Tag: Diagnostic

TOPDON ArtiDiag Pro Diagnostic Bidirectional Scan Tool Review & Demonstration.

Topdon Aridiag Pro scan tool review and demonstration

Video link: https://youtu.be/8ID5TQd41dU

The new Topdon ArtiDiag Pro bidirectional diagnostic OBD2 scan tool review and demonstration. This automotive scanner is designed to compete with the Xtool D7, the Launch CRP919, and the Autel 808 series of scan tools. This is the sweet spot in Topdon scan tools when it comes to overall functionality VS cost. This tool gets you the most features and functions for the best price in the Topdon lineup. This is a very capable mid-grade scan tool with full bidirectional control, with resets and relearns and live data on all modules but without the price of a pro level dealer grade scan tool. This level of scan tool will pretty much cover 99.8% of all DIY auto repairs, in the hand of the right person. Please keep in mind, scan tools only provide information to the human, it still requires a human to determine how to repair the vehicle. Not all repairs are as simple as plugging in a scan tool and replacing a sensor.

Join the discussion in the Garage Topic sub Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/GarageTopic/comments/11k6lpg/topdon_artidiag_pro_diagnostic_bidirectional_scan/

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LAUNCH X431 CRP919E Review. NEW OBD2 Bidirectional Diagnostic Scan Tool

LAUNCH X431 CRP919E review. NEW OBD2 bidirectional diagnostic scan tool. This tool cometes directly with the XTOOL D7 and the AUTEL 808 series of scan tools.

https://youtu.be/MRNXJVWaxrw

I review the LAUNCH X431 CRP919E OBDII bidirectional scan tool that was recently released to compete directly with the XTOOL D7, and the AUTEL 808 series of automotive scanners. This tool features bidirectional control consisting of resets, actuation tests and special functions. You can view all live data PIDS from all modules in the vehicle in either text form, or graph form. This tool with also record selected live data PIDS and it will allow for playback at up to 4X speed. It is also compatible with the newer protocols of CAN FD and DoIP. The tool physically reminds me of the many Snap-on scanners because of its red body with black trim around the edges and especially its physical buttons. It’s VERY Snap on ish… The mechanical buttons are really nice for when your fingers are covered in grease and the screen won’t respond to their touch. It also has an “automatically connect” feature that can be toggles on/off in the setting menu. This features makes the tool automatically auto-vin the vehicle and intimately start a full system scan when the data cable is connected to a vehicle. All this happens by simply plugging in the data cable to the DLC port in the vehicle. This is the only tablet style of scan tool that I have reviewed on my YouTube channel to have physical buttons, and the “auto connect” option. Those are two features that no other scanners have…. at least that I know of anyway. The LAUNCH brand of scan tool is a favorite among professional mechanics and hobbyists. If you read through any tool forums, subreddits, or any other automotive related social media sites then you will see (read) that LAUNCH is a very well like brand all over the internet. If you’re in the market for this level of scan tool, then take a close look at this new LAUNCH model….. it might just be what you’re looking for.

https://youtu.be/MRNXJVWaxrw

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XTOOL IP819 Review. OBDII Diagnostic Scan Tool. New in late 2022

I review the brand new XTOOL IP819 OBD2 diagnostic scan tool. This OBD2 scanner will read and reset all diagnostic trouble codes, (DTC) for every module in the vehicle. This scan tool also has full bidirectional control with actuation tests and special functions such as crank relearn and other system resets. This XTOOL model has basically the same features and functions as the XTOOL D8 but with a 1 inch smaller screen and slightly smaller battery, and of course a lower price.

This tool has a bunch of functionality for the price. If you’re looking for a scan tool with full bidirectional control but you don’t want to break the bank with a tool that has really fancy hardware (like a huge high resolution scree, wirless VCI, etc) then this tool might be for you.

Possible correction: In the video when I am reading the list of specs, when I get the spot where it says “processor: 2 G” I pause for a second and then I say something like “that must be a misprint, the system has 2 gigabytes of ram, and 32 gigabytes of storage”. Well, it is possible that the specs were correct and it actually meant the processor is 2 GHz (gigahertz) which is the speed of the processor. And if that is the case, then it has a newer, faster processor than previous XTOOL models. Sorry for the confusion.

My IP616 video can be found here: https://youtu.be/_uBznng8_R8

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XTOOL IP616 Review. OBDII Diagnostic Scan Tool. New in late 2022.

I review the brand new XTOOL IP616 OBDII diagnostic scan tool. This OBD2 scanner will read and reset all diagnostic trouble codes, (DTC) for every module in the vehicle. This XTOOL code reader will also display live data from all modules in the vehicle. However, it does not feature any bidirectional control. This is what I would call an entry level scan tool. It’s budget friendly and can assist with probably 95% of repairs to most vehicles made in 1996 or newer. OBD2 was federally mandated to be the standard for cars sold in the US for model year 1996, or newer. It’s still that way today. A brand new 2023 vehicle sold inside the USA is OBD2. A lot of low-end code readers (creaders) will only display trouble codes for the PCM (powertrain control module) which is the “computer” that typically only runs the engine and transmission in most vehicles. Well, as cars got newer (from 1996) and more sophisticated, the manufacturers added more and more modules. Nowadays there is a separate module for EVERYTHING in the vehicle. It’s common to have 30+ modules in a vehicle from the 2010’s, and up, and probably 20+ modules in vehicles from the 2000’s. My point is…. again, most low-end code readers will only display codes from only the PCM…. from only ONE module in the vehicle. What do you do when there are codes in another module that the cheap code reader will not display? You need a step up to this type of scan tool. As stated above, this scan tool will display DTCs from ALL modules and display ALL live data, from every module in the vehicle. Nothing worse than having a check engine light on and not being able to retrieve the code because the code reader is too basic to pull the code form the Body control module, BCM. (for example) Or not having access to the fuel pump module to see if there is a fault. Even without bidirectional control, this is still a very helpful scan tool.

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TOPDON Phoenix Lite 2 Bidirectional Control and Live Data

TOPDON Phoenix Lite 2 Bidirectional Control and Live Data. Special functions, Actuation tests, and Live data stream

In this video I take a closer look at the special function, actuation tests, and live data pids on this scan tool using a modern test vehicle, a 2022 Kia K5. The test vehicle in my previous video featuring the TOPDON Phoenix Lite 2 was a 2006 GMC full size truck. There is a big difference in the amount of overall data pids and bidirectional control between that older vehicle and a brand new car. BIG difference!

My previous TOPDON Phoenix Lite 2 video that give a complete overview of this scan tool can be found here: https://youtu.be/KUL7bFuvFp0

After trying this for a few days it quickly became on of my favorite OBD2 diagnostic tools. It is very easy to use, it has all the functionality that I want and need, and it’s price point makes it one of the best values on the entire scan tool market. Not only does it have ALL the functionality, it comes with 2 years of free software and firmware updates, at a price that can not be beat.

TOPDON PHOENIX LITE 2 Specs:
• Includes one year manufacturer warranty
• Includes two years free software and firmware updates
• After the two years of free updates, the updates will cost $430 per year (The price was lowered since the video was recorded)
• Updates are NOT required to continue using the scan tool at its current software level
• 8″ high-resolution LCD screen
• 12600mAh battery
• 4-core 2.0Ghz
• 2GB Ram / 32GB Rom (storage)
• Supports FCA Gateway Access
• Wireless Bluetooth Vehicle Connection Interface