OBDII Scanner Thread 2013

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Originally Posted By: Donald

I have a http://www.autoenginuity.com/ one and I think its an excellent product. Several other BITOGers have one also. You need a laptop. But you can buy what you need. Start out with the basic and add manufacturers specific stuff when you need it. When you get the manufacturers specific stuff its bi-directional meaning you can command the ECM to do things (like turn on the electric engine fan to check it out). Its more expensive than the $100 one at Walmart for good reason. Also they are somewhat flexible. I bought my first one from them maybe in 2005 for a Palm (remember those things). Recently I traded in the OBDII adapter for the PALM and got one for a PC. I had to pay some, but a lot less than normal price. They have Bluetooth and other stuff.

Did you buy the proline version for $1399? Given my range of cars, it almost seems worth it!

I have the ProLine and didn't pay anywhere near that. I bought it on E-bay, LOL Came with the BMW package.

 

[Vikas]

For example, on 2012 Accord V6, generic scanner can extract PIDs which can give you following data. Bunch of stuff is calculated but still amount of real PIDs reported is quite large and can help you analyze the engine running characteristics. Manufacture Date: 05/2012 Transmission: Automatic Protocol: 29-bit CAN Open/Closed Loop Emissions Status Percent Engine Load Engine coolant temperature (F) Engine coolant temperature (C) Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1 Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1 Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 2 Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 2 Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) PSI Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)(kPa) RPM MPH KPH Ignition Timing Advance Intake Air Temperature (F) Intake Air Temperature (C) Mass Air Flow Sensor output in grams/sec Absolute Throttle Position Percentage Bank 1 Oxygen Sensor 2 Voltage Bank 2 Oxygen Sensor 2 Voltage ECM RUN TIME Distance traveled with Check Engine Light on (miles) Distance traveled with Check Engine Light on (km) Commanded EGR Flow Percent Commanded EGR Flow Error Percent Commanded Evaporative purge Percent Fuel Level Percent Number of warm-ups Since Check Engine Light cleared Distance traveled since Check Engine Light cleared (miles) Distance traveled since Check Engine Light cleared (km) Evaporative System Vapor Pressure (PSI) Evaporative System Vapor Pressure (Pa) Barometric Pressure (inHg) Barometric Pressure (kPa) Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 1 Temperature (F) Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 1 Temperature (C) Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 1 Temperature (F) Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 1 Temperature (C) Battery Voltage Relative Throttle Position Percentage Absolute Throttle Position Percentage Accelerator Position 1 Percentage Accelerator Position 2 Percentage Commanded Throttle Position Percentage Boost Pressure, (Relative Pressure) (PSI) Boost Pressure, (Relative Pressure) (kPa) Brake Horsepower 1 Brake Kilowatts 1 Torque 1 (ft lbs) Torque 1 (N.m) Brake Horsepower 2 Brake Kilowatts 2 Torque 2 (ft lbs) Torque 2 (N.m) Volumetric Efficiency UG Battery voltage Mass Air Flow 2, Calibrated/Calculated Instantaneous MPG Intantaneous Gallons/Hour (GPH) Instantaneous KPL Intantaneous Liters/Hour Instantaneous L/100km Distance to Empty(DTE)(miles) Distance to Empty(DTE)(km) Time to Empty (TTE) Fuel Level (gallons) Fuel Level (liters) Oil Distance(miles) Oil Distance(km) Service Distance(miles) Service Distance(km) General Purpose Average MPH Average MPG Average Gallon/Hour (GPH) Fuel Used (gallons) Run Time Distance (miles) Average KPL Average L/100km Average KPH Average Liters/Hour Fuel Used (liters) Distance (km) TRIP GAUGES Run Time Average MPH Average MPG Fuel Used Gallons Average Gallon Per Hour (GPH) UltraGauge Internal Temperature (F) Average KPH Avergage KPL Avergage L/100km Liters Used Average Liters/Hour Distance (km) UltraGauge Internal Temperature (C) SHORT TRIP GAUGES Run Time Avergage MPG Fuel Used (gallons) Average gallons/hour Average MPH Distance (miles) Average KPH Avergage KPL Avergage L/100km Liters Used Average Liters/Hour Distance (km)

