Actron CP9580 Auto Scanner with CodeConnect Trilingual OBD II, CAN and

 

Actron CP9580 Auto Scanner with CodeConnect Trilingual OBD II, CAN and ABS Scan Tool

 

Price : $151.65

Customer Reviews

I was happy with my purcase of the Astron CP9580 UNTIL I tried to do the setup which would allow the AutoScanner Plus CP9580 to upload the units memory results to my PC and print them. I have an intermitent MIL and I want to keep a hard copy of the data for several weeks. The problem with the CP9580 occurred when I tried to install the PC drivers that come with their Scanning Suite 3.0. software which I had downloaded from the Actron (SPX Corp) web site. Installing the software driver enables the CP9580 to communicate with a PC via the USB cable provided with the unit. Communication with a PC is also a function necessary to perform on-line updates for the CP9580's internal database. M/S Windows XP Pro (SP3) did not recognize the drivers. I did finally coax Windows to install a generic USB/COM port driver but this driver did not work either. I am familiar with PCs and drivers thru my profession and this installing procedure is not rocket science when you have the correct driver. I contacted SPX technical support and I spoke with 3 individuals to work through the problem. Tech support was friendly but they were unable to solve the problem. I was finally told that the unit was "too new" for them to have drivers that work and they "might" have them by December (they did't say of what year). I have now read the reviews (back to 2008) of other Actron units, such as the CP9185, and this driver problem seems to be systemic with Actron code scanners. Do NOT buy this unit IF you need the data dump and print to the PC function or if you buy new cars often and need updates for the internal database.Actron CP9580 Auto Scanner with CodeConnect Trilingual OBD II, CAN and ABS Scan Tool

After looking at scanners for several years, I finally decided to buy this one because it seemed to have the most usable features (including live data, graphing, recording, etc.) and also had the unique "Code Connect" feature for reporting the most likely fixes that work for specific makes and models based on a large reported ; verified repair database. I was not disappointed. So far, the "top reported fixes" for the detected trouble codes and vehicle model have been the ones which really worked on my own car and on friends' cars that I repaired. Although some reviewers claim that the Code Connect may not work well for certain car models which had very limited production numbers, it worked well for my repairs which included a Toyota Echo which was not a very common model.
Despite the fact that Code Connect is usually right on target with its fixes, a few of the fixes that come up would almost never work and look rather silly and unrelated to the trouble codes. I suspect that the reason may be some bad data that comes from incompetent or dishonest shops in the reporting data base. So if you sometimes see fixes that look ridiculous, don't be surprised - they probably ARE ridiculous.
Certain "cars" such as Jeep and SUV's are classified as trucks, so you may need to select truck on the scanner to find the make and model. The specific model list presently goes up to model year 2008, so you will need to select the generic "Global OBD II" on the menu for more recent vehicles or vehicles not on the list. Code Connect does not work for the generic Global OBD II selection, but you will still get the trouble codes with definitions.
Although powertrain (including emission) diagnostic trouble codes work for almost all domestic, Asian, and European vehicles, the ABS trouble codes will only come up for GM, Ford, and Chrysler vehicles 1996-2008. There is not much Code Connect fix info for ABS, but the ABS code definitions are usually enough to lead you to the problem. A few domestic vehicles are not ABS covered. You can check vehicle coverage by going to actron.com and selecting products, scan tools, Auto Scanner Plus 9580, and clicking the CP9580 ABS coverage chart link on the bottom of the page.
I recommend downloading and printing the User Manual which is over 100 pages and tells you much more than the Quick Start Manual included in the scanner package. You can get it on actron.com when you click customer service and then click user manuals.
You do not need the computer software download at all unless you want to transfer car diagnostic information from the scanner to your computer to save it or print it. Software program updates for the CP9580 unit itself are not yet available at the time of this review, so don't try to get it. Although there are reports that the software package does not install on 64 bit and Windows 7 systems, it seems to work fine on Windows Vista and earlier systems. Go to the Actron web site and click updates. Scanning Suite 3.0 is the one to download for the CP9580 even though the CP9580 is not yet listed on the web page as one of the supported scanners.
After you install the scanning suite and you want to use print capture (also called print data on the CP9580 scanning tool) to transfer scanner data to your computer, you could have a problem because the USB port instructions are unclear when you click on print capture. You need to select a com connection port on the computer drop down menu such as com1, com2, com3, com4,...etc. even though you are using a USB rather than a serial port. To find the port number, connect the CP9580 to a USB terminal using the provided cable, and select the print data menu on the CP9580 so that "print data" appears on the top of the scanner display. Then go to control panel on your computer and select device manager. Click the + on the "ports" in the device manager list to get the com number for SPX (Actron). After you transfer vehicle data from the scanner to your computer, you can click edit on the print capture document which puts the information in Windows Notepad text format for editing, saving, copying, printing, etc. If you save the notepad itself, select save as and select an existing known folder, or it may disappear into a nonexistent scanning suite location.
Although I have used the print capture to see how it works, I have not found it necessary to use for my repair work. The stand-alone CP9580 works fine.
I did call customer technical support one time, and found the representative to be knowledgeable and friendly.
Update January 2011. Actron updated their website a little so that Scanning suite 3.0 is now listed as supporting the CP9580. However, it still will not work on 64 bit or Windows 7 systems. They say that a 64 bit ; Windows 7 version will be available very soon, but it is still very late considering how long the new Windows operating system has been out. Actron also added CP9580 printing (print capture) instructions which are similar to my instructions above, except that they go to Device Manager by right clicking computer (my computer) instead of using Control Panel classic view. Software program updates for the CP9580 unit itself are not expected for a long time. I can understand that at least a couple of years of repair data are needed to get meaningful Code Connect information, but they really need to update ABS information sooner for the vehicles not yet covered on the scanner.

