automotive diag software

So being the tinkering person that I am I was curious if any of you use your toughbooks for OBD II testing and diag machines. If so I would like to know what kind of software you use and what are some real good ones to use.

Dan

 

I have rebuilt a few toughbooks for car enthusiasts and shops but im not sure what software they installed afterwards... I can always ask one on tuesday for you since tomorrow is a holiday here

 

I haven't used this one but it looks interesting

http://obddiagnostics.com/index.html

Bob

 

well that program does look pretty cool but it isn't compatible with my 98 dodge ram, or at least my truck isn't on the list only goes back to '04

Gonna try it anyway once I get the adapter cable

 

I use an ODB1 on my Porsche. I etched the board and soldered it all together. I can read and clear codes and check function on a variety of things. It plugs into the 9 pin serial port on the back of the Toughbook. I use it all the time. It uses some software that a few very smart people put together on Rennlist.com...

 

HI,
Hmmm TB. I worry about you. If you use your diagnostic software all the time it must mean that your vehicle must need constant tender loving care. I don't like that a lot. Maybe you mis-spoke.

But I do like the idea of using the TB for this purpose. I sounds like it is a very useful capability. It also sounds like a neat computer project.

Sparky

 

I use the Vag-Com software on my VW. http://www.ross-tech.com/

Saves me the $60 "diagnostic fee" each time I go to the shop. All it is is the same thing... some kid in the shop plugs in the OBD2 scanner, reads the error codes, prints out the results, and tells you what you need done on the car. Now I do all that at home, and circle the ones I want fixed, or clear the codes for stuff that works just fine but has reached the time-to-fix, like oxygen sensors.

It's hard to find real mechanics anymore.

 

I've just bough my cf-28 for this exact purpose and I'm currently researching the best kit to buy so any recommendations are welcome. So far I have various tech info software on there that I have used before but the only diagnostic kit I have purchased is the vaux-com kit.

 

Does that software have the ability to disengage the electric parking brake on the newer VW Jettas. At the shop I used to work, we tried everything to get that brake to disengage and had absolutely no luck. had to take it to a VW dealpership so they could use their proprietary scan tool to disengage them. VW makes things so danged difficult sometimes. The Jag has had a electronic parking brake for years and that thing will disengage at the touch of a button

VW put a button on that car!!!

Dan

 

Dan -

I use this OBD2-GEN compatible interface with mine:

http://www.scantool.net/elmscan-5-usb.html

It's reliable, there is a SLEW of freeware software out there, many of which come shipped with, and the ELM327 OBD2 Decoder at the heart of it is the most popular one out there. In OBD2-GEN(eric) mode you can read/erase DTCs, monitor the basic live data, reset the computer on ANY OBD2 compliant ECM.

With software written by third parties for the ELM-327 decoder, you can do almost as much as the OEM DEALER DRBs can do; however, these packages are usually custom written for a specific make/family of vehicles, and prices range from free to hundreds of dollars.

mnem
VW follows the traditional German Philosophy for Engineering; Why make a product with 100 parts when 1000 parts can do the job just as well?

 

that's looks like a nice piece of equipment. I think I will bookmark that bad boy and buy it here in a week. Ya'll need to buy up my cf28s that i'm selling on ebay so I can afford to buy some toys

 

Sparky,

Please... Don't worry... I am a professional. I break it out usually every two months or so to make sure I have no codes and/or to work on the idle a little. Yes... Porsches (At least 1990s era) require constant adjustment to run at 100% and above. Especially when they are as modded as mine! (YES... I modded THAT too!)

This is one area where the Toughbook shines. I have sold many to techs and auto customizers. They love the idea of being able to slather grease all over it and it still works. The added benefit is that they can also (literally) throw it in the car with them to tune on the fly.

