MS409 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner

Picked this code reader for it gives a brief narrative discription of what's wrong with which system- generalized information but good to know when you have no reference materials available to look up a code... The last time I needed to know what a code number was indicating was on a van when I was back deep in the NC mountains. Drove that van 400 miles home before I knew what the code indicated. That van blinks out code numbers.Received this device yesterday. Read the code on a Lincoln/Ford product with the "service engine soon" light on last night, then, did some research on the Internet last night and looked at a DVD factory service manual I have for the vehicle... Picked up a $32.00 EGR pressure sensor at Auto Zone, installed it, cleared the code from the car's computer and now the vehicle is back in business running properly without the service engine soon light lit up.Around here, would likely have spent significantly more for someone competent to fix the car for me than I spent on this code reader and the part. Can figure on $100 minimum at a dealership even with no overpriced parts... Am giving it five stars for it suits me just fine. It's sturdy/not cheap looking with a good nylon carry case and a USB cable for updates via the Internet. When I take that vehicle out of town next time, this device will likely be on board. May just keep it in the vehicle.Harbor Freight tools sells an identical code reader for $100. (their regular, non sale price- saw it marked at $90 in a local HF store one day). So, the $80 I paid must be about right/reasonable for this unit. Folks that have a little know how under the hood would likely benifit from a code reader. They start around $40 for the cheaper models it looks like. Where I live, many repair shops will price gouge people that just don't know...Feb. 26, 2012: Just used this code reader again to repair the same vehicle. Did the repair myself. The code reader showed that I had a missfire in cylinder #2. So, replaced the spark plug and coil on that cylinder. Problem solved. It cost $54. for a new coil and $3.50 for a new spark plug also for good measure while I had the coil off... Had to put a new battery in the code reader. The one that comes with it is cheap. This code reader is working great for me. The code reader gave me a code but also told me in plain english that I had a misfire in cylinder #2 which is what the code means when looked up... Don't know if the cheap ones give the user that much information. This unit suits me just fine for my purposes. HF tools has it priced at $60. to $80. nowadays.Have over four decades of experience and some formal training with internal combustion engine maintenance... So, this stuff is not that terribly difficult for me... The more one knows about what's up with a vehicle, the better off he will be... Even if you have someone else make the needed repairs. A code reader is a good thing to have around nowadays. Knowledgeable and helpful people have put a lot of good repair information on the Internet which is very good to have if you want to try and make your own repairs...

Adequate to the task.

I'm staring this review with a ***WARNING*** Do NOT update the software in this unit to the Ver. 1.13 posted at Autel's web site!!!! It will cause the display to become corrupted and unreadable! Anyone who has done the update and now has an unreadable display CHEER UP!Google MS409Fix for a page I have posted which gives instructions on how to restore the original factory software.Now that I've hopefully saved the day for some people I'll get on with my review.I have a 1998 Chevy Venture minivan that has been showing an SES light on and off for a while. It runs smooth and has plenty of acceleration so I haven't been too concerned. Now that the gas prices have gone back up I figure I'll check things and see if there are any fuel system issues involved with this SES thing. I shopped around Amazon looking at code readers and such. I didn't want anything too cheap but I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg either.When I came across this MaxiScan MS409 I liked a few things right off, especially the back lit 8 line display. It does more than just read and delete codes. It does an initial diagnostic and shows the ststus of the major parts of your engine control systems, shows I/M readiness status of emission controls, displays not only the actual trouble codes, both generic and many manufacturer specific, but tells you what they mean and shows 'Freeze Frame' data giving you more info about what the problem is. Of course it's good to have a factory service manual available if you want to do the repairs yourself.This unit is worth over $100 and for this price on Amazon you just can't beat it.One other issue, I found that it's better to have the engine running when you first hook it up because it will give a link error if you just have the ignition turned on, at lease on my vehicle it did.All in all I like this scan tool and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to save the money that a repair shop will charge you just to read and clear the trouble codes in a vehicle's computer or if they want to do their own repairs.I've downgraded my rating to 4 stars because the Autel Product Support Department takes forever to respond to emails and has not yet acted on my suggestion to remove the faulty firmware update from their web site.

I shopped around because I used to work in an automotive shop with these scanners. This was the best overall deal I found.This scanner is fantastic. Its very inexpensive for what it can save you. Nicely built, nice packaging, very sturdy, even explains the codes as soon as they appear. It even upgrades itself to the latest info over your PC's USB connector! Best of all, it clears those nuisance codes that dealers make bucks off every time you need your state inspection sticker etc.I bought this scanner after having to go to the BMW dealer three times at $42 a pop. Twice I had already accurately figured out what was likely the cause. I now frequently have friends coming over to get the code 'Check Engine' light turned off before they go in for the state safety inspection. You just get the code info before so you know what you will need done, then you use that info to compare prices at several shops before you go to the dealer and 'assume the position.' Often my friends decide to do the job themselves or even go to an independent to get it done cheaper.Information is power. I suggest you get your own powerful information before you need it