Cheap OBD2 scanners are useful when a check-engine light appears, but most of them do little more than read a code and point you in a general direction. Modern vehicles contain dozens of electronic modules, so that limited information is not always enough to identify what actually failed.
Foxwell is targeting that gap with the NT919 BT, a new bidirectional diagnostic scanner designed for independent repair shops, mobile technicians, fleet maintenance teams, and experienced DIY users.
The rugged 8-inch tablet supports full-system diagnostics, ECU coding, more than 3,000 bidirectional active tests, and over 34 maintenance functions. It also supports newer vehicle communication protocols, including CAN-FD and DoIP.
The bidirectional testing is probably the most interesting feature here. Rather than simply reading information from a vehicle, the NT919 BT can send commands to supported components and check how they respond.
A technician could use the scanner to activate a cooling fan, fuel injector, ABS pump, relay, or exterior light without removing the part first. That can help confirm whether a component is faulty before someone starts buying replacement parts based on an error code alone.
Of course, the advertised 3,000-plus active tests will not be available on every vehicle. Supported functions depend on the manufacturer, model, year, engine, and installed control modules. Anyone considering the scanner should check compatibility for the specific vehicles they expect to service.
The NT919 BT includes automatic VIN recognition, allowing it to identify many vehicles and load the appropriate diagnostic software. This should save time in a shop where technicians regularly switch between different makes and models.
Once connected, the tablet can scan systems including the engine, transmission, anti-lock brakes, airbags, body control module, tire-pressure monitoring system, climate controls, and electronic steering. Users can read and clear generic and manufacturer-specific fault codes while also viewing live sensor data.
Foxwell includes ECU coding support as well. On compatible vehicles, this can be used for tasks such as matching replacement modules, adjusting certain configurations, completing adaptations, and restoring settings following a repair.
Buyers should not confuse ECU coding with unrestricted ECU programming, though. The level of access varies widely by automaker, and some advanced functions may be unavailable on certain vehicles.
The scanner also includes more than 34 maintenance services. Foxwell lists oil resets, electronic parking brake servicing, ABS bleeding, battery registration, and steering-angle sensor calibration among the supported options.
CAN-FD and DoIP support should make the NT919 BT more relevant for newer vehicles. Foxwell says DoIP works with compatible BMW F and G chassis models, Volkswagen, Volvo, Land Rover, and Nissan vehicles. CAN-FD support covers certain models from GM, Chrysler, Porsche, and Volkswagen.
Some newer cars place diagnostic functions behind manufacturer-controlled security gateways. Foxwell says owners can register through the scanner to access supported FCA and Renault vehicles produced from 2018 onward. Any related access charges are set by the automaker, not Foxwell, so additional fees may be required.
The tablet runs Android and includes 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, Bluetooth 5.0, and an 8-inch touchscreen. A wireless diagnostic adapter is included, allowing technicians to carry the tablet around the vehicle while monitoring live data or activating components.
Foxwell claims support for more than 140 American, European, and Asian vehicle brands, along with 28 languages. That sounds impressive, but buyers should focus on the available functions for their own vehicles rather than the total number of supported brands. Basic code reading may work broadly, while coding and active testing can be much more limited.
The Foxwell NT919 BT is currently on sale for $560 from the company’s website.
At that price, this is clearly not intended for someone who only wants to clear an occasional check-engine light. Less expensive scanners can handle that job. For repair shops, mobile technicians, or serious DIY users maintaining several vehicles, however, the deeper diagnostic access and active testing could justify the cost.
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