 

TB, this is what I figured and I have a spare cf18 lying around doing nothing so I figured I would put it to good use now that I got my old truck back and have another toy to constantly play around with. Definetely needs a tune up and maybe shift kit (prolly a rebuild though) cuz it kicks like a mule when it goes into 3rd

Dan

 

An interesting note;

The guys at Scantool.net now have a new USB model; it's supposed to be update-able via FLASH. They claim it has much faster data rate capacity, but for some reason, it's $20 cheaper than the ELMSCAN-5... and they're promising ANOTHER , NEWER model this month.

Interesting things afoot...

mnem
Arm yourself!

 

maybe i'm behind on things (prolly am) but I thought that the serial port would be able to move more information faster due to the more pins. I am gonna have to say that i'm wrong on this or else every computer would have mulitple serial ports instead of multiple usb ports.

Aren't they developing usb 3.0 or is that already out?

 

Dan - Think about what USB stands for; it's really just the latest revision of the rs-232 serial protocol, only much faster clockspeed (Actually, most of the technology for USB was "Reverse-engineered" from FireWire; think about that next time you see that Intel commercial.) so it's much faster.

Mnem
Are you serial?

 

I just started using a MDI unit and the ETAS Masterertech software( made by Bosch).The MDI is 20-50% faster than the Tech 2 for reflashing different modules.It is C.A.N. capable.It is now used by GM in a global format.With the Mastertech software it can be used on all cars except europan,however it works in generic OBD 2.Then software showes that it can go back to the 80's on some cars.This is done with a USB port. http://www.gmdesolutions.com/equipment/index.php?c=800&s=819
With this set up it is not a code reader,it can get in to the body,abs airbag,engine and transmisson

 

That seems like some nice software but that's a hell of a price tag

 

Yeah, and the MasterTech software is compatible with the ELM-5, at 1/4 the price... (for the hardware)

EDIT - Well, open mouth, insert foot... this is a completely different setup than what they were offering when I was looking into it. They had a BRDI ELM327 based scanner interface and software; now it looks like they have a Genisys 2 clone handheld for hardware and access to the GM diagnostic software library...

mnem
Still... a lot of money for 0s & 1s...

 

Nice. I like that alot

 

Any idea if whatever this software is would work on my OBD-I 1990 Dodge Caravan C/V (which has the 3.3l engine if you're curious)? For some reason all the OBD software I've seen on the web is all OBD-II, almost makes me want to buy a DRB-II tool. (And yes, a DRB-II is for OBD-I, you need the DRB-III for an OBD-II car. I hear they're moving to laptops with online databases soon though.)

 

Disco.... As far as I know it was built for the European cars... Porsche, VW, Audi and some early BMWs... Maybe more... I didn't read too much about it because I knew it covered my application. There was a few VERY intelligent people over on Rennlist who rewrote some of it (I'm retty sure) to make it more compatible with various models and to add more functionality. Your best bet might be to scan the various Dodge forums to see what's out there. If you don't see it... Join a forum and ask!

 

Panda -

scantool.net ALSO has a kit of OBD1 decoder hardware... scope them out, it's pretty cheap.

mnem
Null bits get no respect...

 

You should be able to get an interface and software to work with that truck, I think you will need an ELM320 interface, but being based in the UK I'm not too genned up on the Yankee stuff. Must be OBD1 though as the OBDII stuff started in 1996 in the US

 

I have this one from my days with Lexus. https://techinfo.toyota.com/t3Porta...fo/html/postlogin/postlogin.reprogramtdt.html

This one here is what I would get if I were you. They have several different models, from $100.00 to $300.00 bucks. They all have a database that will go on your computer and do freeze frame, live, etc.

http://www.iequus.com/news/news.php?id=23

 

I work at a Dealership that sells Fords, Chrysler products and GM. We have One Toughbook 18 for Fords, One for Chryslers. I use the one for Chryslers because I am the Chrylers tech. The sytem used is called WiTech

http://www.dcctools.com/en/witech/index.html

Neat tool and quicker than any of the past scan tools Chrysler has had.

 

Mustang, you are the guy I wanna talk to I have a 98 dodge truck that i'm gonna be trying to do some custom work to. what kind of software do you think works the best as far as flashing the computer and changing settings as well as reading codes