Does Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 Monitor Transmission?

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I’ve wrestled with enough OBD-II scanners to fill a small junkyard. Bought the shiny ones, the ones with the fancy apps, the ones promising to do *everything*. Most of them ended up gathering dust after a week, offering little more than a cryptic code and a vague suggestion to consult my mechanic. It’s a frustrating cycle, especially when you’re just trying to figure out why your check engine light decided to show up for its weekly performance review.

So, the burning question for many of us tinkering with our cars, or just trying to decipher what’s going on under the hood, is: does Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 monitor transmission issues? It’s a fair question, and one that gets buried under marketing fluff.

Frankly, the sheer number of diagnostic tools out there is overwhelming, and separating the genuinely useful from the glorified paperweights is a skill I’ve honed through sheer, expensive trial and error. Let’s cut through the noise.

The Basic Truth: What the 9660 Can and Can’t See

Alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. The Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 is, at its core, an engine code reader. Its primary job is to pull Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) that the Engine Control Unit (ECU) flags when it detects a problem. This means it’s fantastic for identifying issues related to the engine, emissions, and sometimes even ABS systems, depending on the specific codes it can access.

But when you ask, ‘does Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 monitor transmission,’ you’re venturing into slightly more nuanced territory. Modern transmissions, especially automatic ones, are incredibly complex. They have their own sensors, their own fluid pressure monitors, and their own dedicated control modules. The 9660 *can* read transmission-related codes if they are generic OBD-II codes that the main ECU has access to and flags. Think of it like a universal translator that might miss some of the finer points of a specialized dialect.

I remember one time I was trying to diagnose a weird shudder in my old Honda Civic. The check engine light was on, and I plugged in a generic code reader I’d picked up for about $30. It spat out a code related to misfires. Great, I thought, new spark plugs and I’m golden. Turns out, the shudder wasn’t from the engine at all, but a torque converter issue in the transmission that the cheap scanner just couldn’t see because it wasn’t a primary engine code.

When Transmission Codes Actually Show Up

So, when *will* the Pocketscan Plus 9660 show transmission problems? It’s usually when the transmission issue is so severe it’s affecting engine performance, or when a failure triggers a broader diagnostic alert. For example, if a transmission solenoid failure causes the engine to misfire or overheat, you’ll likely get an engine-related code that the 9660 can pick up. It’s an indirect connection, but a connection nonetheless. (See Also: Why Does My Monitor Look Stretched Out )

It’s like trying to diagnose a plumbing leak by looking at the paint peeling on your ceiling. You know there’s a problem, you can see the *symptom*, but you’re not directly seeing the burst pipe itself. The Pocketscan Plus 9660 is your ceiling observer; it’s not your plumber.

My friend Gary, bless his heart, bought one of these basic scanners assuming it would diagnose every twitch his increasingly geriatric Ford Explorer made. He spent a solid three hours one Saturday morning convinced his transmission was toast because a code popped up. Turns out, it was a simple EGR valve issue that was indirectly causing the engine to struggle, and the transmission was just compensating. He almost traded the car in for scrap based on faulty, incomplete data. It cost him $50 for a proper diagnosis and a new valve, saving him thousands.

Understanding Transmission Control Modules (tcms)

Here’s where the distinction gets important: most modern vehicles have a separate Transmission Control Module (TCM) that manages the gearbox. The Pocketscan Plus 9660, being a more basic, non-professional-grade scanner, primarily communicates with the main Engine Control Unit (ECU). While the ECU and TCM can sometimes talk to each other and share information, the 9660 isn’t designed to directly interface with the TCM itself or pull its specific, internal diagnostic codes. Think of it as a general practitioner versus a specialist. The GP can tell you if you’re generally unwell, but for heart surgery, you need the cardiologist.

This is why, for more in-depth transmission diagnostics, you often need a more advanced scan tool, one that can perform ‘bi-directional control’ or has access to manufacturer-specific data streams for the TCM. These tools can command solenoids, check fluid temperatures directly from the TCM, and read codes that are exclusive to the transmission’s own computer. The Pocketscan Plus 9660 simply doesn’t have that level of access.

Contrarian Opinion: Why ‘basic’ Might Be Enough (sometimes)

Everyone screams that you need a $500 scanner to do anything serious on a modern car. I disagree, and here is why: for the vast majority of common transmission problems that *also* throw an engine light, a basic scanner like the Pocketscan Plus 9660 will give you a starting point. If your transmission is slipping so badly it’s causing misfires or affecting overall engine performance, the 9660 will likely catch *something*. It might not be the transmission code itself, but it will point you in the general direction of a problem that is impacting the transmission.

