Customer Reviews

U380 OBDII Check Engine Auto Scanner Trouble Code Reader

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Sure, many auto parts stores will read your codes for free, but you have to drive there during their hours and wait for someone to become available. It's like making prints of digital photos. Sure, Wal-Mart will do it for pennies, but it's not that expensive to own your own photo printer. When I saw how affordable this reader was, I couldn't think of a good reason not to own one.

I only have one car and I'm not the type who is likely to do any repairs myself other than changing bulbs, fuses, filters, wiper blades, etc. Therefore, I wasn't interested in spending more to get a code reader with fancier display, more buttons, or wider compatibility. I just wanted to be able to see the error codes and look them up so I would have some idea of what was going on BEFORE I started dealing with mechanics.

At first, I was completely ignorant about where to find my OBD II socket. The instructions give you some guidelines on where to look, but the exact location can vary by make, model, and year. It took me about 15 minutes with a flashlight to find it, not for any particular reason except my ignorance. It wasn't really hidden nor difficult to see; I had just never seen one before in my life. Once located, it was a piece of cake to follow the instructions for connecting the reader and scrolling thru the codes. Although the instructions give you a brief description of common codes, it only took a few minutes with Google for me to seem like an expert about my problem. When I called the dealership to schedule a service appointment, I was able to tell them enough information that they were able to confirm coverage under my extended warranty, verify that all the relevant parts were in stock, and have me bring it in at a time when they would well-staffed for the type of repair. (In larger service departments, some mechanics are stronger in certain areas, so if you have a transmission problem, it's best not to show up on the day when the transmission specialist is off.)

If you're worried this thing might be hard for a non-mechanic to use, you can stop worrying. If I could figure it out, anyone can. This product has worked so well, I almost regret that my car has been working so well that I rarely get to use my code reader.

This scanner is mediocre. I plan on returning this scanner and spending a few more bucks on the Actron CP9135 scanner. Why? Read below...

When this scanner arrived, I actually knew the 3 codes that caused my CEL to come on. A few days before this scanner arrived, I brought my car to a car dealer I know and he used his Actron CP9135 scanner, specifically asking the dealer **NOT** to clear my CEL so I could test out this cheapy scanner when it arrived.

According to the mechanic's scanner (again, an Actron CP9135 scanner which sells on Amazon for $73) 3 codes caused my CEL....two P0441 codes and one P0446 code (emissions, charcoal canister stuff).

Did the Actron CP9135 and this cheapy scanner give the same codes? Sort of....

First I'm going to describe the experience of using Actron CP9135 and then I'll contrast it with my experience using this cheapy scanner (I was hovering over the mechanic as he used his Actron scanner so I saw how he operated it and how his scanner worked).

The Actron CP9135 was very, very clear about the codes that caused my CEL. First it displayed '3 codes' then the mechanic pressed the up button on the Actron and the display changed to 'P0441, code 1 of 3' and it also had a short discription of the code below (the Actron CP9135 has a multi-line LCD display). The mechanic pressed the up button on the Actron again and the display changed to 'P0441, code 2 of 3' and it also had a short discription below (Again, I had two P0441 codes). And another press of the up botton displayed 'P0446, code 3 of 3' and also a short description of the code below it.

The experience I had with this cheapy scanner wasn't nearly as good. The scanner's display is only able to accomodate maybe 6-7 characters, 1 line only. When I plugged the scanner into the OBD port in and pressed the 'read' button, it displayed '1' then '2' then '3'. This was the scanner's way of telling me I had 3 codes but the manual didn't mention anything about that. In fact, if I hadn't known my codes beforehand I would have been totally confused.

And that's the moral of the story. This scanner may be cheap but its confusing. Here's more evidence this cheapy scanner is confusing:

1) the scanner doesn't tell you its a 'P' code (important because not all OBD codes begin with P). The Actron told me I had a P0441 code while this scanner told me I had a 0441 code (no P). That's a big deal when you're stressing over what's causing your CEL (a person wants as much clarity as possible in such a distressing situation).

2) This cheapy scanner only gave me as codes '0441' then '0446'. That's it. Had I not gone to the mechanic beforehand I would have never known I had **two** P0441 codes.

