4 things scanners won't do

[@NutsandBoltswithTone]

Great video Steve I love how you explained this. Now people will understand that mechanics do not have a magic computer that just tells us what it is gonna take to fix the vehicle.

[@ToolDemos]

Thanks Tony. I've noticed the 'magic computer' idea is very common. Hopefully people will give mechanics like you way more credit.

[@JackDaniels-v6f]

Your Video is misleading. I have a Launch scanner which is currently around $589. It does a lot if you know how to read the data. It does program, if you are talking about configuration programming. I replaced many ABS modules and the Launch copies conf from old module and to the new module. And it was a used module. The Launch will aso do the initial configuration on transmissions and hvac module. Resets on other modules. So my Launch can do programming, it just doesn't do flash updates or flash programming on brand new modules. If you have transmission rebuilt and they use the same TCM built into the transmission, you won't need any programming. if you replace a transmission with a brand new transmission from GM, that will have ro be flash programed and the scanner will not do this part. But you can rent a RAP from Dorman and program it. RAP remote access programming. So a scanner does programming and configuration or setup, but doesn't do flash programming. Im sure it you have a relative compression issue that is a real compression problem, you would eventually see a code. But since you had no codes, this does not mean the scan tool won't tell you what's wrong or which cylinder is misfiring. There is also mode 6 you can see misfires and also Launch shows you cylinder balance which is a graph and the lines drop low on the cylinders which are not contributing. Code or not the scanner works! Besides, setting codes is part of the diagnostic software of the module, not the scan tool. Has nothing todo with the scanner! You also need to understand long term and short term fuel trims. This can tell you if you have vacuum leak, or the engine is running rich or lean, and which bank or cylinders are affected. Fuel trims can also point you to a bad A/F or O2 sensor. Which you can view the O2 sensor voltages too and graph them. Now the PCM will not set a code if the ECT sensor is reading in range. If the range is -40F to 285F. If you unplug the ECT or have a broken wire or bad connection somewhere, it will read -40F which is in range and may not set a code, it's in range and doesn't know rhe wire is broken. But you know by looking at the PID, so the scanner does diagnose this problem! Did you know that -40F is the same as -40 celcius. If you have an engine running slightly rich and no code set, you can also view the MAF sensor reading to see if your MAF is over reporting the amount of air going into the engine. The scanner does this, so just because it don't show a MAF sensor code does not mean the scanner can't do this. What aftermarket scanners do not do is everything. No scanner can do everything on all car. Only the factory scan tools which only work on certain makes and certain models can do almost everything. Most scanners don't come with a scope, but I never used a scope and I fixes every car I came in contanct with 100% diagnosed guaranteed. In the past 15 years at least. Now there were times I wish I had a scope, but it wasn't absolutely necessary. Most scan tools don't do this. There are limitations with all scan tools, but to claim it don't work on this or that because you can't translate the data, doesn't mean it's not working. It's working!

[@mcplutt]

What Launch scanner do you have?

[@ToolDemos]

I think you and I agree on everything we just have different ways of expressing that.

[@JackDaniels-v6f]

@@mcplutt It's about 3 years old, Launch x431 Pros mini. It's small and sucks really, but still works. They have 10 inch screen scanners on sale ever so often for around $912. I've used the Snap-on scanners and they not any better. The latest Zeus+ is also a $100 per month subscription if you want updates and everything to work. Ridiculously priced and more often than not I had to grab the Launch.

[@John-yf4ie]

I purchased one of the more expensive Autel Scanners and could not detect 2 items stop/start battery issues and front or rear locker light. So I tried my friend Snap-on Apolo D9 and same issue. My Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was my first item to try and fix. Ended up replacing both batteries and this solved the problem. 2 issue- rear or front locker. Ended up buying Z bypass kit. This also solved the problem. I spoke to a friend that is shop foreman at a Jeep Dealership and problems such as these can only be found using factory equipment. Also he conneted their equipment and the system passed. We disconnected the bypass kit and found no problem with the lockers. His dealer usually drain and flushes out and debris!!! I admit, scanners have come a long way, but with all the new electronics most scanners are 1-2 years behind. Yanni

[@ToolDemos]

Exactly right. Great job solving your issues!

[@CPthetooladdict]

5:58 great information programming is definitely something that is very tricky.

[@ToolDemos]

@@CPthetooladdict thanks CP. cheers!

