OBD2 scanner for laptops?

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

hey guys I found this, I'm planning to get it.. any thoughts?
ELM327 USB Vehicle OBD-2 Scanner Tool - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=54BSNxKagu4

[Vancouver_M5]

I have the aame one, you're gonna have a ey hard time setting it up so it actually reads your car but it will work. It is usb but you till have to connect it to a "com" port which is quite difficult.
If you have a android device, inwould suggest getting the android wireles s version, its 20$ inthink and its plug and play

[The_AK]

^whats so hard about it? Would like to get a ODB-2 scanner as well (for 2004 Civic)

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

Originally Posted by Vancouver_M5

I have the aame one, you're gonna have a ey hard time setting it up so it actually reads your car but it will work. It is usb but you till have to connect it to a "com" port which is quite difficult.
If you have a android device, inwould suggest getting the android wireles s version, its 20$ inthink and its plug and play

I don't have an andriod =( and yeah.. what's so hard about settin it up?

[Vancouver_M5]

Well im very computer savvy and it took me and a another programmer friend of mine 3 hours to set it up. This OBD tech connects to your pc through Com's , something i can almost guarantee you dont have, this is ancient technology and the software you get with it is terrible and ven more ancient. You ge no instructions and you have to do everything manually, ( choosing Coms, setting up the refresh rate, polling rate, etc)
There are bluetooth obd readera that conect to iphones as well but they cost 50$,
Its not impossible to make it run, just annoying as hell

[The_AK]

Anyone have xp with this?

Scan Tool Red OBDLink SX OBD II 2 Scanner FREE SOFTWARE | eBay


(Other link in case ebay expires: http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-sx.html )
Thinking about picking it up

Too late,
purchased. Will report back with results once I receive it.

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

that's 60 bucks! ill probably pick up a real OBD with 60

[godwin]

You have to ask yourself what are you going to use the adaptor for?

If your car has specialized diagnostic tools eg VW, BMW, Mercedes etc.. don't go with a generic OBD2.. you get more features with one that is designed for your marque.. eg turning DRL on off, programming keys etc.

OBD2 is the base protocol that everyone has to know.. however different car manufacturers "enchanced" the protocols in many different ways.. that's why it depends on which car manufacturer you are "loyal" to.

If you just want for general clearing codes for any cars.. then wait and get the $10-20 generic ones from Princess Auto.

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

read codes / clear codes on a 03 camry and 06 tsx

[godwin]

For Japanese car just get a generic one when Princess Auto goes one sale.

Because Japanese car manufacturers don't have disclosure laws like Europeans.. they don't' have to publish their diagnostic specs.non factory support is limited at best.

Originally Posted by Bahhbeehhaaaa

read codes / clear codes on a 03 camry and 06 tsx

[bcrdukes]

Look on Craigslist. Once in a while, some OBD scanners pop up for sale.

[46_valentinor]

i can help anyone that needs to have their code read and cleared!! don't go to the dealer or a garage to have it done, its the biggest rip off ever!

[Little Tea]

For reading OBD-II info in a nice and fancy way, plus the ability to read and clear codes. I use an eBay bluetooth OBD-II dongle, with a jackbroken iPhone running dash command.

Total cost was $18, also get the benefit of accessing simple engine data such as water/intake temp etc etc, out of sight when I don't need it, no wiring

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

Originally Posted by Little Tea

For reading OBD-II info in a nice and fancy way, plus the ability to read and clear codes. I use an eBay bluetooth OBD-II dongle, with a jackbroken iPhone running dash command.

Total cost was $18, also get the benefit of accessing simple engine data such as water/intake temp etc etc, out of sight when I don't need it, no wiring

u got the link to that?

[Little Tea]

What link do you need?

All these eBay bluetooth dongles under USD $20 are the same, no difference which seller you get one.

You'll need a jailbroken iphone, I'm sure if you don't already know how to, you can learn it easily.

You'll also need the Cydia app roqyGPS4, to get around iPhone's inherent inability to pair with the bluetooth dongle.

Lastly you will need the monitor app, you get only two choices, Rev or Dash Command, Rev has a anti-jailbreak function built in, unless you know how to get around it, I don't.

Lastly, you can also do this legitly, look up Kiwi PLX, but the non-jailbroken one would cost you close to 200 bucks while I get mine done for 18.

Peace

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

anyone tried this?
Latest ELM327 OBD2 OBDII CAN-BUS Diagnostic Scanner USB with Free Software | eBay

[dangonay]

I personally don't see the point in getting a code reader if you don't know how to actually fix your car and figure out what the code actually does.

One of the worst things you can do is to have a code pop up to turn your CEL on, clear the code and keep driving until it appears again. Then clear and repeat. Worse yet is to get a code, google it and see what other people did to fix that code and assume your car has the same problem. Many OBD codes can have numerous possible problems, so knowing the code doesn't guarantee a specific problem. I'll give two very common example codes:

P0135 - O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction.

What does this mean? The ECU normally monitors both the voltage and current through the sensor heater. If it's out of range then this code sets. So what can cause it? From beginning to end they would be: fuse for heater circuits, relay for heaters (if present), wire from power supply to the sensor, sensor connector, the O2 sensor itself, wire from sensor to ECU, connector at ECU and finally the ECU itself. Most people replace the sensor, which is a good guess. And if, after the sensor is replaced the code comes back, then what?

P0171 - System Too Lean.

This is a common code on many newer cars. It basically means the ECU has to add additional fuel because the engine is running lean. Possible causes for this code include: fuel pressure too low, fuel pump not able to deliver enough fuel under load (worn out pump motor), clogged injectors, restricted fuel line, O2 sensor out of range, MAF (mass air sensor), intake air leaks (for example, bad gaskets at the throttle body/intake manifold or a leak in any of the engine vacuum lines).


About the only benefit I see to having a code reader is so you can read your codes before going to a shop (without deleting them) to check and see if your mechanic is telling you the truth when he explains what they found when they diagnosed your car. As a tool to help you fix your car yourself they are almost useless (unless you're a mechanic).

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

I'm not a pro auto tech, but i have lots of interest in cars... i love working on them I'll think for a bit before i make my decision. Thanks dangonay