# OBD scanner does not show code \[Fixed title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806 "2023-06-20T03:05:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/1 "2023-06-20T03:05:04Z")
My 2007 Camry Hybrid is showing a Check Engine light (and also a Check Hybrid System message). I decided to spring for a scanner. I got a MOTOPOWER MP69033 but it said “0 codes”. I took it to Advance Auto Parts store where they do scans for free and theirs came up with P0A80, which apparently means hybrid battery failure (I just had it replaced by Green Bean a month ago so it’s under warranty). What kind of scanner do I need that will read the same codes as the one in the parts store? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/2 "2023-06-20T09:47:16Z")
Ah - you meant OBD ! What model is your Camry ? (eg, XV40). [This](https://www.outilsobdfacile.com/vehicle-list-compatible-obd2/toyota)page shows which OBD protocol your car uses (find your model and click “+ more info”). (I looked at a few, and they seem to use CAN 11bit 500bps, so it seems your scanner should handle it) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/3 "2023-06-20T11:18:39Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > What kind of scanner do I need that will read the same codes as the one in the parts store? The easiest thing to do would be to ask them what they’re using. It’s very possible they sell the same one. When you used your scanner, was ignition in on/run? Can it clear the code(s)? I’d probably try doing something I think will throw a code and then checking it again to see if it can read that. Driving around with an evap hose disconnected or the gas cap off should do it. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/4 "2023-06-20T11:21:22Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > you meant OBD Damn. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/5 "2023-06-20T11:23:05Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > When you used your scanner, was ignition in on/run? > > Can it clear the code(s)? The instructions say to turn on the ignition but don’t start the engine. So I pressed the Start button twice without my foot on the brake. It has an option to clear the codes, which I did not touch. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/6 "2023-06-20T11:23:33Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’d probably try doing something I think will throw a code and then checking it again to see if it can read that. Driving around with an evap hose disconnected or the gas cap off should do it. You could always just take a fuse out. (That works on my car) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/7 "2023-06-20T11:26:26Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > What model is your Camry ? (eg, XV40). I was unfamiliar with these designations. The car is a 2007 and the only Camry shown for 2007 is the XV40, but mine is a hybrid so I would think there should be at least two models shown for that year. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/8 "2023-06-20T11:30:39Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > The instructions say to turn on the ignition but don’t start the engine. So I pressed the Start button twice without my foot on the brake. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t off. > [@CookingWithGas](#): > > It has an option to clear the codes, which I did not touch. In general, if it’s an ongoing problem, the CEL will turn right back on. It’s a quick way to make sure whatever you’re trying to fix is still broken. But I understand being hesitant about it and I’m not advising you to do anything one way or the other. > [@pjd](#): > > You could always just take a fuse out. (That works on my car) But which fuse. Pull the fuse for the horn or AC or many other things and no codes will be thrown. You’d have to get one takes out a sensor or control module. But along those same lines, disconnecting a MAF/MAP sensor and letting the car run long enough to warm up (might need to be in closed loop to notice there’s no MAF or MAP input, not sure) would also work, and those sensors are typically very easily accessible. > [@CookingWithGas](#): > > The car is a 2007 and the only Camry shown for 2007 is the XV40, but mine is a hybrid so I would think there should be at least two models shown for that year. I noticed that also. It had me wondering if there’s a reason for that. Could just be the website, but that could also suggest the OBDII scanner might not be able to read data PIDs from the hybrid side of things in that specific make/model/year. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/9 "2023-06-20T11:33:27Z")
Yeah, i did wonder about that … i guess they didn’t have test results for every model. (But every one i looked at used the CAN 11bit 500bps protocol, so yours _probably_ (!) does.) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/10 "2023-06-20T11:34:08Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’d probably try doing something I think will throw a code I’ll consider that but in this case the code is “Hybrid battery failure” and I suspect that the scanner might read the usual codes but not the ones specific to a hybrid. Just checked a photo of the scanner I took of the one they used at the store and it’s an Innova 5010. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/11 "2023-06-20T11:36:14Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > But which fuse. Pull the fuse for the horn or AC or many other things and no codes will be thrown. True… the one that works for me is the Engine Cooling fan one. The warning light comes on straight away without needing to warm up the engine. (btw, mine’s a Vauxhall Corsa). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/12 "2023-06-20T18:31:42Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > > [@pjd](#): > > > > you meant OBD > > Damn. I have reported your OP asking for a typo correction. You can do that yourself you know. Mods are happy to fix things that improve the searchability of the site. Like correcting mucked-up acronyms in titles. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2023, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/13 "2023-06-20T18:41:10Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I have reported your OP asking for a typo correction. You can do that yourself you know. Mods are happy to fix things that improve the searchability of the site. Like correcting mucked-up acronyms in titles. Important to get that fixed. I thought this thread was about something else. > **[Ol' Dirty Bastard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ol%27_Dirty_Bastard)** > > Russell Tyrone Jones (November 15, 1968 – November 13, 2004), better known by his stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard (often abbreviated as ODB), was an American rapper. He was one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang Clan, a rap group primarily from Staten Island, New York City, which rose to mainstream prominence with its 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). > His professional success was hampered by frequent legal troubles, including incarceration. He died on November 13, 2004, of an ... ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/14 "2023-06-21T13:55:36Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > You can do that yourself you know. I know, I’ve been here for nearly 25 years. I just figured that since responses were already coming it, it wouldn’t matter much. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/15 "2023-06-21T14:48:21Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > What kind of scanner do I need that will read the same codes as the one in the parts store? My last scanner had to be reloaded with updated data. A process that didn’t work all that well so I stopped trying. Autoparts stores mostly provide scanner service now and so does a local shop that will do it for me if in return for a cup of Dunkin coffee. The trouble is a code like that P0A80 may tell you nothing about what the actual problem is, or in that case maybe there isn’t one and it just detected a battery replacement and it will keep kicking that code out forever. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/16 "2023-06-21T20:02:46Z")
That code was enough for Green Bean to replace the battery under warranty, which they are doing tomorrow. So that’s good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2023, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obd-scanner-does-not-show-code-fixed-title/985806/17 "2023-06-21T20:55:30Z")
I’m glad that worked out for you. I hope all your codes do.