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
The Actron CP9580 AutoScanner Plus OBD II, CAN ; ABS Scan Tool is the ultimate choice in handheld automotive diagnostic scan tools, suitable both for advanced automotive do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) and automotive professionals alike. Not only does it capture and analyze data like other scan tools, but it also can help you prioritize troubleshooting with access to the most probable solution based on top reported fixes specific to the vehicle's make, model, year and engine. Additional features include live engine data, graph live data, freeze frame data, drive cycle mode, print functionality and much more.

The Advanced Handheld Scanner That Troubleshoots for YouSince the 1980's standardized Onboard Diagnostic systems—first OBD-I and currently OBD-II—mandated for virtually all cars and light trucks manufactured for the US market have provided automotive technicians, and increasingly DIYers, with insight into the increasingly complex inner workings of modern passenger vehicles. Traditionally professional grade diagnostic results required large and/or expensive scanning tools to translate diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and other data generated by the internal computer networks of your vehicle when the check engine/malfunction indicator light (MIL) on the dashboard goes off, but now there is a much better way; the Actron CP9580 AutoScanner Plus Scan Tool.

Generic and manufacturer codes an definition..
Onboard code troubleshooting with CodeConnect.. The new CP9580 AutoScanner Plus with CodeConnect does way more than just displaying the trouble codes and definitions seen in other handheld scan tools. At the touch of a button it can also actually help prioritize troubleshooting using the top reported fixes related to these codes, specific to your vehicle's make, model, year and engine. Once codes register on the device, AutoScanner Plus indicates on screen which codes have the CodeConnect details available. To gain access to these possible fixes all the user need do is push the CodeConnect button in the middle of the keypad and the most probable solutions according to the data of file will be displayed. CodeConnect is a comprehensive database of 3 million ASE verified fixes for the trouble codes that cause the check engine light to illuminate, providing a shortcut for troubleshooting efforts. Advanced functionality built into AutoScanner Plus also includes advanced domestic ABS code coverage, allowing read/erase capability for most 1996 and newer GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles (click to see an ABS compatibility chart). And additional features include live engine data, graph live data, freeze frame data, drive cycle mode, field updateable via USB port, print functionality and much more.
Standard Features:

