BiDirectional Scan Tool: A Product Review
A scan tool is a necessary diagnostic tool for finding and correcting engine problems.
Looking for the best products? We've got you covered! Our editors independently selected each item on this list. Mechanicaddicts may collect a share of sales or other compensation from links found within these pages if they choose to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity; enjoy finding your next favorite thing today!
Are You Looking for the Best Bi-directional Scan Tools
There are a lot of factors to consider when trying to find the best bidirectional scan tool on the market. We have reviewed eight different brands of bi-directional scan tools for you.
How We Choose a Quality Bi-Directional Scan Tool for You
Our team will be reviewing eight different high-quality bidirectional scan tools. These scan tools have been carefully selected for their quality and performance. We'll test them for accuracy and their ability to communicate and retrieve diagnostic trouble codes needed to complete repairs.
Whether You’re a Professional Mechanic or a Do-It-Yourselfer, We Want to Help You Find the Best Bidirectional Scan Tool for Your Needs
With our thorough reviews, you'll be able to compare the different features of each bi-directional scan tool and make an informed decision about which one is right for you.
We Have Reviewed Eight Precision Scan Tools
What You Should Know About This Product
The Innova 5610 bidirectional scan tool is the newest and most advanced OBD2 scanner. This state-of-the-art tool helps you quickly find and fix problems with your vehicle.
The included car code scanner app, RepairSolutions2, gives you real-time solutions to troubleshoot and fix your automotive issues. With this automotive scanner, you can get verified fixes, find and purchase the exact part required for repair, view maintenance schedules, receive technical bulletins and recalls, and access Innova's best-in-class database.
This scanner is a must-have for any serious car enthusiast or professional mechanic.
The Innova 5610 OBD2 code reader is a powerful diagnostic tool that can help to keep your vehicle in top condition. It can read and clear engine codes and check brake pad life, oil system life, tire pressure, and transmission temperature.
It also works as a hybrid battery tester for battery initialization and reads cell voltage.
This Innova scan tool supports English, Spanish, and French, making it a valuable resource for any home mechanic. With its professional-level functionality, the Innova 5610 is an essential tool for keeping your vehicle running smoothly.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
Bidirectional controls allow you to send commands to your vehicle to actively test actuators and functionality. This can be extremely useful when diagnosing problems with your vehicle.
Unlike other scan tools, you can view live stream data of engine codes like ABS, SRS, and engine and store it to graph, record, and/or playback the scanned parameters. Bidirectional controls are not universally compatible with all vehicles, so check compatibility before purchasing.
It's essential to be informed about your car's emission status and other vital information - after all, it's your life on the line when you're on the road.
This easy-to-use self-diagnosis tool lets you know your smog check results before your state does. Simply hook it up to your car's engine and let the device work its magic.
In addition to determining your emission status, this car check engine light reader also includes ABS (Brake) and SRS (Airbag and Seatbelt) functions, so you can ALWAYS drive safely. Knowing is half the battle - be sure to equip yourself with this essential tool before hitting the open road.
What You Should Know About This Product
Autel's new software version V2.62, released on June 1st, 2022, is bringing a powerful active test to the MK808, making it the most cost-effective Autel scanner on the market. The active test is widely equipped for car subsystems to help you check the conditions of all the car's actuators, such as windows up/down, switch on/off, rear mirror fold/unfold, and more.
With its advanced 28+ hot service functions, including oil reset, SAS calibration, odometer, IMMO keys (disable lost keys, add new keys), ABS bleeding, injector coding, and battery registration, the MK808 is an ideal choice for car shop owners and professional mechanics alike. Update your MK808 today to take advantage of this new function.
Computation is one of the most important factors when choosing a vehicle diagnostic tool. You want to make sure that the tool you select will work with the make and model of your car and any other cars you might need to use it on. With that in mind, the Autel MK808 is a great choice, as it works with more than 80 makes and models of cars worldwide.
It can also read clear codes, view live data for all available systems, and generate a detailed report that includes possible fixes for the problem. And if you're worried about losing your keys, the MK808 can also add new keys and remotely disable lost ones - making it an excellent choice for those with higher-end anti-theft systems.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808 is one of the most affordable and versatile OE-level scanners. The AutoVIN technology can quickly and easily get detailed information about any vehicle, including engine type, manufacture date, and much more. The combination of MD802 and MaxiCheck Pro, with an A9 processor, 7-inch LCD touch screen, and 64G memory, provides the maximum speed of diagnosis and convenience of quick operation.
