EDiag YA-101 OBD-II scanner review

Our Verdict

Small, low-cal, and inexpensive, the EDiag YA-101 OBD-II automotive scanner offers a wide array of diagnostic functions plus a battery-test sequence, firmware updates and a lifetime warranty.

For

Excellent basic scanner
Battery test
Lifetime warranty and updates

Against

Limited four-key interface
Lacks loftier-end features

Tom's Guide Verdict

Pocket-size, lite, and inexpensive, the EDiag YA-101 OBD-II automotive scanner offers a wide array of diagnostic functions plus a bombardment-test sequence, firmware updates and a lifetime warranty.

Pros

+
First-class basic scanner
+
Bombardment examination
+
Lifetime warranty and updates

Cons

-
Limited 4-key interface
-
Lacks high-end features

EDiag YA-101: Specs

Size: iv.eight ten 2.6 x 0.nine inches
Weight: 6.1 ounces
Alive data: Yep
Display type and size: Color, 1.8 inches
Number of keys: 4
Bluetooth: No
Handheld: Aye
Warranty: Lifetime

It may lack the detailed diagnostic routines that other OBD-2 scanners accept, but at $23, the EDiag YA-101 is an excellent bargain that deserves a identify on the list of best OBD-II scanners. Its built-in battery-examination routine, lifetime warranty and extended firmware updates make information technology an automotive cheapskate's dream come up true.

Read on for the rest of our EDiag YA-101 review.

EDiag YA-101: Pricing and availability

Priced at $23, the EDiag YA-101 is among the least expensive OBD-Two scanners available, only this is not a cheap device that's express to a monochrome screen and few abilities. Instead, it'due south got a full-colour screen and a lot to offer.

In that location is a more expensive model, the $threescore EDiag YA-301, which adds three more interface keys and the ability to graph live information, but the YA-101 is far from the lesser of the barrel.

EDiag YA-101: Pattern

Ane of the smallest handheld OBD-II scanners available, the EDiag YA-101 is likewise amongst the all-time entry-level automotive diagnostic devices. At 4.viii x 2.6 10 0.9 inches and half-dozen.1 ounces, the YA-101 is about half as big equally, and a lot easier to comport than, the massive Innova CarScan Inpector 5310. In other words, the YA-101 should easily fit in a car's middle panel or a toolbox.

The YA-101's black stop has ribbed hand grips, simply the scanner has a hollow feel to information technology that makes it seem like it wouldn't survive an abusive relationship with a clumsy mechanic.

Its ane.viii-inch screen falls brusk in existent estate compared to the Motorcar Scan 5310's ii.viii-inch display, and the EDiag YA-101's text-based navigation scheme isn't as obvious as the more visually oriented icon-based systems.

While its four-key interface has soft silicone keys that are colour-coded with a greenish OK key and a red "Get Dorsum" push button, the YA-101 can be frustrating to use. Compared to scanners that have more keys, the EDiag YA-101 leaves a lot to exist desired, and some selections take an actress keystroke or two to become what you desire.

There's an old-school mini-USB port at the bottom of the YA-101 for updating its firmware, only there's no USB cable for that port in the bundle. Y'all might have to go online to find a compatible cable, as mini-USB-to-USB-A plugs oasis't been widely used since nigh 2010.

The YA-101 goes beyond rudimentary on-board diagnostics. Forth with detecting engine misfires, the small scanner squeezes in analysis of potential battery and charging problems.

It can cheque on the oxygen sensor and run an I/Grand pre-inspection readiness examination (a good indicator of whether your car will pass a smog check), but the YA-101 lacks the red, xanthous and green LED lights that telegraph the results on another scanners.

The YA-101 can prove alive car information for a large variety of parameters, but the results are displayed in a tabular format. The YA-101's slightly more expensive cousin, the YA-301, tin graph the information for greater visual impact and belittling appeal.

EDiag YA-101: Performance

After I plugged in the YA-101 and fired up a vehicle, the scanner speedily connected with the computers on my 2014 Audi A4 AllRoad and 2016 Infiniti Q50. It was able to show the vehicle identification number (VIN) for each vehicle.

I manually disconnected the oil-temperature sensor on my 2014 Audi AllRoad, and the YA-101 detected the fault and and then let me plow off the Check Engine light. On the downside, the YA-101 was not advanced enough to turn off the oil light later on I drained the oil and replaced the oil and filter.

The scanner was able to show me that the automobile'southward battery and charging organization were OK, simply when something was amiss, the YA-101 could show me only the fault code.

In other words, the EDiag lacks any sort of explanation of the fault, suggestions for repair or links to the needed parts. Larger, more than expensive scanners, including the Innova CarScan Inspector 5310, practice provide those features. However, the EDiag YA-101 is a expert small scanner to have on hand.

EDiag YA-101 displaying car information — (Image credit: Tom's Guide)

EDiag YA-101: Setup

The YA-101's permanently attached OBD-Ii cable is skimpy at 32 inches. It'southward merely long enough to accomplish the OBD-Ii port if yous're sitting in the driver's seat of about cars. In other words, you won't be able to utilize the EDiag YA-101 while y'all're poking around the engine bay. An OBD extension cable is a must-have accessory for this scanner.

The best part merely might be EDiag's lifetime warranty for the YA-101 model. This means that the visitor will provide firmware updates as needed over the years, making it an OBD-II scanner that's cheap to continue upwards.

EDiag YA-101 review: Lesser line

A marvel of miniaturization, the EDiag YA-101 OBD-Ii automotive diagnostic scanner does a lot with a little, as far as its size and unbeatable $23 toll tag go. Its iv-key interface might be inefficient, but the YA-101 comes with a lifetime warranty and software upgrades, making it a scanner that volition keep helping you regardless of your ride.

Brian Nadel is a freelance writer and editor who specializes in engineering reporting and reviewing. He works out of the suburban New York City area and has covered topics from nuclear ability plants and Wi-Fi routers to cars and tablets. The former editor-in-principal of Mobile Computing and Communications, Nadel is the recipient of the TransPacific Writing Honor.