Premium Scan Tool Alternatives

Although professional-grade scan tools can be prohibitively expensive, you can achieve much of the same functionality without breaking the bank. Some of the things you might want to have in your toolbox include:

a good consumer-grade scan tool or ELM327 scanner

a multimeter and, if possible, scope

access to the Internet

While resources on the Internet don’t provide a direct 1:1 replacement for the type of troubleshooting information you get with a professional-grade scan tool, this is definitely a more affordable way to go.

A good consumer-grade scan tool (or an ELM327 scanner and the right software) will get you on the right track, and you can supplement the information that your toop provides with an online OBD-II code chart and troubleshooting information. After you’ve tracked down the likely culprit, tools like a multimeter and scope will help you determine whether or not specific components are bad.