner. Few low end OBDII scanners support ABS features, and right now on AMAZON the price is only $224.99. I really wish I had gotten this one, but I don't think it was around when I got mine. I also have ABS capabilities so I really only need a Scanner. Right now though I'm looking at maybe getting a much higher end scanner. I wish I could have given the Actrol CP9190 ZERO stars.

I first bought the cp9150, I was not impressed with all it does for the money. Then for extra $100 i bought Cp9190. I must say this has all the functionality you want from scanner.
PROS: easy to use, light at night display and the keys are nicer than cp9145 series. For the money CP9145 don't do much compare to other models, other models do even more then cp9150 Also don't get cp9145, the cables in Cp9150 which is the same unit as cp9145 except the cables and the carring box is worth the money spend for CP9150. Altough I was not impressed with its functionality for the money. no cable to upgrade from computer. you can't print the data. However, CP9190 is real deal for the money. It does so much compare to the CP9145 series.
The software comes with cp9190 is fantastic and update from USB make all worth the money.
CONS;
CP9190 is made in china compare to CP9145, CP9150 series made in US. It has freeze several time during active data collection. This could be manufacture default.
After all, If you have the money go for this unit cp9190. IF you don't care about OBD I go for cp9180 or cp9175. But if you really need the OBDI and budget is tight give CP9150 a trial. But I was not impressed with functionality compare to the Cp9190.

I've had my 9190 for about 6 weeks now and it's a paperweight. Worked great out of the box on my 95 buick riviera and my 2000 toyota corolla. Also used on 2010 mustang. It was a great tool while it worked, but now it's completely dead. If you hook it up to obd2 port on car the backlights for the screen light up but thats it. Since i've had it longer than a month i can't return it to amazon, and since i don't have a printed store receipt Actron refuses to repair it, telling me my electronic receipts aren't good enough, that i'll have to pay to fix it. That just don't fly with me.
I own other Actron products like their digital multimeter/auto analyzer has worked great for years. My actron timing light has lasted for years and my cheap obd2 code reader from Actron still works fine. Unfortunately they have lost another customer for refusing to fix a product with a 1 year warranty which apparently is just a selling point because they will NOT honor their warranty. I would stay far, far away from this scantool. You are better off buying a PC or laptop based system like the Obd SX cable and ScanXL software which can be had for less than the price of the 9190, or AutoEnginuety (i problably butchered the spelling) is another good PC based scantool, though the entry level package will cost around 600 bucks for the generic OBD2 support, with enhanced diagnostic support for specific vehicle makes also available at extra cost.

Used product on a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix - OBDII - gave back nice fast results. Read codes, cleared them, recorded date. Great tool for the money.
Used product on a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville - OBD 1.5 - doesn't do well on transition cars built in 95. Slow responses, trouble reading and clearing codes. Eventually it worked, but wasn't easy.
Used product on a 2002 Pontiac Bonneville - OBDII - works well, found codes, reset them, recorded data. Worked very well.
Used product on a 2000 Buick Le Sabre - OBDII - works well, reset codes.
Used product on a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville - OBDI - worked well, found and reset codes.

Installation : Very simple, straight and to the point.

Usage: Very simple and to the point.

Overall, I would recommend this tool. It is not intended to take the place of a professional grade tool. But it surpasses all realistic expectations.

To be fair, I don't have a ton of experience with code readers / engine scanners, but this unit gives an impressive capability for the price. For example, it gives live data similar to what a Snap-On MT2500 would give you on a GM OBD-I vehicle ('88 Chevy pickup with TBI). (I haven't played with the MT 2500 on an OBD-II vehicle to compare.) I'll assume the 9190 will display live data off OBD-II just like all the others. The 9185/9190's ability to display the live data for older cars really pays off when you own one of them, and was vital to my purchase decision. (I have a TBI pickup, and I'm putting TPI in an older Camaro)

I bought my Dad one first and he loves it and uses it for all his cars too. I was going to buy a used MT2500, but his experience on all his cars led me to buy one for myself.

You can spend more on other scanners but WHY? The CP9190 can do almost any trouble shooting on the electronics of todays computer controlled vehicles and point you in the right direction to make the repairs yourself saving you hundreds of $ at the shop or will give you an idea of what the problem is so some shadetree mechcanic does'nt rip you off. It cost $99.00 just to get the local Chevy dealer to plug in and diagnose a problem so I bought my on and have already found 2 seperate vehicle codes on my car and truck and repaired and reset the system.It has already paid for itself. Advance Auto Parts doe's this for FREE and I saw how easy it was to operate and this is the brand scanner they use day in and day. It covers just about every vehicles connections and is simple to operate. So go ahead and give it a try and start saving $$$$$

The good thing about this scanner is the live - graphic data on OBDII vehicles. Also new automotive scanners must have CAN system (Controller Area Network) if they want to gather information from the vehicle. The ACTRON CP9190 comes with it.
You can find out about the code or codes, the meaning of the code(s), check the freeze frame data to see when the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Ligh=check engine light) came and in which conditions, It is really helpful when you do a diagnosis. With the Live data check the parameters of the condition of the engine. The only thing is that it doesn't come with special test than other automotive scanners but other than that it is good equipment.