Q&A

i am interested in the PalmOS version of your software.
i would like to ask a question regarding the PalmOS version of your
software.
Does it perform ALL the functions of the Windows version? (reads all codes,
allows user to reset check engine light, etc)?

Yes, the Palm version has all the functionality of the Windows software except the newest real time graphing of sensor data.

According to the help section of my software (for Palm), if my car's ECU (96 Subaru Legacy) support air flow and car speed, it should also support the real time fuel mileage function. I have air flow and speed(plus all the other parameters: rpm, temp, intake pressure, etc.) butnot real time fuel mileage. Is that common? One last question: what exactly is "absolute intake pressure" about. I had a vacuum gauge on my last car and the intake "pressure" was of course always negative. How come it's positive on the scan tool? What is it measuring exactly? I thought positive pressure existed only on turbocharged engines.

Absolute pressure is the actual pressure in the intake manifold. Absolute pressure can never be negative, a pure vacuum is 0.0psi. Your vacuum gage measured the difference between outside air pressure and manifold pressure, negative pressure means the manifold has lower than atmospheric pressure.

You need to use the 'up-down' button to scroll to the end of the list of real time parameters to get to the mileage function

I re'cd my kit earlier this week. I used it today to troubleshoot a MIL on my Nissan truck. It worked beautifully....showed me the trouble codes, let me clear them just what the dealer would have done for $125 dollars. Thanks very much for making this kit available and affordable. It has already paid for itself.. I do have one request, do you have a version of the software compiled with a 640x480 screen. I am using a junker computer which doesn't go up to 1024, as a result I cant see the Exit and Print buttons.....
Thanks
We don't have a different screen size program available at this time, sorry. It was designed for 800x600 resolution screens. You could use the Palm software on a Palm III,V,or VII series, it's less costly than a new laptop. Thanks for your kind comments.

I installed OBDII scan on my laptop and connected it to a 1998 Jeep Wrangler. The window came up, displaying all the values as the Jeep was running, but on displayed information for that split second that I requested the scan. That is: it read 749 RPM, regardless of the engine speed. When the engine was revved to about 1500 RPM, I scanned again and it read 1500 RPM but did not change as engine came back to Idle. I would have thought that I could read the parameters continuously, as they changed, without having to rescan. Is something wrong? Also, how can I read the other outputs from the PCM, like oil pressure and fuel quantity?

For real-time data display you can double click any of the parameters in the data window and get a real time display of that value. We will be releasing soon a version (free) of the software which can read multiple parameters real time.

The other outputs you would like to see are not part of the SAE-J1979 data set and we don't support them at this time. They may be supported in the future for some vehicles as we learn how to access the data.

Got my tool today. Thanks. Before I try it out, what version of the host software should I be using? Can I get the latest released 3.0 off your web site, or should I use the disks that came with the tool?

You can use either one, they should both work. If you need data logging then 3.0 is the one to use. BTW, on the Chrysler, you will need to use the Change ECU command. Wait for this command to complete before trying to read any data or error codes. The radio button will turn black when activated then back to white when the operation is complete.

But I have a question. I'm trying to diagnose a Long Term Fuel trim - lean code, and I'm not sure what to check. I'm not sure if it's the fuel pump, fuel filter, O2 sensor or some other problem. Do you have or could you recommend any materials on interpretation of OBDII data?

A long term fuel trim problem, Lean, means the computer is calculating that the engine should be using more fuel to keep the A/F ratio at 14.7 to 1. This could be a leaky injector, fuel pressure too high or bad O2 sensor. Another possibility is a sensor, MAF or MAP which is not performing correctly and making the ECU 'think' it's using too much fuel.

Thanks for replying back. I tried both versions of the software. I had the same results with both. I have checked to make sure that the serial port is working on the laptop (which it is) and as I stated previously have even borrowed a laptop from a friend and I had the same results.

The best way to test the connection is with Hyperterm. Set the parameters to 19200,n,8,1 and connect using the Com port. You should get a string of PIPIPIPI with the unit plugged into the vehicle and the key on the OFF position. If the key is in the 'ON' position then you should see a continuing string of "SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS".

Just a quick question. I am using the universal OBDscan with a ford Windsor, lots of codes to scan. I always get an accurate code read, and can reset the codes. When trying to read the oxygen sensors I get random data at times. I also see bad data for RPM, etc. It seems like a whole frame gets out of sync and stays that way until it resyncs. I also downloaded the logging version, and have logged the data to a file. Same thing shows up in the logged data, leading me to think it is really being read wrong, not just displayed. I have attached the file. I have run the software on a lap top and my desk top machine with a 50 ft serial cable. I don't think it is noise, but it could be. Frequency of bad reads is about 1 in 4 or 5. Often enough that the logged data is not too useful.I have taken the logged files into excel and graphed the data, and if I eliminate the bad frames they look somewhat ok. I also wonder if I am really reading data fast enough to make sense out of the upstream O2 sensors. I read somewhere that they have a time constant of 10s of millisecond, and a cycle frequency of about 100 msec. The form I am seeing may really be aliasing due to the sampling rate. Any way to get a faster stream of data out?

