Autel MS409 Works well for the price.

Autel MS409 Works well for the price.
I purchased this about a year ago. It has worked very well - it's a simple device in terms of function, but it does that function well. I think it's built solidly - definitely feels like it can take a drop and a bunch of use in a garage type environment. All the cables seem solidly built, too.

Someone complained it couldn't be updated - I downloaded a new update from the manufacturers website and flashed it via the included cable, so I'm not sure what he was referring to.

It comes in a nice case, too - soft sided, though, if you prefer a hard case you'll have to buy one, or leave it in the box as I do.

I'd recommend this to anyone with a car and the ability to plug something in - it's that easy. As to the codes and their definitions - Google is your friend - you don't need to rely on the manual.

Autel MS409 Saves you money

Autel MS409 Saves you money.
I purchased the MS409 because I was on a long distance trip and my Toyota Tundra engine check light came on. Did not have it on the trip so went online and Tundra owners said common problem was that the fuel cap was not on properly or the oxygen sensor was bad. Tightened the fuel cap many times without success but finally on the way home the engine check light went out but I still didn't know the cause for sure. When I received the scanner I connected and no oxygen sensor error was shown so I know it wasn't that.

Anyway, since then I have used it on several other vehicles including my mother's Honda Odyssey. The Honda dealer wanted her the pay $100+ to diagnose the problem with the engine check light on. Who knows what they would have charged to "fix" the problem. I connected the scanner and it said it was a fuel/evap system leak. I re-tightened the fuel cap and reset the engine check light using the scanner and everything is fine.

With all the money it saved me and my family so far it is one of the best purchases I made. I purchased this model because the explanation of the trouble codes is right on the display and you don't have to look in a code book. Worth paying the extra money as far as I'm concerned.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Very Affordable OBD-II Tool.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Very Affordable OBD-II Tool.
Can't beat the price for this OBD-II scan-tool. There are cheaper (cost) versions out there, but the websites are very questionable (poor web design, shady return policy, and distrustful e-commerce). For the price and reputation of Amazon are the factors for purchasing the scan-tool here. The tool comes with a quality travel pouch, OBD-II cable, USB cable (for scan-tool updates), and a manual. What's really cool about this version is the "Freeze-frame" data feature. I had a P0401 (EGR Insufficient Flow) code and the freeze-frame data is a "snapshot" of the factors leading to the code. I was able to use the data to troubleshoot the problem to a defective ECT (engine coolant temperature) sensor--odd isn't it? My recommendation is to get this version of the scan-tool. Other versions that just display the DTC (diagnostic trouble code) would give one the sense that the EGR should be replaced. The ECT sensor was $15 rather than mistakenly replacing an EGR that costs $150, only to find the problem wasn't the EGR. The tool is just a diagnostic tool and not an "answer" tool, so it only helps with the trouble isolation effort. I chose this product over the real-time version, because the freeze-frame data is sufficient to troubleshoot a DTC. While I could have taken the car to a auto parts retailer (who can scan the code for free), their primary business is to sell parts. Not to mention, the auto "stealership" is out to sell parts and service. This was a great investment, because all vehicles 1996-onward must support OBD-II. I will certainly have a car until I die, so the tool pays for itself in just a few DIY automotive troubleshooting.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 An excellent buy.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 An excellent buy.
The Autel MaxiScan was a present for my son. He says I did a good choice because it help him in his everyday car diagnosis.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Good for the Money.
.... as far as I know...... it's the first OBD scanner I've ever had but it definitely takes care of the basics. The main problem you will find that people here complain about is that it is delivered scrambled and needs to be updated, well, that happened here too, did some research that day and found the updates, if I remember correctly the top two on the list are the correct ones, after you update it will actually work just like it's suppose to... I have to say, I came very close to returning this, it whizzed me off that I had to take a day to research this product to get it to work, anyway, here is the update link. 

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Code Reader I like it.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Code Reader I like it.
I have only played with this thing a couple of times on my Expedition and on My Honda CRV.

Man that took some research to find the plug in module on the Honda. Its actually accessible from the passenger side, just right of the vehicle center line.

Any way, I have no Check Engine Lights on at this time (a good thing).

But this scanner seems fairly intuitive to use. It will also show you codes for pending problems that maybe don't yet warrant the system to turn on the CEL.