This original Autel scanner is backed up by Autel's official after-sale service with a 1-year warranty, an available 30-day return & replacement policy, and 24/7 thoughtful support. We are an authorized Autel seller and provide you with the newest original MK808 with reliable quality. You can't go wrong with this affordable and versatile scanner.
What You Should Know About This Product
Thinktool Pad10 is a state-of-the-art scan tool designed for auto repair shops. It provides 34 maintenance services for 10,000+ vehicles, including DPF regeneration, Throttle Learning, Battery Matching, EPB, SAS, Oil Light Reset, injector coding, and more.
The bidirectional control scan tool transmits commands to the ECU and performs active tests such as cooling fan, A/C, ABS pump, window/wiper/sunroof/door test, etc., to help you quickly find the fault location and fix the fault problem. With its advanced features and user-friendly interface, Thinktool Pad10 is the perfect tool for any auto repair shop.
The Thinkscan Pad10 is a professional bidirectional scan tool that offers many benefits over its older predecessor, the Thinkscan Plus. Perhaps most notably, it comes equipped with a 33ft range BT Wireless diagnostic, which provides more stable and faster data transmission.
Additionally, the Pad10 offers OE -level entire system diagnostics by reading/clearing code, live data, freeze frame data, ECU information, and more. With 99% vehicle coverage and broad compatibility with OBD II /EOBD-compliant vehicles, the Pad10 is an excellent choice for anyone needing a robust and reliable scan tool.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
The Thinktool Pad10 is a top-of-the-line diagnostic tool that offers a smooth and efficient experience. It has the same Samsung Exynos 8895 8-core processor and Android 10.0 OS as the previous model but features a larger 10-inch touchscreen. It also has 6GB RAM & 128GB ROM and comes with multiple non-standard OBDII adapters. The Pad10 is perfect for advanced DIYers, auto repair shops, garages, and home mechanics who appreciate a big screen.
Thinktool Pad10 Professional Bidirectional Scan Tool is the world's first automotive diagnostic platform that combines the power of J2534 with advanced diagnostics, all on an Android operating system. With its unique hardware and software architecture, the MaxiSys Elite offers instrumentation engineers, service technicians, and R&D professionals more flexibility to tunning various parameters and configurations Marvell PXA1928 Eight-core 64bit high-speed processor.
The built-in Bluetooth module provides easy connection to vehicles in any location for comfortable working conditions, leaving lousy weather outside, and allows scanning of a vehicle that does not fit in a bay or is up on a lift. 7000mAh rechargeable battery (up to 15 hours or more of battery life) to avoid frequent charging. 6 + 128Gb storage to save more vehicle documents and customer data.
Now available with an impressive variety of additional OE-Level adapters for all your vehicles!
Regarding automotive diagnostics, speed and accuracy are of the utmost importance. The Thinktool Pad10 Professional Bidirectional Scan Tool has a powerful 1.8GHz octa-core CPU processor. This allows the device to perform diagnostics quickly and efficiently. In addition, the Pad10 features multi-PID live data graphing on one screen.
This makes it easy to navigate through 12 different data streams (graphic and textual), allowing you to get the information you need in a fraction of the time. And with 8X fast auto VIN technology and front and rear camera pixels of 2MP and 5MP, you can be sure that you're getting accurate information every time. Whether you're a professional mechanic or a DIY enthusiast, the Thinktool Pad10 will make your life easier.
What You Should Know About This Product
Any professional mechanic knows that having a high-quality scan tool is essential for correctly diagnosing and repairing modern vehicles. The new LAUNCH X431 V+ PRO 4.0 scan tool builds on the success of its predecessor by adding several advanced features, including online coding, flash hidden functions, component matching, anti-theft IMMO service, and more.
These new features allow mechanics to work quickly and efficiently, while the broad vehicle coverage ensures that the V+ PRO 4.0 can be used on many vehicles. In addition, the 35+ reset functions make it easy to perform everyday maintenance tasks, such as oil reset, TPMS reset, injector coding, and throttle adaptation. With its powerful capabilities and user-friendly design, the LAUNCH X431 V+ PRO 4.0 is a must-have for any professional workshop.
