If you have a Diesel HD truck - Code reader

I Know the Autel units work. I have this one Autel 519
It is by no means the best one out there, but so far it has worked on everything I have tried it on , from cars, to mid size trucks (250/2500- 350/3500) models including diesels , and I did use it to check a couple of Class C's that were based on 450 chassis.

The common $20 reader works with my 02 diesel and the free torque app.

wanderingaimlessly wrote:
I Know the Autel units work. I have this one Autel 519
It is by no means the best one out there, but so far it has worked on everything I have tried it on , from cars, to mid size trucks (250/2500- 350/3500) models including diesels , and I did use it to check a couple of Class C's that were based on 450 chassis.

Thanks I was just looking at that on Amazon.

As for the $20 unit, they all will read the OBD2 codes but diesels have their own set of extra codes, on Fords I believe its CAN2 in addition to the gasser codes. Fuel injector codes for example or DEF. Things that do not exist on gas trucks.

I like the ScanGauge II because you can add custom parameters to it and the cost is reasonable for a standalone device. Many people are going with an OBDII dongle and smart phone with software to monitor their vehicles which is another option. Did you see this thread?

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30074765.cfm

Bedlam wrote:
I like the ScanGauge II because you can add custom parameters to it and the cost is reasonable for a standalone device. Many people are going with an OBDII dongle and smart phone with software to monitor their vehicles which is another option. Did you see this thread?

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30074765.cfm

Thanks but look at the first reply on that thread. I checked a number of the readers mentioned and none claim to read diesel specific codes. At least the ones I checked before giving up.

Curious as to what codes are specific?

I have one of these and it {seems} to work? Or am I missing something?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007XE8C74?pd_rd_i=B007XE8C74&pd_rd_w=Jv28v&pf_rd_p=a5a2473c-04e3-4528-a4d4-06f356b68123&pd_rd_wg=xAlyf&pf_rd_r=E64DXKZZNGYKDH8HDBVM&pd_rd_r=a3535361-7c8a-437f-b429-851732e00b8e

A code reader reads codes. Doesn't matter if gas or diesel. I use an Auto Link AL319 for all my vehicles.

Camper8251 wrote:
Curious as to what codes are specific?

I have one of these and it {seems} to work? Or am I missing something?

Maybe none, I think that brand may do CAN2. The codes that could be missing are ones for example: DEF or Glow Plugs which gas vehicles do not have. I looked at this several years ago and the only ones that read diesel codes at that time were $300 or so plus you had to buy a code pack for your truck. I think some of them came with one code pack. That has obviously changed.

Hmmm interesting. I used the one mentioned on my diesel and it seems to work, I dont have DEF and have not had Glow Plug issues. But It did tell me my MAF sensor and EGR were bad.

agesilaus wrote:

Bedlam wrote:
I like the ScanGauge II because you can add custom parameters to it and the cost is reasonable for a standalone device. Many people are going with an OBDII dongle and smart phone with software to monitor their vehicles which is another option. Did you see this thread?

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/30074765.cfm

Thanks but look at the first reply on that thread. I checked a number of the readers mentioned and none claim to read diesel specific codes. At least the ones I checked before giving up.

it does. I had one on my 2004.5 duramax and have one on my 2015 duramax. It will read all codes that trigger are stored or pending. Basically any code reader will read codes that are stored. It gave me the code that indicated my grid heater was not working, a quick trip to the dealer and a new grid heater under warranty.

Depending on vehicle it can do other things. On GM it will read balance rates, boost, EGT, soot level, distance since regen, and a bunch more.

Now if what you are looking for is something that gives live data and will do what factory service systems do, that's another story. These systems will do more than read codes, it will check virtually ALL car systems. Foxwell scanners do that. I have one for my duramax and one for my acura. they will let you do things like lock/unlocks doors, run AC etc. etc.