INNOVA 3140 OBD2/OBD1 Scan Tool Review. Ease of use- the process of installing the OBD tool software is outright simple, easy and beginner friendly.
The current version now being sold by Amazon the 3140e. The major difference is the color display, the sticker on the face of the unit is now gray and it only comes with only one zipper pouch. Another thing I think is supper-cool, the OBD connector end of the cable has lights.
No flashlight required under the dash. Overall options and function is very good but they loose one star for my inability to resister the unit, it has to be done with the PC Link software but does not work at this time. Also, the sticker on the face of the unit keeps pealing up in a few spots, witch to me is annoying.
Update: $200.00 down the drain. Innova Support is now stating that their product documentation is wrong and that my car will not work with their product. After this experience, I would recommend going to your local auto parts store and testing one of their Scan Tools before making a purchase. Stay away from this company and product. If you do not see a review, from someone using this product on the make, model, and years as your car, consider another unit. I purchased this scanner so I would have one tool for all my ODB1 and ODB2 vehicles.
This unit will not connect to my 1985 Chevy Camaro even though the documentation states the Scan Tool is compatible. I have been working with customer support, but I do not see a solution forthcoming as they have me trying every which way to connect to the car's computer with the car started, the car off, the car ignition on, but not started, the car upside down. Nothing works. I have an ODB1 tool from the early 1990's that connects to the Camaro so I know it isn't the cars diagnostic port or computer. Thank you for taking the time to review our product. We do have coverage on the 1985 Chevy Camaro as an option.
I do want to inform you that the OBD1 system is not the most reliable system. The fact that we do have the Camaro as an option in the manual is because we made sure and tested the 1985 Camaro to make sure it is compatible with the tool. Unfortunately, OBD1 fail after time. If you have any further questions about the 3130f please feel free to contact us at 800-544-4124. We are open Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm PST.
I loved my scan tool for a few years despite its not working on random cars and being mad that Innova never got around to fixing any of the problems people have had since day one. For years I asked about problems with the tool and was told that things would be fixed in eventual updates. I recently went to update the tool and found that Innova dropped all support for the older models and no updates are available.
There are updates for the newer models just not my older one. This completely defeats the whole purpose in buying an upgradable tool. When I asked Innova about it they said that they still support the tool but no updates will ever be available.???
That means they don't support it to me. I am disgusted with companies taking advantage of their customers and forcing them to buy new when the old product works fine and the only problem is that the company isn't making new money off you. Innova does not answer any e-mail whether it's to the company or the support department even if you wait weeks for them to answer, so don't waste your time. They only answer the phone so be prepared to sit on hold for a while if you need help.
So basically its a great tool that won't work on a few random vehicles and when they come out with a new model you will have to throw it away and buy a new one. The current version now being sold by Amazon the 3140e. The major difference is the color display, the sticker on the face of the unit is now gray and it only comes with only one zipper pouch. Another thing I think is supper-cool, the OBD connector end of the cable has lights.
No flashlight required under the dash. Overall options and function is very good but they loose one star for my inability to resister the unit, it has to be done with the PC Link software but does not work at this time. Also, the sticker on the face of the unit keeps pealing up in a few spots, witch to me is annoying. This is a good scan tool for DIYs and starting mechanics wallet who still work on cars built before 1996 (OBD1) but still need OBD2 capabilities, it won't break your wallet. The scanner also works for those 'grey areas' found in the 1995 models at have hybrid OBD1 and OBD2 systems, such as 1995 GM vehicle.
If memory serves I upgraded my software to the next level for $99. I can read SRS and ABS codes with it like the next level up scanner.
This scanner will also check your emission status and tell you when all the inspection and monitoring statuses are ready for emissions checking. Great handy tool.
I had the 3130 model and it was taken. This was a nice upgrade. I have had mixed results and accuracy in OBD I applications. However on OBD II Side of things, it's worked very well. I recently loaned this to a friend since he had a failed instrument cluster after a poor radio install. Viewing the Live Data for vehicle speed, he was able to see the ECM was seeing the speed sonsor fine, and thus not chase after changing the VSS as he was about to do.
It's worked well with my 2005 Audi A6. I keep it in my trunk, and it's easier than going to parts store, for a free scan. If you own a car, and intend to diagnose, this is a great tool to see what the computer is seeing, on a basic level.
On my 2002 Subaru, it was able to indicate a failing cat by comparing 1st and Second 02 sensor values. So far it's met my expectations. There are many connectors included for different makes ( required mostly for earlier OBD I vehicles). Most 2002 and later vehicles, you will need only the OBD II Cable attached. I have not used this on any OBD1 vehicles yet.
I can't review that part of this tool. The OBD2 part is great. I talk to a mechanic before a bought this. I ask him what he would recommend and he said anything with live data and he ask me how much I was gonna to spend and I told him around two or three hundred. He than told me that I was on the right track.
He also said never replace any part based on a DTC code. That just points you in the right direction. You then use the live data part of the tool to dig deeper to the problem.
This does take skill he said. I would have to play with the tool to learn more about it and how to use it. With that said this is a great tool for the money and for anyone who just want's to know what's going on with th'er car.
I shoped around about 6 months. If I'm going to sink 2 or 3 hundred dollors into a tool I was going to find one that a mechanic recommeded and something that was easy to use. Some stores had this same tool for a much higher price others had th'er name on it with a hard case the same scan tool and everything. Whats in a case I'm putting this in my tool box. For the bad reviews. It sounded like they were looking for a mechanic in a box.
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(Just hook up the tool, find out what DTC code turned the light on, replace what the code reads that simple) Nope it's harder than that. All you know at this point is what code turn the light on and what may have caused it and if you know how to read the live data then you should be able to fix it. If your still stuck and need to take take your car to the shop, you know about whats wrong.
You can tell the mechanic you know something. Besides my check engine light is on.
INNOVA 3140 Reviews I've been working on cars a while now and I've used a few of these type of code readers/scanners (Snap-on and Mac) and I've found that this one does almost everything you would expect a pro model to do and a price that can't be beat. Shows everything you really need to know, the screen is very large and easy to read, the button layout is good, but can be confusing at first, there should have been an extra button or two as some of the controls do double or triple duty, you have to read the manual and have it on hand until you get used to the controls.
I've used it right away to diagnose a problem in my late model truck and have plugged it in to a number of makes and models with great success. It's results are almost as detailed as say the Snap-on, but it costs 1/10 the price! The included software is nice, but not as full featured as it should be in saving data results. I highly recommend doing a firmware update to the unit, mine shipped with firmware 1.0 and the new firmware v2 adds some extra diagnostic functions, such as advanced DTC codes for some makes and updates the DTC code library in the unit, the unit seemed to read live data faster as well. Being able to read OBD I codes is a plus, but there are many limitations on the makes and models, a glaring omission is the lack of Nissan OBD I (Just because I own a older Nissan!). I do all my own repairs and would highly recommend this unit.
The unit comes with two nylon cases, one for the unit, OBD II cable, manual and the other for pc serial cable and OBD I adapters and the cases zip together for easy transport. I do have one big complaint, this is 2007, who uses serial connectors anymore? My laptop does not even have one, I have to go out and buy a serial to USB2.0 adapter, it works well and the unit synced fine with my laptop with the adapter, but you would figure that they would have put the serial connector to rest by now. Innova 3140 pro innova 3140 diagnostic code scanner innova 3140 manual innova 3140 b innova 3140 review innova 3140 firmware update equus 3140 scanner innova scan tool INNOVA 3140 Reviews.