Do we need a special OBD2 scanner for our car?

[UHATEIT]

I have this particular unit for scanning OBD2 codes:

I have had this unit for about a year and it worked fine for my wife's 2001 Jetta and my 2005 350Z. But it will not link up to my Mazdaspeed3 to check and monitor the CEL I just got. I have no idea why this is not linking it keeps saying "linking error" everytime.

I used this thing numerous times on the 350Z and the Jetta so I knwo how to work it but am not sure why this is not working on the MS3.

Do any of you out there have this same unit and it works on your MS3? Or do any of you know if our car needs a special type of scanner to read the codes? I really want to check what the code is and monitor it. I will go to my local Autoparts stroe today after work and try theirs. But just not sure why this one isn't working as it has worked plenty of times before.

Besides mentioning going to the dealer (which is only 10 miles away but i have my own scanner to avoid having to go to them) any suggestions on what units you guys use or why this isn't working on this car?

 

[nig3]

it will work as long as it goes up to 2007, but it will only give codes if your lucky.

 

[CWPspeed3]

The DashHawk will read trouble codes and clear them along with the many other things it does. I havent had any CEL's yet so I dont know how well it works in that area. I also dont have any idea why your current scanner wouldnt be reading on a ms3 though.

 

[UHATEIT]

My local ms3 friend has a dashhawk, I will see if I can try his as well. I don't want to ruin his data logging or anything, will it do that if he puts it in my car really quick? I am not familiar with all the workings of the dashhawk, but don't want to ruin his logging/data

Yeah and it's complete BS as to why the scanner isn't working. It should work, but I know some newer cars require something that runs or checks CAN codes, wasn't sure if this car is like that also.

Anyone gone to a local auto parts place instead of a dealer and had one of the basic ones there work on your ms3? I'd just prefer not to drive all the way to my Dealer for this to get checked

 

[CWPspeed3]

He can save all of his layouts and datalogs on his computer and for checking or clearing trouble codes it shoudlnt mess with any of that data. I've plugged mine in to other ms3's and a couple Si's and it works fine and doesnt mess with anything. Other than I have a shift warning light at 6000rpm which made it go nuts on the hondas.

 

[UHATEIT]

can a dashhawk also tell you if you have compressor surge or boost leak?

 

[Betelgeuse]

can a dashhawk also tell you if you have compressor surge or boost leak?

Yes, with the datalogging feature.

 

[bizioto]

Carplugs OBD2

Check out this OBdii Scanner.


You need a laptop but it is a very powerful obdii and CAN scan tool.


Bizioto