The high-end LAUNCH bidirectional scan tool – X431 V+ 4.0, works as an OEM scanner to customize cars as needed via advanced ECU coding. To boost business & maximize profit, Launch X431 V+ 4.0 can match/re-code/initialize the ECUs with replaced components and refresh hidden features. Online Coding is compatible with VW, Audi, BMW, Porsche, etc. And the Offline Coding is available for Nissan, Nissan-GTR, Infiniti, Hyundai,...Offline Coding doesn't need a network; it can be used anywhere. Car owners can install new car features according to their needs and make their cars more personal. Launch X431 V+ 4.0 will also provide professional data reporting and analysis to help repair shops improve their service quality and operations efficiency.
What's more, it supports language customization & one-click software updates. The bidirectional control of X431 V+4.0 makes car maintenance much more accessible than ever!
As any car owner knows, keeping a vehicle in good working order is essential for safe and reliable transportation. But diagnosing and repairing car problems can be challenging, even for experienced mechanics. That's where the LAUNCH X431 V+ 4.0 bidirectional scan tool comes in.
This powerful tool can quickly and easily identify issues with a vehicle's engine control unit (ECU), transmission control unit (TCU), ABS system, SRS system, BCM, BMS, TPMS, and A/C system. Moreover, the X431 V+ 4.0 can perform active tests on specific components, such as fuel pumps, a/c fans, inside mirrors, headlamps, windows, and horns.
As a result, this bidirectional scanner is an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to keep their car in top condition.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
LAUNCH X431 V+ PRO 4.0 automotive scanner is a powerful tool that can help you diagnose and fix various problems with your vehicle. The scanner has optimized hardware with Android 9.0 OS for quick processing and extendable 128GB memory to save data. In addition, the scanner supports extended modules (SOLD SEPARATELY): TPMS tool--X431 TSGUN; Bluetooth battery tester--BST360; LAUNCH immobilizer & key programmer--X-PROG 3; Video Scope--VSP600; X-431 Printer.
These extended modules make the scanner much more professional and accurate, allowing you to quickly fix various models. With so many features, the LAUNCH X431 V+ PRO 4.0 automotive scanner is an essential tool for any serious mechanic or car enthusiast.
What You Should Know About This Product
The TOPDON Phoenix Lite 2 is a powerful car diagnostic tool that supports FCA Gateway Access. This allows you to work on the most modern makes and perform more functions, such as clearing DTCs, performing active tests, reading codes, and monitoring live data. ThePhoenix Lite 2 is easy to use and very user-friendly. You can use it to work on Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat vehicles. The Phoenix Lite 2 is an excellent choice for those who want a reliable and powerful diagnostic tool.
In the past, diagnosing and repairing vehicle issues was a time-consuming and expensive process. However, with the advent of advanced diagnostic tools, such as Android 10.0, it is now possible to quickly and easily identify problems with your vehicle. The device comes equipped with a powerful 4-core processor and 12600mAh battery, making it capable of running multiple tasks quickly and efficiently. In addition, the 8-inch display provides ample space for viewing vehicle data, and the device supports 22 different software languages.
Perhaps most importantly, the device can clear fault codes in all systems with just one click, making it an essential tool for any modern garage.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
The Phoenix Lite 2 is a tool that offers FCA Gateway access to perform enhanced diagnostics on FCA vehicles. This includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and more. The Phoenix Lite 2 also has the AutoVIN function, which allows it to gather important vehicle information.
This is very important because it can tell the customer the vehicle's make, model, and year of manufacture. Additionally, the phoenix Lite 2 features an 8" high-resolution LCD screen (1280*800 pixels) that makes the screen visible. This is important because the customer can see more details in the interface. Lastly, the Phoenix Lite 2 has a larger battery capacity to save you from repeatedly charging the Lite 2 throughout the day.
The 12600mAh battery has up to 24 hours of battery life with the screen on. This is exceptional because you will not have to worry about continuously charging your device.
What You Should Know About This Product
The ThinkDiag2 is a bi-directional scan tool that supports complete system diagnosis for most vehicles. It can read clear codes and perform datastream, actuation tests, special functions, coding, adaptation, and module information functions for all systems. The tool comes with free software updates and usage for one year, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the model software.
