OBD Computers

Happy Holidays!

I considering getting some automotive-related presents for two teenage nephews
who are planning careers in atomotive technology. They have already good sets
of hand tools and gauges.

I was thinking about an OBD computer. Here is a list of our extended family
cars:
1988 Legend, 1992 Accord, 1995 Eagle Vision, 1997 Ford F-150, 1999 Chevy
Suburban, 2000 CR-V, 2001 Pathfinder. Which computers, the OBD-1 or OBD-2 would
work with these vehicles. One nephew has a laptop, so a computer-based unit
might make sense.

As always, thanks in advance,

Jimbo
JIMBO

 

OBDII came into effect in 1996. Before that there was little
standardization of connectors and a garage needed a whole tangle of
adapters and brand specific test equipment. Even after OBDII, there
were three flavors of protocol. Foreign cars use ISO, while
chauvinistic American manufacturers insist on their own, called VPW
and PWM.

These guys http://www.obd2.com/ cater to shadetree mechanics as well
as the pros, and make diagnostic software that runs on a laptop.

 

OBD1: pre '96
OBD2: '96 and later

usually, theres some method of getting the codes on the pre-96 cars that
involves paperclips, keyflicks, etc.

when my check engine light went on on my 98 civic CX, i got an actron
scantool for $99 on sale. pinpointed the problem. they (and other
manufacturers) also make some its good for supposedly all cars that
include a lot of different plugs, jumpers, etc.

i think the laptop one would be nice. or just get him the OBD2 one...
its self contained, portable, needs no external power, big LCD screen.