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View Full Version : Help Needed: ''At-home" Engine Diagnostics Tools

RallyLady
04-12-2008, 03:02 PM
Cheers all,

I was wondering if anyone here has any experience and/or opinions
about the 'at-home' engine diagnostics tools for subarus. I am
optimally looking for something that can run on both my 06 WRX
and my 99 RS. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!
409industries
04-12-2008, 03:39 PM
When you say "engine diagnostics" are you referring to a code scanner, or something more robust like laptop software?

You can get a decent Actron ODB-II scanner at your local auto parts store for about $75.
BlackParis
04-12-2008, 03:46 PM
How much you looking to spend? Just a generic OBD-2 code scanner will cost less than 150$ ..... Doesn't do much but scan Check engine light codes.... Then from there, you can fix most everything with a DMM, and a service manual... anything advanced beyond this I would take it to a dealer...

Get into the fancy things from professional tool dealers (Snap-on) and your looking @ 4-6k$ easy.... but allows you to operate all the solenoids, monitor sensors, and what not for proper diagnosis....

I know there are some cheaper options for PC, but I dont know how well they work... or how much they cost + how much you can actually check/operate? Doubtfull they do anywhere NEAR as much as the snap-on stuff would...
RallyLady
04-12-2008, 05:53 PM
When you say "engine diagnostics" are you referring to a code scanner, or something more robust like laptop software?


I was looking to spend max $200, definitely not thousands :)

I know I need something that scans the codes so that I can get the 'Check Engine' light to shut off... BUT - as you might guess - I am also up to making some 'mods' on my RS and it would be really interesting to see what these enhancement really do for the car. Thus I might be looking into these laptop/software solutions (like http://www.obdcom.com/).

Have you heard any gossip about 'ECUExplorer'. Seems to be OpenSource...
BlackParis
04-12-2008, 06:41 PM
Have you heard any gossip about 'ECUExplorer'. Seems to be OpenSource...

My car is tuned with open source... BUT a 98 RS is not supported by opensource tuning, and probably wont be for a long while... if ever....

The cable you need is 100$ for openecu.. And the cable is not the same as what comes with the PC engine diagnosis stuff, each program has their own cable.....