The codes are right there in the scanner, with a description so you don't have to look them up in a manual. You can also find the codes on the internet at several different web sites.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Easy to use and highly functional

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.

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.

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!  

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.

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.

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.  

Autel MaxiScan MS409 IT WORKS!

Autel MaxiScan MS409 IT WORKS!
IT DOES EVERTHING IT WAS DISCRIBED TO DO! IF YOU CAN USE YOUR TV REMOTE TO CHANGE INPUTS TO PLAY A DVD YOU CAN USE THIS TOOL. I HAVE A BASIC CODE READER FOR THE ORIGINAL OBDII, BUT WITH THAT IT GIVES
CODE NUMBERS THEN YOU NEED TO LOOK THEM UP IN A BOOK. WITH THIS IT TELLS ALL WITH THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON. FOR THE PRICE THIS IS A WINNER! - BUT REMEMBER THIS TOOL ONLY READS ENGINE RELATED INFO. FOR
ABS BRAKES AND OTHER COMPUTER CONTROLLED DEVICES ON YOUR VEHICLE YOU'LL NEED A MORE ADVANCED SCANNER. I'VE USED IT ON A NUMBER OF GM CARS AND TRUCKS, A NISSAN, A TOYOTA, A DODGE AND A FORD AND
ALL PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED. A FRIEND WAS SO IMPRESSED BY WHAT IT COULD DO HE BOUGHT ONE TOO!

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Just Work on some car

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Just Work on some car.
I got this three weeks ago, fast shipment .I try on 5 vehicles ,only 3 of them work other 2 with freeze screen .Did not tell me what is happening.

Update:I found an update for this scan tool,not on Maxiscan web side.Now it work on the vehicles don't scan before I give 5 stars for what this tool capable.Highly recommended.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 BEST PRICE

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Best Price, good product and easy to use.
when my CEL lighted, I felt a little worried, but I did not like to go to any dealer without information about my own car, so I ordered this Scaner online, it arrived soon, and worked very well, with a P0171 code, I knew where the problem was. thanks, it worths to have one scaner like this. 


Autel MaxiScan MS409 Best Price, Best Ever.
The best tool I ever bought online. This is very simple to use and works every time, although I only used it twice. Given the fact that this cost less than a visit to the mechanic, i would recommend it to Saturday mechanics. Did i mention amazon had the best price for this type of tool. 


Autel MaxiScan MS409 Worked perfect. Glad I bought it.
Got this product and scanned my car for the codes. Looked it up bought the part and fix the problem. Couldn't be easier. No more check engine light. Would highly recommend this product. 


MaxiScan MS409 Works good.
the price of this item was very reasonable. it was used on a 2001 bmw 740il and it did what it was supposed to do. had the check service light on and was able to determine what was causing it and was able to turn the light off. the item even came with a case, wires, and a cd. well worth the investment, going to mechanic would have cost more than the unit itself. if you are willing to do your own work then this item is well worth getting.


MaxiScan MS409 Very good.
This very good engine code reader, let you know what is your car problem, save your money and time. Recommend to buy for a family.

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Reviews

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Good product for the price
Scanner was just as advertised. Great deal for the money. I was trying to diagnose a problem with my Toyota
Prius. Unfortunately, Toyota has some proprietary codes that are not defined by this Scanner (or any other outside
of Toyota's service department).Otherwise a great value... 


Autel MaxiScan MS409 Money well spent- er saved that is
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..

Autel MaxiScan MS409 Scanner was just as advertised. Great deal for the money.
Reason for my 5 stars:
1st: Great price
2nd: Easy to understand manual,
3rd: Great Features (love the Freeze Frame had a Code P1320 on my 2000 Nissan maxima
Ignition Signal Failure or bad ignition coils but which 1 my car have 6(total cost to
change all 6 $500-$600)used the Freeze Frame feature and found a code P0303 meaning cylinder #3
or coil #3 was bad,cost of new coil $70-$100 and I can change it myself,so total cost of repair
1 Great Scanner (Autel MaxiScan MS409 OBD-II/EOBD) $77.00 + 1 ignition coil $100 = $177
4th: Great Price
5th: Great Price 


Autel MaxiScan MS409 Works great
The item was delivered quick and works great to pull and clear codes on all three vehicles I've tried it on. Seems well built and very easy to use. 


