I ordered an ODBII interface I found on the web, and it arrived today. It works great, I was able to connect and start monitoring the engine within minutes. Getting to some of the more obscure data is a bit confusing, but I only played around with it for about 10 minutes. It will display diagnostic codes saved in the ECU and you can clear them as well (turn off the SES light).

Here’s a link to the interface:
http://www.abcwc.net/accounts/quanta/index.html
All it needs is a laptop or a desktop within 12 feet. Free software is available on the site for both Windows and DOS.

It does more or less the same thing as the more expensive ones, and the Autotap does appear to have friendlier software. But compare $76 for the BR-1 to $289 for an Autotap. Plus it works with all the big 3 autos plus some euros.

Main form:


Graph up to 4 parameters:


Monitor the O2 sensors:

 

Looks great. Thanks for the heads up on this one. I will be getting one.

 

excellent find . . . thanks

 

Thanks, though I'm flat broke, I'll ad this to my "things to get after I win the lottery" list. Do you know if the software is compatible with Mac OS?

 

Great post.

 

Cool, $76 for software. Not cool, $1,200 for laptop. Maybe I can pull my truck real close to my front door or either run and extension cord for my computer.

 

How long can it log data? Do you think it can read an entire 1/4 mile run? Great find BTW.

 

Oh yeah, what are the system requirments?
I've got a buddy that has some old laptops that might be perfect for this!

 

I'm curious as to how this compares with Autotap. I was looking at the CJII for my Palm at http://www.aeswave.com

I noticed that the CJII has a seperate Ford program for an additional $199 that lets you tap into Ford only parameters. I wonder if Autotap and this particular software have the same parameters.

 

the dos version will run on just about any x86 laptop that can handle dos. the windows version will run on a 486 or better running win95 or better i assume. so you should be able to find a lap top for $100 or so that can handle this software... not bad, i guess...

 

Mark_2L,

I'm not sure I know how to interpet the A/F.???

My other question is the same as CornerCarver.

Jim

 

You can't really get the air/fuel without an air/fuel meter that plugs into the 02 sensor. One that works is close to $1000.

 

I just ordered one!! I'm a computer geek and my brother is a gearhead...
my brother has a mac tools scanner... pretty nice. It will be interesting to see how it sizes up to his $600 unit; since I'm only paying <$80..

John

 

99svtlightning:

Did you trade your 99 in at Winner Ford in Newark? I saw one sitting in the used lot today. Looked pretty much stock except for tints and bassani exhaust. I think it had something like 32K on it

Jon

 

Would this be good info to give to a tuner to "custom" burn a chip? I know that the A/F ratio would be good to have also.

Just thinking aloud.

Brett