The ThinkDiag2 is an essential tool for anyone looking to diagnose or repair their own vehicle.
We are proud to offer our affordable and easy-to-use bidirectional diagnostic scan tool. This affordable scan tool is perfect for quickly identifying error codes and diagnosing problems with your vehicle. The scan tool supports actuation tests, drives solenoids and actuators for active testing, and sends commands to the system/component to test its operating status without vehicle controls.
This makes it easy to operate and saves a lot of time when identifying the cause of a fault. In addition, the scan tool supports ECU CODING, which allows you to match replacement components to the ECU. It also can activate the hidden functions for some BMW, VW, AUDI, and BENZ models.
With this scan tool, you'll be able to quickly and efficiently diagnose problems with your vehicle - making repairs quick and easy.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
The diagnostic scan tool can be extremely useful in helping you to maintain your vehicle. Reading and clearing error codes allows you to keep tabs on potential problems and nip them before they cause severe damage.
The onboard monitor test is also valuable, allowing you to see how well your vehicle performs. And if you ever have a problem with your EVAP system, the diagnostic scan tool can help you troubleshoot and fix the issue. In short, the diagnostic scan tool is an essential equipment for any car owner.
A system diagnostic tool is an essential piece of equipment for any car owner. It can help diagnose problems with your car's engine, transmission, brakes, and more. The system diagnostic tool is compatible with OBDII protocols, like ISO 11898-1:2015 (CAN-FD), IOS 15765-4 (CAN), etc. It supports most vehicles manufactured after 1996 that use the OBDII protocol.
It only supports 12V cars, including gasoline, diesel, and new energy cars. If you are unsure whether the functions work on your car model, please provide your car's model, the year of manufacture, the country of manufacture, and which functions you want to do, and we will confirm for you. The system diagnostic tool is a valuable asset for any car owner who wants to maintain their car.
What You Should Know About This Product
The FOXWELL NT809 is a bi-directional scan tool that can send commands to vehicle ECUs to perform component tests. This is extremely useful for narrowing down problems or maintenance tasks like brake caliper resets when replacing brake pads. The bi-directional obd2 scanner can also be used to check the functionality of various control modules, such as the lock/unlock door function, turn A/C on/off, roll windows up/down, and shut off injectors.
This makes the device an unbeatable value. Plus, with the FCA Autoauth feature on 2018+ FCA vehicles, the FOXWELL NT809 is the top dog in Foxwell's Android-based scan tool lineup. This professional all-system diagnostic scanner can perform fast and accurate diagnosis for all available control modules (ABS, SRS, Engine, Suspension, A/C...), making it an essential tool for any garage or workshop.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
A comprehensive car scanner with most service reset functions has been a trend in the market. Generally, dozens of code readers in a similar cost range only offer several or 10+ service reset functions. Whereas 30 services reset functions with wider compatibility are newly added to the NT809 car diagnostic tool, helping you work efficiently.
The menu name of crankshaft relearn is "RESET CRANKSHAFT (GEAR LEARN)." Share real-time Diagnostic Reports Battery Health Monitor Both functions are fantastic and highly convenient. And you will rarely find them on non-android scanners. A diagnostic report can be generated after finishing the diagnosis, which could be shared with your friends or customers.
What You Should Know About This Product
The ANCEL DS700 diagnostic tool works as an OEM scanner to customize cars as needed via advanced ECU coding. To boost business & maximize profit, it can match/re-code/initialize the ECUs with replaced components and refresh hidden features. Online Coding is compatible with VW, Audi, BMW, Porsche, etc. And Offline Coding is available for Ford, VW, BMW, Audi, etc.
This bidirectional scan tool can output commands to a vehicle’s ECUs (to systems/components), read ECU data, test their working status, and find faults without vehicle controls.
Active tests on specific components, such as fuel pumps, a/c fan, inside mirrors, headlamps, windows, and horns, will let you quickly know whether a particular system or component is functioning correctly.