For instance, a severely worn transmission might cause the engine RPM to fluctuate wildly, leading the ECU to throw a sensor fault code. The Pocketscan Plus 9660 would pick that up, and while it wouldn’t say ‘transmission clutch pack worn,’ it would alert you to an engine performance anomaly that’s *linked* to the transmission’s struggle. It’s like hearing a loud clunking noise from your car – you don’t know if it’s the suspension, the exhaust, or something else, but you know something is seriously wrong and needs investigation. The 9660 is that clunking noise detector for engine-related symptoms. (See Also: How Many External Monitor Does An Intel Macbook Air Support )

What About Transmission Fluid Temperature?

One common piece of data people want from a scanner is transmission fluid temperature (TFT). This is vital for diagnosing overheating issues, especially in heavy-duty applications or during towing. Can the Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 monitor transmission fluid temperature? Generally, no. This is a piece of data that is almost exclusively handled by the TCM and accessed by higher-end scanners capable of reading live data streams directly from that module. The 9660 is designed to read stored fault codes, not to provide real-time sensor data from every subsystem.

I spent around $150 testing a few different basic scanners specifically to see if any could pull live TFT data for a project car. After testing four different models, I confirmed that none of them could access that specific PIDs (Parameter IDs) from the TCM. It was a disappointing afternoon, punctuated by the smell of cheap plastic and lukewarm coffee.

When to Step Up Your Scanner Game

So, if you’re dealing with subtle transmission issues – like delayed shifts, occasional harshness, or torque converter lock-up problems that *don’t* trigger a check engine light – the Pocketscan Plus 9660 is going to be about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. You need a scanner that can:

Access specific manufacturer codes (not just generic OBD-II).
Read live data streams from the TCM.
Perform bi-directional tests on transmission solenoids and actuators.

Tools like the Autel MaxiCOM series, Launch X431, or even professional-grade Snap-on scanners are in a different league. They talk directly to the TCM, can command specific functions, and display all the nuanced data you need for a proper transmission diagnosis. The Pocketscan Plus 9660 is a great starting point for basic engine diagnostics, but it’s not the tool for deep dives into transmission health.

Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 vs. Advanced Scanners: A Quick Look

Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’re getting with the 9660 versus what you’d need for serious transmission work.

Feature	Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660	Advanced Scanner (e.g., Autel, Launch)	Verdict
Read Engine DTCs	Yes (Generic OBD-II)	Yes (Generic & Manufacturer-Specific)	9660 is good here.
Read Transmission DTCs	Limited (Only if flagged by ECU as generic)	Yes (Direct TCM access)	Advanced scanners win big.
Live Data (Engine)	Basic PIDs (RPM, Speed, etc.)	Extensive (All sensors, custom PIDs)	9660 is okay for basics.
Live Data (Transmission)	No	Yes (Fluid temp, pressure, solenoid status, etc.)	9660 fails here.
Bi-directional Control	No	Yes (Actuator tests, resets)	9660 can’t do this.
Cost	Approx. $50 – $100	$400 – $2000+	Price reflects capability.

The Bottom Line: It’s About Expectations

When asking, does Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 monitor transmission, the honest answer is: sometimes, indirectly, and with significant limitations. It’s a capable tool for its price point, excellent for basic engine diagnostics and identifying common DTCs that might be related to a failing transmission. However, it is not a dedicated transmission diagnostic tool.

Final Verdict

So, to directly answer the question: does Actron Pocketscan Plus 9660 monitor transmission? It can pick up *some* transmission-related trouble codes if they are flagged by the main engine computer as generic issues. If your transmission is causing the engine to misfire or throw a broad performance code, yes, the 9660 will likely tell you something is wrong.

But if you’re looking for detailed transmission health checks, live data like fluid temperature, or the ability to test specific transmission components, you’ll need to look at more advanced, specialized scan tools. The Pocketscan Plus 9660 is a great entry-level gadget for the DIYer focused on engine health, not a transmission whisperer.

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My advice? Know what you’re trying to diagnose before you buy. If it’s a flashing check engine light and a rough idle, the 9660 might save you a trip to the shop. If you’re hearing grinding noises or experiencing subtle shifting issues without any engine warning lights, you’re going to need to invest in a scanner that can truly talk to your car’s transmission module.