# Truly Universal Car Code Reader **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** code, focus, ford\ **Created:** [April 16, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769 "2011-04-16T18:52:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![huuvola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@huuvola](https://community.cartalk.com/u/huuvola)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/1 "2011-04-16T18:52:30Z")
I am looking for a truly universal car code reader/reset thingamajig for the following makes/models; 1992 Geo Prism, 2001 Pontiac Bonneville, 1994 Ford Explorer, 2008 Ford Focus, 2004 Jeep Wrangler… and I think that covers it. I realize prior to '96 the connector wasn’t universal. Is there a reader for sale that would accommodate all of these? ---
**Author:** ![dodge330](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@dodge330](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dodge330)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/2 "2011-04-16T19:51:42Z")
Yes, I have a OBD 1 and OBD 2 scantool from Sears. Check it out 920899 is stock number. It’s a little pricey, but it works for me! ---
**Author:** ![huuvola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@huuvola](https://community.cartalk.com/u/huuvola)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/3 "2011-04-16T19:56:38Z")
[http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p\_10153\_12605\_00920899000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2](http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920899000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2) Is that the one you have? Wow! Talk about top o’ the line! ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/4 "2011-04-16T20:15:22Z")
That unit is made by Innova. It may be the 3120 model. Check out this link and you will say WOW! again when you see the price. > **[Amazon.com: INNOVA 3120 Diagnostic Scan Tool/Code Reader for OBD1 and OBD2 Vehicles: Automotive](https://www.amazon.com/Equus-3120-Diagnostic-Scanner-Vehicles/dp/B000KID2ZC)** > > Designed to retrieve diagnostic codes in all OBD2 (1996 and newer) and some of the most popular OBD1 (1981 to 1995) vehicles this item features unique patented all-in-one screen display and LED displa ... ---
**Author:** ![huuvola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/58f4c7/32.png) [@huuvola](https://community.cartalk.com/u/huuvola)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/5 "2011-04-16T21:12:00Z")
“Woowoo we wooo”… wow! Much better price. Thank you both! ---
**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/6 "2011-04-18T04:00:44Z")
I am confused. I thought several years ago I read somewhere that newer cars in the last 3 or 4 years changed from OBDII, but looking at scanners, they seem to be stated as usable on the very latest cars. I tell ya’, that 3140 at Amazon for $175 looks like it would be real practical here in Mexico where people drive older cars. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/7 "2011-04-18T04:40:11Z")
Get the one from Sears. It has CAN (Controller Area Network) capabilities. The cheaper one doesn’t. Tester ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/8 "2011-04-18T04:40:13Z")
On that Prism, you can create a short between two of the connector terminals and the CEL would give out the codes by flashing. I do not remember which two, but I am sure someone has it on google or Toyota specific forums. ---
**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/9 "2011-04-18T04:50:50Z")
I think CAN must be what I was asking about. All the models from that company, at Amazon, show CAN compatibility on a chart on the 3120. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/10 "2011-04-18T16:18:24Z")
You can program your laptop to act as a scanner with the correct interface cable…Cables and programs available on eBay, some for under $20… ---
**Author:** ![FoDaddy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/fodaddy/32/717_2.png) [@FoDaddy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FoDaddy)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/truly-universal-car-code-reader/63769/11 "2011-04-18T17:19:56Z")
My Diablosport Preadator tuner can also function as an OBDII scanner for any OBDII car. I’ve pulled codes off of Volvos,Toyotas,Fords,etc. It doesn’t do OBDI though.