FOXWELL NT301 Car OBDII Scanner & 12V Battery Tester Review
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- Опубліковано 3 січ 2021
- Originally recorded December 28, 2020.
The dreaded Check Engine Light. That comes on, it's going to be a problem. Most of us have heard that if the light goes on, we can go to the auto parts store and they can read the code for free. But the whole ploy is to get you to buy stuff while you're there, and an unscrupulous salesperson might try to sell you stuff you don't need, that won't fix the problem.
Not to mention, they can't even clear the code for you. Wouldn't it be a heck of a lot easier to be able to read that code out yourself? Now you can, nice and inexpensively with the FOXWELL NT301 Car OBDII Scanner & Battery Tester. Color backlit display is easy to read even in direct sunlight. Also has a convenient I/M button that will allow you to access the readiness monitors of your car. Most cars 2001 and newer are allowed to have one system not ready, and if you get to that point, you can get your car inspected and pass.
This is a basic level scan tool; if you're looking to read out and erase the code, you can do it with this. It's much more convenient to do it yourself, and be armed with the knowledge of the code and what might be wrong, rather than drive out of your way to the auto parts store, where they'll try to sell you things you don't need. Or, you might very well catch your mechanic in a lie, wanting to charge hundreds and hundreds of dollars for work they were never going to do. Armed with the knowledge, that's no longer a concern.
What's more, this tool also comes with battery clamps, as it has a built-in battery tester, so it can give you an idea of the battery's health, this way you can replace your battery before it leaves you stranded, and costs way less than a tow or jump start. Connect the clamps to the battery, and the other end of the cable to the tool's cable, and press the battery button. For a car battery for example, you can enter the CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) right from the sticker, and it will test your battery and show you what your battery can actually put out. The tester works with many different kinds of 12 volt batteries, including Regular Flooded, Gel, EBM, and AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries.
Buy this NT301 Car OBDII Scanner & 12V Battery Tester on Amazon:
www.amazon.com/dp/B08JGK8PPM
Also see the product on the Foxwell Official Site:
www.foxwelldiag.com/nt301 - Навчання та стиль
Thanks. I just bought this scanner and although I am sure I can figure it out, it is good to get this intro versus just reading the manual and then solo test flight it. Well done.
Thanks very much Bryan!
The Best video on this unit I have seen to date, thanks.
Thanks very much! I don't foresee anyone doing better.
I agree! It was perfectly understandable and perfectly to the point. When the inexperienced go for instruction that’s what you want! We appreciate you!
Awesome video you explained everything very clearly keep up the great work
Thank you!
Nice review. I just bought one.
Thanks.
Very nice vid. Really wish the unit would test the alternator too
Thank you. Generally, the voltage given would be a good indication of whether it's working or not. Most times, cars have lights on the dashboard that will indicate when there's a charging problem. Otherwise, at least here in the US, most major auto parts stores will test your alternator for free, but you do have to take it out of the car and bring it in for them to test it. They can give a much more thorough test of it than anything else can provide, they mount it up in a jig and there's a motor with a belt that spins the alternator, and the computer reads the performance of it and will tell you how many amps it puts out.
Thanks so much for the video
No problem at all.
Very nice, I am considering purchase.
Thanks. This unit has a lot going for it.
Had mine 2 years now, very pleased. Good value.
@@hog-boy-8843 Yes, it's a nice unit.
your VIN was actually displayed, just in case you're worried about that. (no, I'm not going to do anything with it, just pointing it out)
great video though!
Thanks. I can't catch everything, that's why there are editing TEAMS. I'm a one man band.
Thanks for the review and great video. Can this unit also test the altenator as well? Thanks
Thanks. I make a very thorough review video. Believe me, if this could test it, I would have demonstrated it. I used to be in sales, so selling features like that are important to demonstrate. But if the product doesn't have that feature, I can't demonstrate it.
Great video I have one question I want to buy this scanner to check a car that is used how can I check with this scanner if car has not check engine light but how how can I found out just Incase the owner erased the check engine light i was watching ur video and I have an idea let me know if I’m wrong but I think the better way is go in to 👉I/M readiness and then since DTCs cleared and I can see everything there or I’m wrong?
Yes, you can check I/M readiness. That would be a good idea. Another thing some cars, not all have is, time since last MIL, that will let you know the time since it last had the check engine light on. That should be very high hours. If you're reading 2 or 3 hours, it was reset recently and will likely come on again soon. If it's been out for 2 or 3 years (do the math) you can even check against the date of the battery. If somebody's trying to cheat you, don't buy it. The sad part is they will sell it to somebody else without the tool.