Autel MS409 Good Buy, Happy Customer
Hi All,
I got this item very quickly, ordered Friday recieved on Monday with AMAZON PRIME. I bought this because of an intermittent engine light in my 2006 Acura TL MT, (it comes on about every other day). After reading some of the other reviews here the first thing I did was to look at the device info and write down the serial number, software number, etc. all stored electronically. I just ran a diag and it came back with a code that seems to be correct. P2138- Throttle / Pedal Position Sensor / Switch D/ E Voltage Correlation. This is something that has failed in my car when it was still in warranty. The scan began and finished in about 1 minute or less. The build doesn't seem cheap, it just looks like it's made to take a beating, like it's sturdy enough to take a few falls/drops. I am very satisfied with the purchase and I believe since I only payed $51, it has already paid for itself in one scan. I can't speak for the software CD or updating because I ran my test with the device straight out of the box and didn't use the supplements. I read reviews on random forums concerning this model/type scanner and all were satisfied, as I am too.
Thinking about it? This is a great price. There are cheaper builds for about $40, but they are reviewed as too cheap. I've only seen one other scan tool for $50 that is OBD2/CAN and it was a bluetooth device but it had no reviews. This has it's own memory to store your codes after a diag run, and it also reads out generic and manufacture specific codes. 


Autel MS409 Excellent Scanner
The first thing one notices as they open the box is how sturdy feeling this scanner is. The buttons have a firm and positive feedback that is noticable even when wearing neoprene gloves. The connector cable for the OBD-II is sufficiently long to be usable in just about any situation. The battery backup is a nice feature where you can carry the scanner to your computer and reference the codes without having to remember them or write them down (nice when your car is pounding out codes like crazy!). I also like the code clearing feature - this works better than unplugging the battery b/c doing so still leaves a previously stored code in the OBD-II that may be picked up at inspection, despite turning off the 'check engine' light.

I would have liked to see a feature that could keep old codes stored in addition to new ones so you can compare conditions. It would also be nice if it had realtime monitoring, but obviously that feature would be significantly more costly.

This is a must-buy if you have a car with more than 100k miles. It lets you see what codes are showing "not ready" status which is very important come inspection time. If your state allows a car to pass with a given # of "not ready" indicators, you can wait until your car is within the state's parameters, get it inspected, then not worry about the 'check engine' light thwarting your need for transportation (although it is always best practice to repair whatever is being reported by the scanner ASAP). 


Autel MS409 Get the code then you use that info to compare several shop's prices
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 

MaxiScan MS409 very helpful
very good buy for the price i got. My car throws check engine light often and its good to have this product to erase that annoying light. top of the line for the price i got it for. cheers 


MaxiScan MS409 good product and easy to use~
when my CEL lighted, I felt a little worried, but I did not like to go to any dealer without information about my own car, so I ordered this Scaner online, it arrived soon, and worked very well, with a P0171 code, I knew where the problem was. thanks, it worths to have one scaner like this. 


MaxiScan MS409 Best Buy
The best tool I ever bought online. This is very simple to use and works every time, although I only used it twice. Given the fact that this cost less than a visit to the mechanic, i would recommend it to Saturday mechanics. Did i mention amazon had the best price for this type of tool.

@#@ CHEAP Autel MaxiScan MS409 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner

Autel MaxiScan MS409 OBD-II/EOBD Scanner

The user-friendly bilingual MaxiScan Scanner is able to troubleshoot all 1996 and newer OBD2 compliant vehicles. It features multilingual menu and displays DTC definitions on unit screen. This tool retrieves vehicle information, identifies pending codes, views freeze frame data and easily determines the cause of the Check Engine Light. It comes with built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and is software upgradeable via internet.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1443 in Automotive
• Size: Medium
• Color: Red housing with blue rubber boot
• Brand: Autel
• Model: MS409

Features

• Retrieves generic and manufacturer specific Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC), features built-in OBD-II DTC lookup library and software is upgradeable via Internet
• Features large easy-to-read backlit LCD screen, a multilingual menu and DTC definitions and memory/battery backup for off-vehicle data review and analysis
• Views freeze frame data, displays monitor and I/M readiness status, turns off Check Engine Light (MIL); clears codes and resets monitors
• Supports the CAN (Controller Area Network) protols and all other current OBD-II protocols
• Works with all OBD-II/EOBD compliant U.S., European and Asian vehicles (OBD-II is standard on all cars sold in U.S. post-1996)