[@WeeToddDidd]

The cost of these new scanners is just too expensive for a guy who may actually need it a few times in their life. Plus subscription fees? then if you need to change a computer part you need another very expensive tool to program it to your car. The more computerized these cars become the less repairable to the average joe they become and the more they seem to break down. I kind of miss the older days of points , condenser and a strobe light to adjust timing.

[@ToolDemos]

I hear ya.

[@nowayjose596]

So what ended up being the actual mechanical issue that was causing low compression on that one cylinder? I'm wondering if the other bidders ended up being right to pass on it 🙃

[@ToolDemos]

@@nowayjose596 the exhaust follower on cylinder number six went bad and fell out. It also ruined that lobe of the camshaft. I had to replace the camshaft and that follower. The repair cost me less than $500.

[@billseay6399]

Hey thanks Love the video

[@Sral-v1z]

Scanners do very... yet there is scanners or aka obd2 diagnostic tool.. My maximums 4.0 and 5.0 scanners work great and I never had problems with reading codes even on cars or HD trucks or motorcycles that both scanners can do.

[@javiermarrero4229]

Saludos Steve 👍

[@ToolDemos]

Hi Javier, glad you’re here.

[@SaerTurner-wn2qh]

the Actually the Launch X431s can all do modal programing and matching and also copy and past for 62% of vehicles on the Scan tool so do better home work I use mine for Programing reprograming flashing on ford BMW VW Jaguar Landrover Benz Toyota Honda and some GM products and so many other manufactures there are only 5 manufactures whose software is not open source now you can not do every care but many scantools do allow you to do Programing on a very wide Variety of Cars and trucks .......but the nice thing is the upper end units like my Launch torque pro or china Version padV with the Jbox opens up a massive world and also thanks to emot diagnostics you can program any Vehicle wit the Scantool through Remote diagnostic's it may cost you a bit more than buying a one time use licence for 40-100 bucks but at leas you do not need to have any additional hardware or have to learn how to use oem software's some one on teh other end connect to your tablet and does the programing for you so YES with Units that come with a J-box you can program any Car off teh tablet

[@keysautorepair6038]

I get that every day people are like just hook it up to the scanner lol.

[@ToolDemos]

Very common misconception.

[@johnperez93640]

Every experienced mechanic knows that scanners dont tell u what the problem is. U have to know what the scanner is telling u and then know what to do with that info.

[@ORRadtech]

This might be helpful for a beginner diy person. But, by the time a diy'er is ready to spend $500 + on a scan tool they're aware of their limitations and are simply looking for more information or functionality.

[@052RC]

How do you bypass your O2 sensors for diagnostic purposes?

[@ToolDemos]

@052RC I put my foot to the floor on the test drive. It puts the car in open-loop.

[@ToolDemos]

I agree that a lot of DIYers are aware of their own limitations, but I thought it was useful to make them aware of scan tools’ limitations.

[@RobertYonng]

Scan tools tell you where to look then use basics to find the actual source. 👍

[@ToolDemos]

Exactly.

[@cryptkeeper420tv8]

What about a snap on scanner or top don

[@ToolDemos]

Topdon is very similar to Launch. Snap On does have some unique abilities.

[@f.k.b.16]

Are there ones will do air bags?

[@xXCigarXx]

Yes,some will do air bag function tests and such.

[@ToolDemos]

Both of the scanners I used in this video will do airbag.

[@radarman2000]

what do yo mean by "do airbags". yes they can read airbag codes?, but if the airbags have deployed, you cannot replace the bags then reset the airbag computer. that needs to be replaced or reprogrammed along with replacing the seatbelts. if you just have a faulty sensor, replacing the sensor and clearing the codes work

[@ToolDemos]

@@radarman2000 right. It will read codes, read data, and clear codes.

[@RobertYonng]

Kingbolen is made by launch

[@ToolDemos]

Yeah, it is. I think they call it white labeling.

[@markhuyette8509]

You forgot number five it can not reset readiness monitors that are not set that you have to do a complete drive cycle 😂😂

[@gadasavideos8564]

It actually resets the monitors to not ready when you clear codes. Obviously it can say they are ready , only a drive cycle can do that. Otherwise it would defeat emissions testing. Although that might actually work on a vw computer and scanner lol.

[@duscott1]

Don't be a parts changer like this guy he doesn't understand what he's talking about either