Choosing an OBD scan tool.

Post by **MountainManJoe** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:51 pm

Hey guys.

I'm looking to get a PC scan tool for my van to diagnose various problems. I'd like to be able to get real time data for all the sensors, graphs, and obviously trouble codes, but I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars. I have a laptop with USB ports.

I know you can get cheap ELM (322 and 327) based solutions on ebay and stuff, but some people say it's not as good. Apparently the communication speed of the ELM chip is slow (http://www.obdii.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000359.html). Autotap uses something called LDV and it's proprietary and expensive, and you probably have to use their software. I've read that some interfaces don't give you access to all the parameters you can get through the OBD2 port, only basic ones.

Anybody experienced with this have any advice?

2002Safari · Post by **2002Safari** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:15 pm

I bought an ELM 322 unit some 3 years or so ago. I used freeware software which allowed me to full codes and reset them. It did the job I needed. I paid some $70 for each of them. I've used the GM and ISO version.

Were I to buy again, I would spend the $200 to get the "all in one" type with commercial software. I haven't reviewed what is available. What I do now is you can do performance testing as well as debugging. I am more interested in problem areas than 0 to 60 timing; however, the two may be more inter-related than I may think.

Post by **MountainManJoe** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:06 pm

You could have gotten the ELM 327 which will handles GM and ISO.

I'm not interested in 0-60 either, but more so the realtime sensor readout. So what would you spend your $200 on now?

ihatemybike · Post by **ihatemybike** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 5:07 am

I know it doesn't hook up to a laptop, but I'm quite happy with my ScanGaugeII.

http://www.scangauge.com/

sfeaver · Post by **sfeaver** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 4:04 pm

Check out this site... this is the software I use on my laptop:

http://www.bowserelectronics.com/

I also have a Scangauge too which works well, but the software will show alot more.

Scott

phr1$k37 · Post by **phr1$k37** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:00 am

]
Scangauge and Gentel (or something) scanner.
Scott do you know of a good software / scanner for pre-OBD2?

Someone · Post by **Someone** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:08 am

I have Autotap... it works good but really is nothing special, maybe if you were to buy all of the extras... but then again it is not $1000's like a snap on

I would give it 1 thumb up.. I like the sensor readouts, they have come in handy. It always finds the vehicle info (VIN) except on a hyundai, I had to enter it manually.

92astro · Post by **92astro** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:14 am

what is a Autotap? and can i ues it on my 1992 astro and how much is it and can you post a pic??

Someone · Post by **Someone** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:32 am

it is for all 96 and newer vehicles

kings-x59 · Post by **kings-x59** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 12:22 pm

92astro wrote:what is a Autotap? and can i ues it on my 1992 astro and how much is it and can you post a pic??

For your '92, if you have a laptop, you could use this: http://winaldl.joby.se/
If you are electronically inclined they show you how to make your own cable. If not (like me), you can buy one online.
The site shows a bunch of screen shots of the software, which is free btw.

phr1$k37 · Post by **phr1$k37** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:10 pm

Wow awesome resources!
Just curious does anyone know where / have CD of diagnostic codes?

kings-x59 · Post by **kings-x59** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:25 pm

you can probably find what you are looking for here: http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/

v8famvan · Post by **v8famvan** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:42 am

As anyone can imagine, nothing beats the OEM professional scan tool. I have tried various scan tools in my years of experience in the trade & I can say that I am fairly impressed with http://www.autoenginuity.com/. Sure, I have found glitches & errors in comparison with the OEM scan tool operation, but it definitely has earned its place in my tool box for diagnosing problems. Reasonably priced, professional grade, upgradeable, updatedable & supported. Just my 2 cents....

Post by **MountainManJoe** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 8:55 am

v8famvan wrote:As anyone can imagine, nothing beats the OEM professional scan tool. I have tried various scan tools in my years of experience in the trade & I can say that I am fairly impressed with http://www.autoenginuity.com/. Sure, I have found glitches & errors in comparison with the OEM scan tool operation, but it definitely has earned its place in my tool box for diagnosing problems. Reasonably priced, professional grade, upgradeable, updatedable & supported. Just my 2 cents....

If you want to read the GM sensors, it comes to $500 US altogether ... OUCH!

v8famvan · Post by **v8famvan** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 9:19 am

The 'Enhanced' feature to read more of the GM sensors. The basic program will read alot of the 'generic' sensors & data on alot of vehicles (most OBD2 vehicles - '96 & newer). The 'Enhanced' data is helpful in diagnosing issues, but the 'generic' does provide alot of information that can help the novice, without being overwhelming.

Another way of looking at it: Is $500 a bad deal for a 'professional' scantool a bad deal?

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