Very nice
Thanks.
Nice video and very clear.
Would you know the difference between this Foxwell NT310 scanner and the NT510 model? I am unsure what to buy. I need to replace my E90 (2008 335XI) battery and will need to register it after the install. There's a big difference in price (about $100 between the two models) but if I get a lot more useful features then I can decide which will be best. Thanks for doing this video. Well done.
Phil
NYC Area
Thank you. Unfortunately, I don't know the difference between the 2. I do know that for features like that you might be looking at many hundreds of dollars for a very high level scan tool. Better check with the manufacturer first to see what tools they have that can allow you to do that.
I'm on LI.
@@jaykay18 Thanks for the reply and information.
I am down near Red Bank in NJ...35-40 minutes to NYC by ferry, 1 hour by car....Thanks.
Phil
@@uptownphotography No problem. I reviewed a higher-level scan tool that might be able to do what you need to, here is the link: ua-cam.com/video/VkH49a_dGEg/v-deo.html
When I did a battery test why didn't it give me the command to turn my headlights on? Shouldn't that be a critical part of the test?
Try updating the firmware.
What does it mean when the middle one comes on the triangle..I keep getting that one for my Mazda but it's not showing a code only singal the middle triangle what does it mean and how do I diagnose it
If you went into an auto parts store and asked for an air filter for a Mazda, they would say "Mazda what?" So that explains nothing. Even if you told me the year, make and model, I'm not Mr. Foxwell. Nor am I Mr. Mazda.
Guessing, I would say that there may be a code PENDING in the computer. A pending code may become a fault code, or may go away. However, the scan tool should be able to read pending codes--check to see if there is an option for that and read those.
It could also mean that not all of the readiness monitors on the vehicle have completed their test.
It could finally mean an issue with communication between the car and the scan tool.
Old unit doesn’t have the battery apps on the screen. Is this the new update?
Did yours come with the battery clamp cables as shown? If not, you're comparing apples to oranges.
hey dude, are you seeing this email? have a question bout the battery tester aspect. do ya need that connector to get it to the battery or cant ya just use the scanner just plugged under the dash? thanks!
Yes, you need the connector to test the battery.
@@jaykay18 Hi and thanks for getting back, and where do you get the connector? Is it expensive?
@@jaykay18 Have you seen scotty kilmer on youtube? he shows off scanners that companies just send to him for free. dang, some cost 10 grand!
@@ronvalley1973 Contact the manufacturer. They can sell it to you. Shouldn't be expensive.
@@ronvalley1973 Yes, of course. In fact, I will have another video on scan tools this Saturday.
Hi, Sir. Nice Informative video 👏. Is it possible to know an upcoming problem with this scanner. Thank you.
It will display "pending" codes, like any scan tool. As far as it predicting when your power steering or water pump will fail, you need a soothsayer or fortune teller, not a scan tool.
Hello sir! This guy shows the specific abs sensor with failure? Ex: rear righ abs sensor. thx
No, it does not.
I bought a “New Version” of the NT301 and it did not come with the additional battery clamp connector, yet it claims that I can test batteries. WTF?
I searched around a bit, the best I could really come up with is there's a model NT301 and NT301 Plus. The "plus" version has the battery clamps and can do battery testing, the straight model made no mention of that capability.
However, I've tested a number of different scan tools, and one of them, don't remember the brand or model, could do some limited battery testing right through the OBDII port
This doesn;t test the alternator? Man what a shame. It would be perfect if it had an alternator charge analyzer and crack test like those $40 cheap battery testers do. Man, so close to buying this.
I've often found that all-in-one devices generally follow the old adage "Jack of all trades, master of none".
Will this tester read the problem where I have the message on my dash to “Check Backup Monitor” and diagnose it?
Knowing the vehicle in question would help. If the "Backup Monitor" it is referring to is the rear backup camera, there isn't a chance in the world that anyone BUT the dealer is going to be able to fix that, and it will cost a very pretty penny.
@@jaykay18 my vehicle is a 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer with 2 backup sensors mounted in the rear bumper. When I put it in reverse the message appears on the dash to “Check Backup Aid System”. The mirrors no longer angle downward and the beeping sound no longer works. I don’t want to just randomly replace the sensors, control module, or power mirror motors. I would like to pinpoint the problem. Thanks for responding.
@@dougmorissette459 Well if the power mirrors still work in all directions as far as your manually adjusting them, there's nothing to worry about with them. The control module is what controls them down and back up. So you can rule that part of the equation out.
