Bi-directional scanner recommendations

[eric1514]

I want a scanner for my cars. Because it was cheap, $50 after coupons, and because it had lifetime free updates, I bought a Kingbolen Ediag Elite. It works with all my cars and trucks and is actually a slick little piece of gear when it works, except that it won't recognize my Jeep and I'm afraid it never will. My newest vehicle is a 2019 and I'm strictly a DIY mechanic. I don't want to work on anyone else's car.

Any recommendations from anybody? Cost is an issue as not having to subscribe to any services.

TIA

 

[lfhoward]

I have an app called JScan, and a Bluetooth BLE OBDII dongle, which is just for Jeeps and other Chrysler products. I can do some helpful bidirectional things with it. I’ve programmed in daytime running lamps, set the right tire size, and more. Recently I used it to toggle the ASD relay when diagnosing a bad fuel injector. JScan might be worth a look if you just need a scanner for your Jeep and your Kingbolen can read your other vehicles. I think the OBDII dongle was something like $40 on Amazon and JScan charges a one time $20 fee per VIN.

 

[eric1514]

I have an app called JScan, and a Bluetooth BLE OBDII dongle, which is just for Jeeps and other Chrysler products. I can do some helpful bidirectional things with it. I’ve programmed in daytime running lamps, set the right tire size, and more. Recently I used it to toggle the ASD relay when diagnosing a bad fuel injector. JScan might be worth a look if you just need a scanner for your Jeep and your Kingbolen can read your other vehicles. I think the OBDII dongle was something like $40 on Amazon and JScan charges a one time $20 fee per VIN.

Unfortunately, the JScan app doesn't support the KJ.

 

[lfhoward]

Unfortunately, the JScan app doesn't support the KJ.

Oh shoot. Sorry, I didn’t know that.

 

[eric1514]

Oh shoot. Sorry, I didn’t know that.

Yeah, it's too bad. A few months ago, I got all excited watching a YT video showing some guy turn off a TPMS light on his Jeep, a thing I'd love to be able to do, only to find out that the app only supports Libertys from 2008 and up.

 

[Krf]

Brands like Innova and Gearwrench offer bi-directional tools with free lifetime software and firmware updates. Most of the others require an annual subscription fee after the first time included subscription runs out. If you are working on modern vehicles (2018+ FCA models like Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo), you may need an AutoAuth subscription. This is an OEM-mandated security gateway subscription that allows your tool to bypass vehicle firewalls to perform bi-directional controls.

 

[derekj]

Take a look at some of the Autel offerings - good bang for buck tools - used by lots of shops as a back up tool.