[Padgett]

Any car over 10 yesrs old that lacks a service contract, needs two things: a service manual and a quality scanner. Any inexpensive scanner that gives a code with many zeros (generic codes) is not scanning the actual module that is having a problem.
Least expensive decent one is Torque Pro which runs on an Android device (phone, tab) and uses an inexpensive dongle to communicate. It can display many parameters in real time and log them for review.
Even if you can't use, the local 15 year old gearhead will appreciate having the information available.

 

[Padgett]

ps Torque Pro can run mode 6. I generally leave a dongle in OBD-II cars and use TP first. Then decide what to do next.

 

[Padgett]

Prefer to gather as much information as possible before deciding what to do. Spent many years as a crisis manager having to make fast decisions. I do not now.

 

[Padgett]

I prefer a shorty (doesn't hit knee) ELM-327 BT dongle.