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Vikas

For example, on 2012 Accord V6, generic scanner can extract PIDs which can give you following data. Bunch of stuff is calculated but still amount of real PIDs reported is quite large and can help you analyze the engine running characteristics. Manufacture Date: 05/2012 Transmission: Automatic Protocol: 29-bit CAN Open/Closed Loop Emissions Status Percent Engine Load Engine coolant temperature (F) Engine coolant temperature (C) Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 1 Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 1 Short Term Fuel Trim Bank 2 Long Term Fuel Trim Bank 2 Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) PSI Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP)(kPa) RPM MPH KPH Ignition Timing Advance Intake Air Temperature (F) Intake Air Temperature (C) Mass Air Flow Sensor output in grams/sec Absolute Throttle Position Percentage Bank 1 Oxygen Sensor 2 Voltage Bank 2 Oxygen Sensor 2 Voltage ECM RUN TIME Distance traveled with Check Engine Light on (miles) Distance traveled with Check Engine Light on (km) Commanded EGR Flow Percent Commanded EGR Flow Error Percent Commanded Evaporative purge Percent Fuel Level Percent Number of warm-ups Since Check Engine Light cleared Distance traveled since Check Engine Light cleared (miles) Distance traveled since Check Engine Light cleared (km) Evaporative System Vapor Pressure (PSI) Evaporative System Vapor Pressure (Pa) Barometric Pressure (inHg) Barometric Pressure (kPa) Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 1 Temperature (F) Catalytic Converter Bank 1 Sensor 1 Temperature (C) Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 1 Temperature (F) Catalytic Converter Bank 2 Sensor 1 Temperature (C) Battery Voltage Relative Throttle Position Percentage Absolute Throttle Position Percentage Accelerator Position 1 Percentage Accelerator Position 2 Percentage Commanded Throttle Position Percentage Boost Pressure, (Relative Pressure) (PSI) Boost Pressure, (Relative Pressure) (kPa) Brake Horsepower 1 Brake Kilowatts 1 Torque 1 (ft lbs) Torque 1 (N.m) Brake Horsepower 2 Brake Kilowatts 2 Torque 2 (ft lbs) Torque 2 (N.m) Volumetric Efficiency UG Battery voltage Mass Air Flow 2, Calibrated/Calculated Instantaneous MPG Intantaneous Gallons/Hour (GPH) Instantaneous KPL Intantaneous Liters/Hour Instantaneous L/100km Distance to Empty(DTE)(miles) Distance to Empty(DTE)(km) Time to Empty (TTE) Fuel Level (gallons) Fuel Level (liters) Oil Distance(miles) Oil Distance(km) Service Distance(miles) Service Distance(km) General Purpose Average MPH Average MPG Average Gallon/Hour (GPH) Fuel Used (gallons) Run Time Distance (miles) Average KPL Average L/100km Average KPH Average Liters/Hour Fuel Used (liters) Distance (km) TRIP GAUGES Run Time Average MPH Average MPG Fuel Used Gallons Average Gallon Per Hour (GPH) UltraGauge Internal Temperature (F) Average KPH Avergage KPL Avergage L/100km Liters Used Average Liters/Hour Distance (km) UltraGauge Internal Temperature (C) SHORT TRIP GAUGES Run Time Avergage MPG Fuel Used (gallons) Average gallons/hour Average MPH Distance (miles) Average KPH Avergage KPL Avergage L/100km Liters Used Average Liters/Hour Distance (km)

This is all engine. What about transmission, ABS, etc?

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Vikas

I was talking about Autel MS509 http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiScan-MS509-OBD-II-Scanner/dp/B001LHXTO0 HF Centec 98614 http://www.harborfreight.com/can-obd-ii-code-reader-eobd-scanner-98614.html is identical to it. I have both. AL319 is the follow on model but I "thought" it had some functionality removed and some functionality added as compared to MS509. I was contemplating picking up AL319 but I had first hand experience with the other one. I knew it worked for the Maxima and when my son needed it, that is what I suggested for him to purchase. By the way, I hope you did not pay the list price for the code reader from HF. That one is normally available at Amazon as Autel M300 under $20. I have that one too (I paid $30 then) but for some reason, it would not give me code on my Maxima even when the check engine light was on! It works fine on the Camry, so I keep it in that car.

Any idea what this is all about? Sounds a bit flaky to me.

Quote:

Description: MaxiScan MS509 OBD II/EOBD Scanner supports all nine OBD II test modes on all OBD II compliant vehicles,with this technicians can diagnose complex problems accurately. This ergonomic scan tool, though sophisticated yet easy-to-use. NOTE: Att.Please do not put the battery in,it will damage the ms509. Just connect to the car and then start the car the screen will shows light

 

[Vikas]

All vehicle scanners (aka generic) only gives you power traincodes Pxxx (some add body module Uxxx). ABS or airbag codes are completely different and unless the scanner specifically supports it, you are not going to get it. There is no standardized ABS/SRS code list mandated by EPA/Gummit. I am sure you are not the type who *likes* Gummit doing that, right???? Trav, Are you asking about the battery on MS509? My son has not added the battery. The mine (HF version) had battery at one time but when it went dead, I did not bother to replace it.

 

[cchase]

Originally Posted By: Donald

This is all engine. What about transmission, ABS, etc?

Right. And they are just generic OBD2 readings, nothing manufacturer specific like oil pressure, temperature, transmission temperature. I own an Ultragauge, and while it's a nice to have if you need a trouble code, or if your vehicle doesn't have a live MPG gauge, or if you want to look at fuel trims. It's relatively limited otherwise. The lists that Ultragauge populates look very impressive until you actually cut them down to size. Many items on their lists are duplicates in metric or just calculations of existing data.