Also, this cheapy scanner obviously doesn't give any discription for the codes (the manual does have some pages on it though).

Don't go cheap on an OBD scanner. I plan on returning this scanner and buying an Actron CP9135 instead.

Edit: BTW, this cheapy scanner did clear my CEL so it did its job in that respect.

I have used this for over a year and a half now and have not had a problem with it. It reads the codes including P which some other reviewer could not seem to get it to do. The problem I had with my car was a stuck open thermostat so the light would come on every 2 or 3 days. I was easily able to retrieve the code, verify it was still the same problem, and erase it to turn off the light for over a year till I finally got the thermostat replaced. The light has lit up for other codes too, so I could check the problem before taking it to the mechanic to make sure he was telling me the truth.

A check engine light caused me to order the OBD II scanner. I've had three check engine lights in the past year and each problem has been relatively minor, but the labor has been, on average, about $80 each time. On the third time, I decided to check the code and see if I could find the problem myself. I could have gone to one of the auto parts places (Autozone, Advanced, etc.) and had it read, but the closest is 11 mi away (22 miles round trip), so for just $35, I justified buying it. I read the code and then went on line to see if anyone else had experienced the same problem. Sure enough, the fix was there. I bought the part from the dealer for $23, put it in, used the OBD II to clear the code and re-ran the test. Everything was fine. I couldn't be more pleased.

Unit works great to find the code and erase. You can see if it repeats or if it was a temporary check engine light.

I purchased this scanner despite the bad review stating it didn't give full codes. I'm really not a car guy but this thing will save me money. I ran a scan and received the code. I looked up the code and it was my egr flow code. I shut off the CEL and waited to see if it would come back on. It did. I googled the problem and found multiple posts on how to address the problem. This light came on a month ago and the dealer said they could get rid of it but it would require a thorough tune up and fuel injector cleaning. That cost $1100.00. What they didn't tell me was that the light might come back on. Then they wanted more money to look into the problem. I have a 96 G20 and I love the car but it's not worth putting 2 grand into it to shut off a light. It seems all the dealers end up trying to replace the egr sensor valve and that doesn't solve the problem. You have to clear carbon from some egr port at the throttle. I'll be going to a local mechanic to have that done. So this scanner saved me money. A lot of money. And I get to keep this car until it actually dies. Hopefully in a few more years.

I got this because the area I live in wants to inspect my car for emissions and I wanted to make sure I didn't have problems before I took the car to the inspection station. There's nothing worse than finding out you have a problem than when the inspector tells you.

I read the instructions (something that a lot of reviewers neglected to do). What I found out was that I had several errors, all minor, but decipherable from the instruction book. That's what you get for 30 bucks.

If you have half a brain, this thing is very usable.

So, my "Service Engine Soon Light" comes on. I take the 2002 Lincoln into the local service place. (I won't embarass them by using their name, but it rymes "Ritus") Bottom line after over $200 of scaning and repair. My gas cap wasn't on tight. For the $200 I did get a new cap that I probably didn't need.
I have a mini van that the SESL always comes on, $Kaching $Kaching for the dealer. So after awhile, I ignore it. Bottom line, it cost me $2700 for a new air conditioner compressor electric fan and software upgrade (and another scan). Sometimes the price of scan is taken of the repair, other times it isn't. Whatever the market can handle.
My son used it on his work van. It said he had a #4 cylinder misfire. He pushed on the loose wire. Fixed. Savings about $300 for a tune-up he probably didn't need.
Knowledge is power. If the shop realizes you are not as dumb as you look, it's harder to blow smoke up your exhaust.
Would I buy it again? In a heartbeat!

I've had this unit for a few years and its worked with my 2003 Mazda MPV. We sold the MPV and bought a 2007 Toyota Sienna and this unit won't work with the Sienna.

Apparently there is a newer OBDII protocol called CAN (Controller Area Network) which my U380 does not support.

Otherwise, a good very basic unit. Nothing fancy and the interface is a bit clunky but it did the job and pulled the codes.

The display is a bit spartan but the unit perfoms as advertised. Just follow the manual and, within 5 minute, you can be rud of those annoying dashboard warning lights that don't mean anything.