$76 OBDII Scanner!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
I bought one, not impressed at all. My autotap for GM blows it away.
Great if you are looking for generic OBDII information and code reading/clearing, but it does not handle any of the enhanced Ford parameters.
Autotap is worth the money.
Great if you are looking for generic OBDII information and code reading/clearing, but it does not handle any of the enhanced Ford parameters.
Autotap is worth the money.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
haven't tried it on my 2002 yet, worked ok on 99. It was very basic information, but if you know anything about VB or C++ i'm sure you could make it more suitable for your specific needs. My personal intention for it was to log data. (The new windows version now supports logging).
The innards of the interface box itself seems as advanced as an autoTap, however, the issue is the software at this point (which is free, and updated about every month or so). It can do very simple things like pull codes, give you stored register results, show you ground-speed, RPM, % load on engine, etc., but it's not all that user-friendly.
Here's a suggested use (only halfway-decent use I can think of):
YOu could hook it up to a small in-dash LCD monitor and set it up to display things like engine temp, RPM, etc (you'd still need a computer in the car)... just an idea
~VyPeR
The innards of the interface box itself seems as advanced as an autoTap, however, the issue is the software at this point (which is free, and updated about every month or so). It can do very simple things like pull codes, give you stored register results, show you ground-speed, RPM, % load on engine, etc., but it's not all that user-friendly.
Here's a suggested use (only halfway-decent use I can think of):
YOu could hook it up to a small in-dash LCD monitor and set it up to display things like engine temp, RPM, etc (you'd still need a computer in the car)... just an idea
~VyPeR
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
VyPeR,
Because the $76 adapter is generic, it does not perform any of the enhanced readings or body/tranny readings.
Here's an example:
Generic ODBII - TPS % only
Ford Enhanced - TPS % and TPS Voltage
Generic OBDII - Fuel Trim % only
Ford Enhanced - Fuel Trim and Injector Pulse Width
There are also 100 other parameters this $76 combo fails to measure.
Download the Autotap software for Ford and play around with it. It's 1000 times better.
Night and day,
Also, the adapter box is HUGE and the cables are not very thick. A true case of getting what you pay for.
Because the $76 adapter is generic, it does not perform any of the enhanced readings or body/tranny readings.
Here's an example:
Generic ODBII - TPS % only
Ford Enhanced - TPS % and TPS Voltage
Generic OBDII - Fuel Trim % only
Ford Enhanced - Fuel Trim and Injector Pulse Width
There are also 100 other parameters this $76 combo fails to measure.
Download the Autotap software for Ford and play around with it. It's 1000 times better.
Night and day,
Also, the adapter box is HUGE and the cables are not very thick. A true case of getting what you pay for.
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Camano Island, WA
I'm a VC++ programmer and I have a Lightning specific program in the works. Don't ask when it will be ready, it'll be done when it's done. It will be free to anybody who wants it.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
I'm a VC++ programmer and I have a Lightning specific program in the works. Don't ask when it will be ready, it'll be done when it's done. It will be free to anybody who wants it.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
FlashSVT- The tool is mechanically capable of doing everything that the autotap can do, the matter is in the software at this point. I'm thinkin future :-)
I prefer the autotap as well, but I also really like the idea of somehow tying the data logged from this device as well as data from a GPS sensor, and map my trips, as well as logging things like average speed, etc. besides, its only about $80.
~VyPeR
p.s. Mark_2KL - when you're done, please let us know; i'm very curious to see what your plans manifest into as far as a program goes
I prefer the autotap as well, but I also really like the idea of somehow tying the data logged from this device as well as data from a GPS sensor, and map my trips, as well as logging things like average speed, etc. besides, its only about $80.
~VyPeR
p.s. Mark_2KL - when you're done, please let us know; i'm very curious to see what your plans manifest into as far as a program goes
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: Portland, Oregon
the matter is in the software at this point.
If a "free" software package comes out that supports Enhanced parameters through PWM I'll be a happy camper.
Good reference material:
Generic paramters: - http://www.obd2.com/scantool/cardata/obdiigeneric.txt
Ford Enhanced parameters: - http://www.obd2.com/scantool/cardata/fordenhpers.txt
Fun stuff . . .
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
i agree... this toy is nice to play with but until some really good software is done, it's not really practical for real world use.
On the other hand, I suppose it's better than trying to use the blinking check engine light... ;-)
~VyPeR
On the other hand, I suppose it's better than trying to use the blinking check engine light... ;-)
~VyPeR