 

[Vikas]

To get oil pressure, temperature, transmission temperature, you need manufacturer specific scanner support. Unless you find pirated software and stolen cable, this costs megabucks. If you can find the actual PID for those parameters, some devices let you program them in aka Torque or ScanGauge. Bottom line is unless you own a shop and have budget for a comprehensive scanner and money to pay for annual updates, you are not going to get those features. If this is preventing you from getting an affordable scanner, I have nothing more to say.

 

[cchase]

If you're limited to the generic codes with all of these scanners, the answer to JHZR2's original post seems to be that there's no way to get (transmission, ABS, SRS, manufacturer) from any of these scanners. If you're down to that point, they all seem to be doing the same thing and it would come down to personal preference for interface. I really think the generic scanner manufacturers are missing the boat. Some of the non-generic, manufacturer-specific OBD2 parameters are easy to figure out (and many thousands of people have figured them out already) and would be easy to integrate into the firmware for the scanners and provide at least some specific sensor data. Perhaps not SRS and ABS information but some that I mentioned earlier (oil pressure, temperature, transmission temperature) are known for several major manufacturers.

 

[Vikas]

If you have figured out (or know a link or two) where there is a list of manufacture PIDs, please post it. The general trouble with such a list is that it is usually very specific to make/model/year.

 

[cchase]

I hadn't considered year or model specific codes. I seem to recall though on the Scangauge site that people seemed to have some of the more basic manufacturer specific codes figured out. But, without a real resource, I guess that leaves us up the proverbial creek. I figured that none of this could be too hard to figure out and that the manufacturer of a scanner should be able to come up with more PIDs on their own. All I really want is a scanner to see transmission and oil temp without paying an arm and a leg. I get the impression that makers of Ultragauge, for example, are more interested in maximizing profit for the minimum work by only offering generic parameters.

 

[Vikas]

Realistically, unless you want Ultragauge to find the codes via illegal methods, your only other option is to find a scanner which lets you input the PID parameters. Ultragauge probably could support something like that but it is extremely difficult to come up with a user interface which will let you do that using two buttons only! I can't blame them for not providing something like that. If only they had designed the hardware with micro usb connector! To be able to licence the manufacturer specific PID, they have to pay royalty. That is one of reason why professional scanners cost big bucks.

 

[cchase]

Interesting re: royalties, was not aware of that aspect...

 

[rationull]

Sounds like this is pretty well sorted out already, but I figured I'd chime in anyway. I have had a ScanGauge 2 for years but recently also wanted to get something with a little more flexibility. I ended up buying the ScanTool.Net OBDLink MX bluetooth adapter. The software it comes with (both for Windows and Android) is actually better than I was expecting, but I bought Torque Pro for Android as well for better real time monitoring. Aside from Torque causing some weird issues when you have it doing its protocol scan while turning the ECU on, I've been pretty impressed with it. The ScanXL software that's available is pretty functional for certain makes (not as broad as Autoenginuity though) and is not quite so expensive as to make it hard to swallow vs taking it to a shop a couple times. And even the software it comes with beats the heck out of the ScanGauge as far as checking codes and OBD2 readiness. I can provide more info if it would help, but wanted to mention this quickly while I had a few minutes. ELM327 was mentioned earlier but the OBDLink MX is supposed to be better in several ways.

 

[Vikas]

Isn't it based upon ELM327 i.e. internally it is same as any other generic chinese one? To the best of my knowledge, for Torque to work, it has to ELM327. That is the only conversational dialog that it understands.

 

[rationull]

I don't think the OBDLink MX is based on ELM327. Their info page at least implies that it's not: http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html. It's possible that it shares some protocols but the MX is supposed to be faster/more capable.

 

[Vikas]

You probably are right as that is the first adapter shown on the torque web page.

 

[Coprolite]

I am looking to get a scanner to record relevant data for MPG and oil life tracking. I am currently tracking multiple odometers that output average speed along with distance and in the case of the Ford, gallons consumed. I am also tracking all fills. I recently started tracking the IOLM on the F150, which is not exactly convenient. The tracking of all this is also hindered by the lack of zeal on my wife's part. I would like some guidance on which devices can either record to internal memory or pair up with iOS devices. My wife has an iPhone 5 and it looks like my company will be authorizing iPhones before any Android devices. Vikas, I saw your note on Sonataman's thread, but didn't want to hijack that thread with my query. Thanks!

 

[Vikas]

I believe there an iPhone device which just came out on the market which does most of what you are asking for. It had some generic name like "Automatic" or something like that. It is a bluetooth device and you keep it plugged in to the vehicle and it sends all the information to your iPhone. We were discussing it last month or so on BITOG. Somebody must have better memory than I do!! Here it is! How in the world that URL was still available? Can I grab manual.com or 5speed.com or transmission.com or vehicle.com?

 

[EricF]

Where'd you buy the ELM327 from?

 

[Coprolite]

Vikas, thanks so much. Has anyone on BITOG ordered one yet? It looks like they are sold out* until summer, but I am bookmarking so that I can order as soon as I get a new phone. I do hope that I will be able to get raw data from it. In any case, it looks pretty good. *It looks more like development and production delays, not orders causing the delay until July. Some of the phrasing on the site is a bit off.