What scanner to use

[dboyw]

Time and time again, I keep telling myself to get a scanner. Well today I did and I don't think it is working on the truck. I started cheap and bought the Cen-Tech one from HarborFreight. I did buy the best they had in the store, but when I hooked it to the truck, it said no codes but I also could not get it to read the truck information either.

I need to try it on my car to see how it work there. No flames now, but it is a 04 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP.

I want to get a scanner that will work on but vehicles. What should I look for?

Thanks

 

[JLDickmon]

the budget priced scanners will typically read all the global or "generic" codes, but will not read the manufacturer specific ones...

See if a local tool guy has a used Snap On "brick" that's updated through the model year of your truck...

or a couple of guys here purchased the AutoEginuity software for a palm pilot...

I personally use a Snap-On MODIS, but then again, I use it as a routine course of daily business...

 

[DaveBen]

There are two that I personally know that work on our trucks; Auto Xray and Auto Enginuity. These are not the cheapest of scanners, but both work very well. Auto Enginuity is a computer (yours) based system. I have mine on my laptop.
AutoXray®
AutoEnginuity - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics

Dave