I'm thinking of buying an OBD2 scan tool. The one I'm looking at claims to be able to read codes on any 96 or newer vehicle. I own a 97 Dodge Ram and a 97 Neon, both of these vehicles I can retrieve 2 digit codes from turning the ignition switch off/on 3 times, will the OBD2 scanner work on the 97 models?

 

I would imagine so if the scanner says so and it is picking up codes from your 97 Neon and 97 Ram.


-Matt-

 

Yes. The scan tool will be more specific with the OBD2 codes that it retrieves.

 

O.K. so if I understand correctly, the 97 Dodges have OBD2 but you can still pull 2 digit codes just like the OBD1 of earlier models like I have with turning ignition swith on / off 3 times. This OBD2 scan tool should retrieve the P codes
I thought that vehicles were OBD or OBD2, not both, however I have seen on web sites that all vehicles made on or after Jan 1996 are OBD2, am I on the right track here? I just need a little assurance before I spend the $400. This scan tool specifically says it can read codes on OBD2 vehicles which includes all vehicles made on or after Jan 1996!

 

Yes. Scan tool will retrieve "P" code. It will work.

 

If it says that it works for your year vehicle I would think that it would work. What brand is the scanner?

 

Here is a link, I've tried to call them all day yesterday on there tech assist hotline and can't get anybody (not a good sign)

http://www.canobd2.com/tool/OBDSimple.asp

 

I finally got hold of someone at the company today, they told me it would work on the Neon but not the Ram pickup! The guy said it would say on the emissions sticker under the hood if it was OBD2 compliant! I look under the hood and no luck there, both my vehicles say they are built to Canadian Standards and may not meet the standards in other countries, so I talked to another guy at the company who told me that it would make no difference, the scan tool will work on the 97 Neon but not likely the 97 Ram because it was a 3/4 ton and weighed over 8800 lbs. I argued my truck did not weigh that much,( I scaled it at 6000 lbs with plow harness and trailer tow package). The guy says it weighs over 8800 lbs, he thinks I was talking about the load / tow capacity, I assured him I weighed the truck, he still did'nt believe me!
O.K so I decided to get the tool, I tried it on my truck and car and it works fine on both!
I'm very happy, thanks for the input from everyone

 

They don't care how much the truck physically weighs.
The weight he is referring to is GVW, which the 3/4 ton has a GVW of 8800 lbs.
Vehicles with a GVW of 8800 lbs. or more are considered heavy duty platforms and are exempt from allot of emissions laws.
Their scan tool is for light duty vehicles. There is a good chance however, that it may just work on the 1997 Ram 2500. They share a lot of common parts (engine and emissions) with the 1500 truck.