I do really like the idea of a cost effective tool that puts trouble shooting back in the hands of people who are capable of understanding their cars. It is actually easier to trouble shoot the Windsor than it was my earlier cars. Thanks for the tool and the upgrades. I have spread the word about it to my friends that work on cars. Many had been shying away from newer cars for fear of being fenced out of the repair side.

It looks like you were in 'Normal' as opposed to 'Hyper'. You should be in 'Hyper' for faster sampling.

Do you have the latest upgrade in firmware? If you bought your unit after 8/15/01 then you do. I have been plotting O2 sensor data with our new software ( see www.obdscan.net/software.htm) and the data rate on Fords seems to be sufficient.

Also try extending the OBD-II bus, it's more tolerant of noise than the RS-232. Plug the 50ft cable into the OBD-II cable we supply and locate the converter box next to your computer. This may work better.

I have the "everything" unit. Marked as 3 checkmarks for ISO VPW and PWM. Not sure if the problem is my Visor's serial cable. Works fine from a laptop. But the little "rotating" bit never rotates on the palm version on my floppies and rotates forever on the demo version. Just want to rule out the software so I can figure out if its the cable.

I have attached the latest software. The spinning indicator means that serial data from the converter is being received by the Palm computer. If the indicator is not spinning then I would suspect a cable problem. If you are using a serial Hot sync cable then you need a M-M Null Modem Adapter, if you are using a modem cable then no adapter is required. If using the Handspring brand cable it won't work because that cable requires a DTR signal to power the RS-232 circuit in the connector. We usually recommend the Mark Space DCH-M9 cable from www.markspace.com.

I'm considering the purchase of the Universal kit, to use on my 2002 Subaru Impreza WRX. I have read posts on the I-Club Forums (www.i-club.com) ,dated back in August of this year that people were having trouble with the unit making a connection with the car's ECM(not the port itself). Some complained of having to connect, remove and then re-connect the plug to the OBD II port as many as eight times to get the unit to communicate. Has this problem been addressed in the currently shipping unit?

Yes, that problem was fixed months ago. We had a problem with the early version of our new Universal tool firmware that caused a problem with the WRX computer. We have sold many of the revised units to WRX owners with no problems reported since September 2001.

FYI - the problem was in the ISO initialization sequence which seems to be quite tricky since the timing specs are very loose. Yes, our Windows software is compatible with XP and likewise our Palm software is upward compatible with 3.0 and higher.

Help (if you can). I have been fighting the P0172 and P0175 error codes for months...I have change EGR valve and still have it. Fuel Economy is bad due to running rich - '97 1500 4X4 Chevy Truck...Any advice on how to proceed -

Thanks

PS - like your software just can't get the answer on what to change to fix problem

Jim

Jim

I'm not a certified mechanic, but here is my 2 cents. Look at the O2 sensor. The O2 sensor is what regulates the AIR/FUEL mixture ratio. If the O2 sensors are good, then a leaking fuel injector could be the problem. The injectors can be tested by seeing if fuel rail pressure drops fast after shutting off the engine.

Dan

Subject: Scan Software

I have had one of your universal scan tools for close to a year and it has worked out great on everything I have used it for. I currently have a Dodge Cummins Diesel and was needing to find out if the 3.23 software supports this or if I need to get the actual scan tool updated. I have downloaded the 3.23 and installed it but not sure if this is all I need. Any informaion is appritiated.
Thanks, Tom

Tom

It should work on the Cummins Diesel with no problem. When scanning a Dodge Cummins, you will get a message telling you to change ECU, click the Change ECU button then you can read the data.

Dan

Hello,
I am interested in purchasing the OBDScan package. My requirements are as follows, and I am looking for advice on what exactly I need. I am based in the UK and own a UK-spec 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 (993 model) and a 1996 Carrera RS (993 model) I have a laptop running Windows XP and a Palm m515
Given the above what exactly do I need to order in order to hook up both
the Palm and Laptop to the both 911's, and how much will it cost.
Many thanks
Dulan

Dulan
The EOBD did not become a requirement until 2000, so your Porsche vehicles
may not support all the OBD-II data. That being said, you would need the
OBDScan Palm Package - with Palm software and Modem cable for the m515. It
is $185 plus shipping to the UK. If you tell me how you would like it
shipped I will give you a total cost.
Sincerely
Dan Harrison