What We Like About This Bidirectional Scan Tool
A bi-directional scan tool system is a system that can be used to scan and diagnose both OBD-II and all systems of car diagnostics. The intelligent diagnosis and 12-in-one real-time data stream graph allow you to locate your car problem in a few minutes. The ANCEL D700 OBD2 Scanner includes both ten OBD-II diagnostic functions and 34 hot reset functions: oil reset, EPB reset, DPF regeneration, TPMS reset, TPS reset, AFS(headlamp)Reset, SAS calibration, ABS bleeding, Gear learning, injector coding, BMS, IMMO service (key programmer), etc.
The bi-directional scan tool system can also help with the available functions that may vary by the test vehicle's year, model, and make. This system is essential for any car owner who wants to keep their car in good condition.
This professional car scanner is an affordable bidirectional scan tool equipped with advanced hardware from 2022. It can scan a vehicle's available systems in seconds and provides quick diagnosis on over 10,000+ car models worldwide.
Additionally, it supports 99% of car brands from America, Europe, Asia, and other national car models. Top it off, there are 23 languages to choose from without any language barrier!
Bidirectional Scan Tool FAQs
Why Do I Need a Bidirectional Scan Tool?
A few things are necessary regarding car repairs, such as having a bidirectional scan tool. This nifty little device allows mechanics to communicate with a car's computer system, which can be incredibly helpful in diagnosing and fixing problems.
With a car system bidirectional scan tool, mechanics can access all sorts of information about the car's performance. They can check engine codes, monitor sensor data, and even reprogram the computer system. This can be a real lifesaver when it comes to fixing complex issues with a car.
Of course, a bidirectional scan tool is also handy for routine maintenance tasks. Mechanics can use it to reset the "check engine" light, update the car's firmware, and even perform basic diagnostics. All in all, it's an essential piece of equipment for any mechanic who wants to work on modern cars.
What Is a Bidirectional Scan Tool?
Bidirectional functions control is a generic term that describes sending and receiving information between one device and another. The automotive bidirectional scan tool is programmed so a scan tool can request information or command a module to perform specific tests and functions.
What Is the OBD2 Active Test?
Many modern cars are equipped with onboard diagnostics, or OBD, systems. These systems constantly monitor the performance of the engine and other critical systems, and they can provide detailed information about any problems that are detected. One way to access this information is through an active test. Active tests are used to check the operation of specific components, and they can be performed using a handheld OBD scanner.
The scanner is connected to the OBD port to perform an active test, and a specific command is entered. This causes the tested component to activate, and the scanner will provide information about its operation. Active tests can be very useful for diagnosing problems with a car's engine, and they can often be performed without the need for special tools or equipment.
How Do You Read a DTC Code?
When a check engine light comes on, the first step is to read the DTC code. This can be done with a code reader purchased through our website or at any auto parts store. Once the code is read, it can be looked up in a DTC codebook to determine the cause of the problem. However, some codes may require further diagnosis by a mechanic.
If the code indicates a severe problem, it is best to take the car to a mechanic as soon as possible. However, if the code indicates a minor problem, it may be possible to fix it yourself. In either case, reading the DTC code is the first step in diagnosing the problem.
Do DTC Codes Clear Themselves?
DTC codes, or Diagnostic Trouble Codes, are used by automotive technicians to identify potential issues with a vehicle. Generally, DTC codes are stored in the vehicle's computer system and will remain there until a technician clears them. However, some DTC codes may clear themselves if the issue that caused them is resolved, and they may need several drive cycles to do this. For example, a DTC code for a loose gas cap may clear itself after the cap is tightened.
In other cases, DTC codes may persist even after the underlying issue has been addressed, which will need to be manually cleared by a technician. Ultimately, whether or not a DTC code clears itself depends on the nature of the problem that caused it. However, in most cases, a DTC code must be manually cleared by a technician.
Our Final Thoughts
Now that we've looked at a few different scan tools, it's time to give our final thoughts. First, bi-directional scan tools are a must-have for any mechanic. They allow you to quickly and efficiently diagnose problems with a vehicle, and they can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
Second, while there are a lot of different scan tools on the market, not all of them are created equal. Be sure to research and choose a tool that will meet your specific needs. And finally, don't forget to keep an eye on your budget.
Plenty of high-quality scan tools out there won't break the bank. With these considerations in mind, you're sure to find the perfect scan tool for your workshop.
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Todd Bandel