Autel MaxiScan MS409 Easy to use and highly functional.
After several trips to the emission test station with a car that was still "not ready" for the test, I bought this so that I could determine for myself if the car was ready. It worked great and will save me money and frustration every year.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Great Scan Tool for a Great Price!
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Great Scan Tool for a Great Price!
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'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.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Well worth it
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Well worth it.
Well made piece of equipment Shop ready Helped me solve my problems saving a few hundred in repairs. Would highly recommend it.
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Great troubleshooter.
2004 GMC POS was running bad. Connected the computer, told me #1 misfiring. Replaced #1 coil, DONE!
Great product for the buck!
Glad to see the Steelers LOSE that day too!
Well made piece of equipment Shop ready Helped me solve my problems saving a few hundred in repairs. Would highly recommend it.
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Great troubleshooter.
2004 GMC POS was running bad. Connected the computer, told me #1 misfiring. Replaced #1 coil, DONE!
Great product for the buck!
Glad to see the Steelers LOSE that day too!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Autel MS409 GREAT DEVICE / Worth the money!
Autel MS409 GREAT DEVICE / Worth the money!
This Device is a great buy, I was amazed with it when I opened the box. It comes with a nice protective case, manual, usb hook up, and ofcourse the connecter cable from unit to vehicle. (It even came with a 9 volt Battery)
I was in such a hurry to use it that i left the manual in the house and tried it out on the vehicle. It was so simple to use I was able to obtain the problem and clear the warning lights and pending codes in a matter of two min or less. Simple product to use.
This Device is a great buy, I was amazed with it when I opened the box. It comes with a nice protective case, manual, usb hook up, and ofcourse the connecter cable from unit to vehicle. (It even came with a 9 volt Battery)
I was in such a hurry to use it that i left the manual in the house and tried it out on the vehicle. It was so simple to use I was able to obtain the problem and clear the warning lights and pending codes in a matter of two min or less. Simple product to use.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Scan Tool.
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Scan Tool.
User-friendly Scanner. Displays DTC definitions on unit screen. Retrieves vehicle information, identifies pending codes, views freeze frame data and easily determines the cause of the Check Engine Light. Comes with built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and is software upgradeable via internet. Turns off Check Engine Light (MIL), clears codes and resets monitors. Displays monitor and I/M readiness status (emissions). Memory/battery backup for off-vehicle data review and analysis. Large easy-to-read backlit LCD screen. Utilizes standard 16-pin OBD-II connector meaning no additional connectors or cables are necessary.
User-friendly Scanner. Displays DTC definitions on unit screen. Retrieves vehicle information, identifies pending codes, views freeze frame data and easily determines the cause of the Check Engine Light. Comes with built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and is software upgradeable via internet. Turns off Check Engine Light (MIL), clears codes and resets monitors. Displays monitor and I/M readiness status (emissions). Memory/battery backup for off-vehicle data review and analysis. Large easy-to-read backlit LCD screen. Utilizes standard 16-pin OBD-II connector meaning no additional connectors or cables are necessary.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Autel MaxiScan MS409
I received the MS409 OBDII scanner a few days ago, and finally used it today. It worked perfectly on my Honda CRV. It read the onboard codes as expected, and cleared the DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) and MIL(Malfunction Indicator Light=engine check light) exactly as I had hoped. Now I can go get the car tested. I am pleased.
To-do items: Although I would classify myself as technically competent, I read and re-read the manual. Installed the included software and reviewed it. Check with "auteltech.com" for any updates. Mine needed no updates. After connecting the tool to the vehicle, review the various screens multiple times to familiarize yourself with them. This effort is "TIME WELL SPENT".
Additionally, review the emissions section(s) of your vehicle owners manual. There should be detailed instructions on resetting DTC codes and resetting the vehicles readiness codes. This is touched on in the scanner manual, but not to the same degree as the vehicle manual.
This turned out to be a cost-effective purchase.
To-do items: Although I would classify myself as technically competent, I read and re-read the manual. Installed the included software and reviewed it. Check with "auteltech.com" for any updates. Mine needed no updates. After connecting the tool to the vehicle, review the various screens multiple times to familiarize yourself with them. This effort is "TIME WELL SPENT".
Additionally, review the emissions section(s) of your vehicle owners manual. There should be detailed instructions on resetting DTC codes and resetting the vehicles readiness codes. This is touched on in the scanner manual, but not to the same degree as the vehicle manual.
This turned out to be a cost-effective purchase.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Great scanner!
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Great scanner!
Great product!! Now I'm not worried about my check engine light anymore, it tells me the code and it's very easy to use just plug it and scan. I like this product.
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Good product and great service.
Glad I read the reviews. This appears to be the one to buy. Instructions, onscreen codes, and price make this a worthwhile product. I used it right out of the box and fixed the problem, cleared the codes, and saved a bundle over going to a dealer.
Great product!! Now I'm not worried about my check engine light anymore, it tells me the code and it's very easy to use just plug it and scan. I like this product.
Autel MaxiScan MS409 Good product and great service.
Glad I read the reviews. This appears to be the one to buy. Instructions, onscreen codes, and price make this a worthwhile product. I used it right out of the box and fixed the problem, cleared the codes, and saved a bundle over going to a dealer.
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