• General features


• CodeConnect technology for up to 3 million possible fixes.
• Record and playback LIVE engine data
• Display live real time data.
• ABS code read/erase capability for most 1996 and newer GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles (see compatibility).
• Custom data list for live data.
• Graph live data.
• Displays all 9 modes of global OBD-II data.
• Displays enhanced code definitions on screen.
• Hardware features


• Optional battery power (as well as directly through the OBD-II connector).
• Field updateable via USB port.
• Trilingual manual (English, Spanish, and French).
• Print data to PC.
• Software features


• Read and erase DTCs.
• Compatible with OBD-II and CAN vehicles 1996 and newer.
• OBD-II generic and manufacturer specific code definitions.
• Read and display MIL status.
• Read and display I/M monitors.
• Visual indicator when communicating with vehicle.
• Pending DTCs.
• Freeze frame data.
• Drive cycle mode.
• State OBD check.
• Code lookup library.
• Trilingual menus and definitions.

What's in the Box1-Actron CP9580 AutoScanner Plus, 1-users manual.
Automotive Analysis Tools to Suit Every NeedWith over 40 years of experience manufacturing affordable automotive diagnostic tools Actron features a product line that has something for everyone, regardless of your level of experience. Check out the table below for current models of Actron scan tools available and their available features. Click the model number at the top of the table for further details.

One-Year Limited WarrantySPX warrants to the original purchaser of this product that it is free of defects in materials and workmanship for one year from date of delivery. This warranty does not cover any unit that has been abused, altered, used for a purpose other than that for which it was intended, or used in a manner inconsistent with instructions regarding use.
About Actron, an SPX BrandA business unit of SPX Service Solutions, Actron has a 40-year tradition as a leading manufacturer of cost-effective, high-performance automotive diagnostic and test equipment. SPX Service Solutions designs, manufactures and markets a fully integrated family of global brands providing specialty service tools, advanced diagnostic and shop equipment, inspection and gauging systems, training and technical information for vehicle servicing and maintenance.
CodeConnect data displayed in English only.
Actron AutoScanner Plus with CodeConnect will revolutionize the way you fix your vehicles by providing 3 million verified fixes specific to the vehicle’s make, model, year and engine. CodeConnect provides actual fixes to the problem causing the check engine light to illuminate - providing the Top Reported Fix from the CodeConnect database. The Top Reported Fix is the most probable solution to the vehicle problem and is a shortcut for troubleshooting efforts. AutoScanner Plus will indicate on screen which codes have the CodeConnect details available. Then it’s a simple push of the button to get the CodeConnect information. These actual vehicle fixes have been reported and then verified by our team of ASE certified technicians. The Actron CP7580 AutoScanner Plus also includes domestic ABS code coverage, record and playback data stream and on screen graphing. The CP9580 AutoScanner with Code Connect has the following new features: CodeConnect, record and playback LIVE engine data, display LIVE real time data, ABS code read/erase capability for most 1996 and newer GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles, custom data list for LIVE data, graph LIVE data, displays all 9 modes of global OBD II data, and displays enhanced code definitions. It has optional battery power, field updateable via USB port as well as the ability to print data to your PC. Other features include the ability to display OBD II generic and manufacturer specific codes and definitions on screen as well as read and display LIVE engine data, MIL status, diagnostic trouble codes, I/M monitors (emissions), pending diagnostic trouble codes, freeze frame data (snapshot of vehicle data at the time of the fault), VIN number, CVN and Cal ID, State OBD check, Code lookup library and OBDII Drive Cycle Mode.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B003IOITRG
• Item model number: CP9580
  

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