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        General >> OBD Advice >> Getting started
        
(Message started by: Jonnycab on Sep 19^th, 2010, 4:43am)

Title: Getting started
Post by Jonnycab on Sep 19^th, 2010, 4:43am

Bought a Compaq mini 110 notebook with the (good old reliable) home version of XP installed a few months back.... & was recently thinking to use it to read OBD2, not just from the Scorp, but from any car that is OBD2 compliant.
My old handheld scanner is okay, but really doesn't tell you alot, apart from a fault code.

I suppose I'm going to need different software for different vehicles, but can anyone advise what lead to use for all applications ? :)

I'm new to this, so am a bit clueless....please be gentle ;D

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by Tompion on Sep 19^th, 2010, 12:23pm

If you’re talking about the Alex Peper lead have a look here click on products & scroll down to Package Features:
http://www.obd-2.com/

I know you want a lead for all cars, but just read through the variations of lead & you’ll get an idea of what it’s about & what you need to look out for even if you’re not buying from here.

With the basic lead you buy it with your choice of protocol
“Your choice of one of three possible OBDII gateway networks:
ISO - for most cars: European, Asian, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ford and General Motors
VPW - for General Motors, Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Toyota and Isuzu
PWM - for Ford”

So you can go for a basic lead or one that combines 2 or more protocols
As you might expect the dearest lead covers the most cars.

If you want to read ABS in theory you can get away with a double combo but it really isn’t worth risking as a lot of people say they can’t get it to work.
The triple combo is the safest bet for ABS (unless you’re going for the most expensive Trican).

I use the Tricom.
I’ve not tried the Trican so can’t comment on that.

If you don’t have a serial port & have to use USB it would seem to be a good idea to order the USB adaptor at the same time.
In theory you shouldn’t need to use their adaptor, in practice it seems to be less troublesome.

You don’t need different software for different vehicles (as long as you’ve downloaded the software for all). However if you want to tweak the software for individual vehicles you can install as many separate instances of the software as you like in separate folders with separate shortcuts. So for instance I have mine set up for only PWM as that’s all you need for a Scorp (even though the ABS is ISO). That stops the software wasting time searching for other protocals.

If you’re at the Kent meet I can lend you a basic PWM lead to have a play with.

Dave

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by Tompion on Sep 19^th, 2010, 12:51pm

You can download the software and try it out with some sample scans on your computer, but it will only connect to the car with a lead bought from them.

Software version 1.51 is the last stable version for the Scorpio.

I thought version 1.63 had resolved the issues as it was working fine, until I found it would not clear the ABS codes for me.

To download Ver 1.51 with all the files add /ve151all.exe
to the site address http://www.obd-2.com/

Dave

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by Jonnycab on Sep 19^th, 2010, 1:18pm

Thanks for the info Dave ;)

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by Pegasus on Sep 21^st, 2010, 12:59pm

I've got the Tricom lead as well. Should access most OBD-2 loaded cars.

However, when I tried to access brother's 2003 BMW it wouldn't connect - Alex confirmed that it should but no amount of tweaking worked. When bro took it to my v reliable independant garage their electronics guy said that earlier (?) BMWs with OBD weren't fully compliant as they didn't want just anyone interogating their own cars (cheek). The engineer had a set of dongles that allowed him to connect to any car - before you get excited this cost him £2000.

If you're at the Kent meet we can have a chat.

Cheers

Paul