The Actron Cp9185 Scan Tool is marketed as a versatile handheld scanner, capable of diagnosing both OBD1 and OBD2 vehicles. As someone who regularly works with a range of car models, from classic to modern, I was keen to put the CP9185 through its paces. After thorough testing, here’s a detailed breakdown of my experience, focusing on whether this tool lives up to its dual-diagnosis claims.
The kit arrived in a practical soft case, neatly containing the scanner, instruction booklet, and a selection of cables – including the essential OBD2 (16-pin) adapter. Notably absent in my package was the advertised CD, which supposedly contains the full user manual and PC connectivity software. While the lack of a CD in the box is unusual in this day and age (perhaps a move towards digital downloads?), it did initially raise a question about accessing the complete manual and PC interface features. Purchased directly from Amazon for $175 (a price that seems to fluctuate significantly, later seeing listings around $259 and even Actron’s direct price of $398), the initial deal felt promising.
The scanner itself is equipped with a power button, yet the display backlight remains inactive until an external 12V power source is connected. This power can be drawn from the vehicle’s OBD2 port or via an external DC adapter. This is a crucial point, especially for OBD1 diagnostics, as these older systems typically don’t supply power to the data link connector (DLC), necessitating an external power source.
OBD1 Functionality: A Strong Showing
To delve into the OBD1 capabilities, I also acquired the CP9127 OBD1 adapter set. This kit includes a 12-pin adapter cable and a cigarette lighter power adapter, essential for powering the scanner on older vehicles. For 1995 F-body cars, the standard 16-pin OBD2 cable is compatible. However, for 1994 models, the CP9127 or a custom-made adapter cable (15-pin Actron to 12-pin DLC) is required. A 12V AC adapter would also be needed for 1994 models.
My tests focused on several classic GM vehicles: a ’94 LT1, a ’95 L34, and an ’86 5.0L carbureted model. Across the board, the OBD1 performance was impressive. Using the OBD1 adapter, each vehicle provided at least three screens of live data, alongside current and historical diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). The inclusion of a field service feature, which grounds the field service pin on the DLC, worked seamlessly with the OBD1 cable. It’s worth noting that this field service mode doesn’t function correctly on ’95 OBD1 cars when using the OBD2 cable because of changes in pin assignments to accommodate later CAN signals. For ’95 models needing field service mode via the OBD2 port, re-routing pin 6 to pin 12 in the DLC would be necessary.
OBD2 Capabilities: A Disappointing Contrast
Unfortunately, the OBD2 performance of the CP9185 is where it falls short. In my assessment, its OBD2 functionality offers little beyond what you can achieve with a basic, much cheaper OBD2 code reader like the Autel Maxiscan MS310 (available for significantly less). Both tools provide similar basic OBD2 diagnostics. For comprehensive OBD2 diagnostics, software like OBDWiz (included with the affordable ELMScan-5 Compact adapter) offers a far more feature-rich experience.
Limited Extra Functions
The Actron CP9185 lacks support for crucial systems like ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) modules. Actuator tests, valuable for pinpointing component issues, are also absent. The graphing capability, available only for select OBD2 parameters, is rudimentary with low resolution and lacks the ability to pause for detailed examination. The manual mentions a “rewind” function for graphs, but this proved elusive in my testing. OBD1 parameters completely lack graphing support.
Data logging is available for both OBD1 and OBD2, but the recording duration is frustratingly short, sometimes under 20 seconds, and the data update rate is slow. PC connectivity is limited to transferring logged data, and even then, the data export is only in plain text format, hindering in-depth analysis.
Final Verdict: OBD1 Specialist, OBD2 Generalist?
The Actron CP9185 scan tool stands out primarily for its robust OBD1 capabilities. If your diagnostic work frequently involves older, pre-OBD2 vehicles, particularly GM models from the OBD1 era, the CP9185, when paired with the OBD1 adapter, is a valuable tool offering good data access and functionality.
However, for OBD2 diagnostics, the CP9185 struggles to justify its price point. Its OBD2 features are comparable to much cheaper basic code readers, and it lacks the advanced functionalities found in more comprehensive (and sometimes equally priced) OBD2 scan tools and software solutions.
Recommendation: Consider the Actron CP9185 if OBD1 scanning is a priority. For OBD2-centric needs, explore more specialized and feature-rich OBD2 scan tools or software options that offer better value and performance.