As for the sensors or control module, you'd probably need a dealer-level scan tool to do that, nothing you'd be able to get. I have a higher-level scan tool that can do all sorts of amazing things on my 2007 Toyota Camry, it can control the door locks, climate control system, windows, sunroof, headlights, turn signals, dashboard lights, hazard lights, radiator cooling fans, and a host of other stuff. But those are rather "pedestrian" items that are likely the same across all Toyota platforms, nothing particularly vehicle specific. That tool alone was several hundred dollars.
@@jaykay18 thank you for the assistance.
@@dougmorissette459 No problem, very best of luck to you in getting that resolved.
Can I reset my new throttle body with this NT301
No, you'd be looking for something that costs 2 and a half times the price of this to be able to do that.
Had one. I bought a newer truck about 2 years after getting the reader. I decided to update the software. It is now worthless. I can see the picture icons but where there should be letters is just white blocks. I cannot get any help from Tech support so now it is useless.
Foxwell is around, still making stuff. There is no reason you can't get in touch with them. There are several websites that sell their products, such as www.foxwelleshop.com/. There is no reason why you can't find a "contact us" link on that page. If they can't help you, they should be able to put you in touch with someone who can.
@@jaykay18 have emailed them multiple times and no response.
@@bobsundquist2039 Persistence, and other avenues of communication, is key. Eventually, someone will do their job and put you in touch with the right people. And it's EVERY business these days, not just them.
@@jaykay18 That is the absolute truth. After dealing with Champion Generators for a month I returned mine to HD.
@@bobsundquist2039 To be very honest, a lot of these reviews that I do are contracted. Occasionally, occasionally, I'll get a product that is defective, or proves to be within the warranty period. Most times, the companies are superb with their customer service, and will ship a replacement out at no charge. They only ask to see a video of the failure.
A handful of times, the manufacturer refuses to replace the item still under warranty. That's when Amazon's return policy comes into play. Well, not the return policy on that item I bought 6 months ago, but the new one I just bought, so I could return the defective one.
Most times, returned items to Amazon don't even get looked at, instead, they are loaded onto pallets and sold to the highest bidder. They never know what will be on it.
So there are avenues for support out there, some honest, some not so honest, but the consumer must always prevail.
Hello, Can this reader help with a crank and no start vehicle ?
It can certainly read the codes out of the computer. If it's giving you a code that points to something like the crank position sensor, that should be an easy fix and solve your problem. But there are a million reasons why a car may crank and not start. Bad fuel pump, clogged fuel filter, faulty injectors, bad ECU, ignition system problems, or worse like no cylinder compression. When you think about all that has to be working for a car to run, you'd be amazed that it actually works at all.
This is not going to be a magic fix, but may guide you in the right direction to help you find and fix the problem quicker and easier.
@@jaykay18 Thank you sir. I as well think is the crankshaft sensor. Before I buy even more parts might as well invest in a good scanner. I’ll keep you posted with the updates 👍
@@KevinWolfay Thanks, I'd appreciate if you would.
@@jaykay18 so after the inspection everything was on point all except until the I/M readiness test it showed a Red X on my Catalytic. Makes sense why In the past my muffler would make odd sounds & the Cat made grinding noises. Not to mention misfires and bad idle. I’d like to hear your take Sir
@@KevinWolfay First of all, I don't even know what kind of car, what kind of engine, and how many miles it has on it. Second, I was simply contracted to do a review of a scan tool.
With that said, if the car still won't start, the red X on the catalytic converter has absolutely no bearing on the problem you are having. The only possibility that could be a problem is that if the catalytic converter is so plugged up that it creates such backpressure on the engine that it can't fire. Same thing with you. If someone were to choke you, you're worried about getting air in. But if you think about it, you have to get air out too. Without that, you wouldn't be able to get any in. The only way to "test" for this is to take the catalytic converter out , but if you have someone crank the engine, you can listen and feel by the tailpipe, and there should be air moving out of there.
The monitoring systems are generally there for emissions, and don't have much bearing on how the car is running. You want to read the codes that are stored, that might clue you in. If it's alreayd been reset and there are no codes stored, the scan tool won't be of any help, and you're back to your own 5 senses to figure out what's wrong.
Your shirt term fuel trim was way negative, thats not good at all
The engine was ice cold, so that's to be expected.
I don’t know if I missed it in the video but does this show the engine/coolant temp in live data? Thanks in advance 🫡
It should. It's going to require that your vehicle outputs that kind of data over the OBDII port. Most times, yes.