I saw the link to the Android tool, but Amazon has so many OBDII tools I'm lost. This will be the first time I'm using one of these (CEL came on yesterday) - any recommendation on which to buy from the group?

 

It'd be cheaper/better/more reliable to buy yourself a second-hand Android device and get the tool for Android.

 

Forgive the inexperience, but is there a way to uses these devices with a laptop?

 

For $39 (<$30 with a coupon) you can get a code reader from Harbor Freight that will read and reset the P codes (powertrain) on any OBD 2 complaint car. You can look at live data, fuel trims, temperatures, and etc on the cheapo readers. They may not have the hi-res color display of a phone, but they work.

I have had several Bluetooth and wifi OBD interfaces for Android and the iphone. While have I have found that they are more likely to work on Android devices they are flakey. They work with some cars and some phones sometimes. When you need it, it won't work. Consequently I have a cheapo reader in the trunk of each of may cars. They work all the time with any car.

Or this device will plug into the OBD port on your XK and display coolant temperature when the car is running. If your CEL goes on you can use it to read and reset the code. $33.25 including shipping on ebay. I have one on my XK. Works great.

AUTOOL X50 Plus Car OBD2 Smart Digital Early Alarm As ELM327 Fault Code Function

 

My OBD reader works perfectly with my Galaxy 6E and the Torque app. I believe the total cost including the reader and the app was less than $30.

 

I have the Bluetooth reader with the full version of Torque AND Dash Commander (prefer torque) and the whole thing cost me $6 plus $2 shipping from eBay.
Both programs and the reader all work perfectly.

 

Valuable feedback, as always - thank you.

 

Ordered the OBD reader from Harbor Freight - will report back.