Actron AnutoScanner Plus CP9180 Review

By Andy Cochran

Actron Autoscanner CP9180 Today's vehicles offer many handy features like anti-lock brakes, electronic fuel injection, and lots and lots of cup holders. Along with these luxuries, there are also drawbacks. These modern computers-on-wheels have several major systems which consist of various types of sensors to measure speeds, temperatures, emissions, airflow, along with many other things. The problem with this is that if one sensor or other component has a problem, there's a good chance that the rest of the vehicle's operating system will be affected. The good thing though is that, with the right tools, these sensors will communicate with a mechanic, and theoretically make repairs simpler, with less guess work involved.

These tools are much different than simple hand tools of yesteryear, and in some cases cost as much as many of the cars on the road today. Even if you never have to purchase one of these advanced diagnostic scanners like a Snap On tools "Red Brick," or an OTC Genesis scan tool, that doesn't mean you won't come into contact with the price of these tools; it can cost more than $60 dollars to have a mechanic simply scan your car's computer for trouble codes.

I'll use a situation that I ran into myself while attending a local community college for automotive repair: The vehicle I was working on was a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan with an automatic transmission, anti-lock brakes, and plenty of other modern features. The van had roughly 58,000 miles, and the transmission was acting strangely. I was running into a problem where the speedometer was inoperative, the automatic door locks (which were supposed to automatically lock when the vehicle reached a certain speed) were not working right, and the transmission would not shift gears.

The easy reasoning for the problems was that it was a Dodge Caravan with approximately 60,000 miles, and the vehicle was in need of a new transmission. I wanted to be sure, though. The first tool that I used was an OTC Genesis Scan Tool, which costs between $2,000 and $3,000 dollars. I got the results of the first scan after choosing the origins of the vehicle, brand of vehicle, model of vehicle, engine, engine size, and so on.

Once I finally scanned the computer of the car, I received a list of DTCs, or Diagnostic Trouble Codes, which told me things like "Gear 1 incorrect ratio," "Gear 3 incorrect ratio," and some others like that. The thing that ended up most helpful was code that, with a basic description, stated that there was a problem with a vehicle speed sensor. It even pointed me to the vehicle's output shaft speed sensor. From that point, I looked up the listed codes, which were supplied with the basic description of the problem. With those codes, I viewed the repair procedures which were described on my school's computer.
For fun, I decided to scan the Caravan with the AutoScanner Plus CP9180 that I had recently received for review from Actron. I found the interface of the scanner remarkably similar to that of the more expensive scanner that I had used to diagnose the problem previously.

I soon found that the diagnosis from the Actron AutoScanner Plus CP9180 was the same as that of the Genesis scan tool. Now, it should be noted that I used the scanners to only give me the trouble codes, and I didn't actually use the tools to give me direction for repairs.

I noted a screen on the Genesis that did give very basic direction such as "repair or replace the speed sensor," for my scan results. I didn't search through the Actron scanner for such a screen. After researching the issue, and replacing the output shaft speed sensor on the Caravan, I cleared the vehicle's computer of trouble codes, and started it up. All went well, and the vehicle was cured of its technological malady.

For further testing of the Actron AutoScanner Plus CP9180, I turned to a rigged Ford Ranger. For testing purposes, I disconnected the Throttle Position Sensor, and started the car. After waiting for the poor, gutless pickup to detect the problem, and switch on the "check engine" light, I followed the procedure for hooking up the scanner (a simple process which consists of plugging in the OBD II connector, and turning on the key to the car,) The scanner ran its tests, and immediately gave me a list of trouble codes and very basic descriptions of the problem. It listed the TPS (Throttle Position) sensor as problematic. I was satisfied with these basic tests. I reconnected the TPS sensor, and erased the trouble codes from the truck's computer. I restarted the Ranger, and it ran like a charm.

The layout of buttons on the Actron AutoScanner Plus CP9180 is very nice, and very easy to read. The buttons are all large enough to be pressed even with protective gloves on. They buttons are a semi-soft rubber with large labels on each, that state "HELP," and "ENTER," or have large arrow keys. The only key that had me slightly perplexed was one that had a small picture of a person, which I later learned was a button for quickly performing code scans with one button. The scanner is easy to hold, even when your hands aren't completely oil-free, and the screen is large enough to read and easy to see. I was working on vehicles mainly in a shop, but the screen is also easy enough to read when outdoors. The screen has a yellow backlight, which contrasts well with its blue lettering, and its contrast is adjustable. Overall, the tool, although not expensive, doesn't feel cheap, and has the appearance of a tool that belongs in the garage.

The idea behind the Actron AutoScanner Plus CP9180 is to give do-it-youself-ers the ability to diagnose their vehicles easily and efficiently. The Scanner has the ability to scan any OBD II vehicle (manufactured post 1996) through a universal OBD II plug. Along with being able to scan for Diagnostic Trouble Codes, the scan tool is also able to show basic real-time data on vehicle operation. I'm not a true mechanic, and if I were, there would be more in-depth tests that I would probably perform, and more features that I would try out.

I, like many other people out there with modern vehicles, just wanted to find a simple to use OBD II scan tool that I could use to find out why my "Service Engine Soon" light comes on sometimes. I was impressed with the scan tool, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a simple to use diagnostic scan tool to save them some dough. If you are looking for a scanner to add to your tool box for somewhat in-depth vehicle diagnostics, or to put in your glove box to take along on trips for basic repairs on the road, the Actron AutoScanner Plus CP9180 could be for you.

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