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Check Out the OBD II Pro Plus Model
Will I have to buy a separate version of AutoEnginuity's ScanTool
for each of the three standard vehicle interfaces (Ford, GM, Chrysler/Asian/European)?
No. AutoEnginuity's scan tool includes all three vehicle interfaces in a single
compact connector. This is a cost savings of hundreds of dollars over the competitors'
units. Will I have to buy updates every year to keep
the ScanTool current? No. Our OBDII connector was
designed on an electrical interface standard that hasn't changed in years. With
the advent of new interfaces like CAN, we understand that changes may be required
and the unit is field updatable. The software is updated every quarter
for any new features that vehicle manufacturers implement and best of all it's
free. I’m not a professional mechanic, even
with AutoEnginuity's scan tool, will I have to take my car to an authorized service
center for repairs? That depends on your skill set
and your vehicle’s problem. The whole point of our product is to help you
figure out what service, if any, your vehicle requires. Whether you are a skilled
technician or a Do-It-Yourselfer, AutoEnginuity’s scan tool offers you unparalleled
access to your vehicle’s engine computer so that you can examine system
test results and live sensor data. What’s more, our User Guide is packed
with information that will help you understand engine management and how to use
our tool to diagnose the problem. If you don't have the tools or mechanical skills
to perform the work, then at least you'll be armed with the knowledge of what
the problem really is. In those cases where the Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon indicator is illuminated for something as trivial as a loose gas cap, you
can prevent the costly and time-consuming trip to an authorized service center
without ever turning a wrench. Is there enough information
in the generic OBDII interface to service my vehicle?
Yes. The generic OBDII interface supports sensors that can tell you if something
is wrong with your vehicle. If your vehicle is equipped with OBDII, then the emission-related
sensors are directly affecting your vehicle’s performance. If any of those
sensors detect a malfunction your vehicle will perform badly or can breakdown.
For the most part, the sensors used by the generic OBDII interface are those that
are required for even the most complex servicing. If your vehicle supports an
OBDII enhanced interface (GM, Ford, Chrysler, Mazda, and Toyota), then you can
also purchase the optional expansion modules, which support more sensors and fault
codes. The enhanced support gives you even more information with which to diagnose
your vehicle. Why not buy a cheap tool to clear the
Check Engine/Service Engine Soon indicator or wait for it to go away?
The Check Engine/Service Engine Soon indicator is connected to the engine computer,
which constantly senses for faults. Even if you did reset the Check Engine/Service
Engine Soon indicator, or wait for the computer to stop sensing the fault, something
is wrong. It's unwise to pretend that the fault didn't happen. A potentially serious
engine-related issue could strand you on the side of the road and/or cost you
a lot more money, because you ignored it or waited until it was too late to service
the vehicle. You need the peace of mind that your vehicle is in top operating
condition. Even if the problem is trivial, it could affect your vehicle’s
performance—and that’s costing you money. What's
the difference between PDA and PC versions? The PC
version has a more extensive user-interface. The feature set is almost identical
between the platforms with minor exceptions. First, enhanced Chrysler is not available
for the PDAs at this time. The current version of the Palm doesn't support GM
Light Truck body. Otherwise, they are feature complete with PC version. Want both
the compact size of a PDA and the power of a PC? Get the Panasonic ToughBook laptop
with a 8" or 12" touch-screen. What would be the differences
between RS-232C serial and USB versions of the OBDII connector?
First, the vehicle bus is the limiter, so USB will not be faster then
RS-232C serial. The advantages of RS-232C serial is it can have cable lengths
up to 100ft whereas USB can't without powered repeaters. Also, RS-232C serial
is required for Dual Mode (PC/PDA) connectors. (Since almost all PDAs can't be
a host for USB devices.) USB does have the advantage of Plug-n-Play without device
drivers and no port configurations necessary for operation. What
if my computer doesn't have an RS-232C (9-pin) serial/COM port?
Not all newer computers have the traditional 9-pin serial connector; instead
they are being equipped with USB. If your computing device has USB only, then
you will need a USB-to-Serial adapter. A USB-to-Serial adapter simply connects
to your USB port and gives you a fully functional traditional 9-pin serial connector.
AutoEnginuity has verified our product with dozens of USB-to-Serial adaptors (IO
Gear, Prolific, Belkin, etc.). This adaptor can also be purchased from us. Note:
Not all USB-to-Serial adaptors are made equal. We have tried some based on the
FDTI chipset (Cables Unlimited) and Radio Shack that perform extremely
poorly. We highly recommend getting any of the above or anything based
on the Prolific chipset. I have an IBM ThinkPad
with a serial/COM port. Why doesn't the software connect to the vehicle?
The IBM ThinkPad also has a IrDA port that can collide with your serial/COM
port. The best way to solve this problem is to disable the IrDA port. This can
be done in the Device Manager (varies per operating system version). While you're
there, verify that the serial/COM port is enabled. When asked, reboot the PC.
This will re-enable the serial/COM port. After the computer reboots, return to
the Device Manager and determine which port number the serial/COM is now on. (This
can change when you re-boot.) Finally, restart ScanTool and select the serial/COM
port. I have an HP 1910 Pocket PC. Why can't I find
a serial cable? The HP 1910 Pocket PC doesn't have
a serial cable available for it. Our OBDII connector will not work with this Pocket
PC device. How do I know if my vehicle is OBDII/EOBD
compliant? If your passenger vehicle or light truck
was manufactured for sale in the U.S., with the model year of 1996 and newer (and
rarely some 1994 and 1995 vehicles), you will have the OBDII interface. EOBD vehicles
follow the same rules except new gasoline models became complaint in 2000 and
existing models became compliant in 2001. EOBD diesel vehicles start with the
2004 model years. You can also check in the engine compartment for an emissions
sticker that will verify your vehicle's compliance. For vehicle's 1994 and
1995, CARB has provided this list: CARB_OBDII_Compliance.pdf What
OBDII/EOBD vehicles does the ScanTool or SpeedTracer not work with?
We will connect to the Duramax, Cummins, and Powerstroke diesel vehicles; however,
because their gross vehicle weight exceeds the maximum requirements of the OBDII
standard, they are not OBDII compliant and a very limited amount of data and sensors
will report with generic OBDII. However, with the enhanced Ford, GM, or Chrysler
interfaces, the proprietary powertrain and other systems sensors are available.
What is CAN? CAN is
short for Controller Area Network. It will be the required electrical interface
for all vehicles beginning in the model year of 2008. Some vendors began using
CAN exclusively in the model year of 2004 (Ford, Jaguar, and Mazda). While other
manufacturers implemented it selectively in their vehicles beginning in the 2004
model year (Mercedes, Porsche, SAAB, and Toyota for example). The CAN option is
a new daughter board that fits inside our existing OBDII connector design. Adding
the CAN option requires the OBDII connector to be returned to us so that we can
update a ROM and insert the daughter board. Once this is done it can be updated
in the field. If I buy the CAN hardware option, will
I still be able to connect to the older OBDII protocols?
Yes, CAN is an additional protocol. You will then have the ability to operate
all four electrical protocols in a single compact connector. How
can I tell if the unit I purchased has CAN installed in my OBDII connector?
All USB OBDII connectors are pre-built with CAN. The RS-232C version have will
have eight pins for CAN-enabled version; and six for the non-CAN. What
is the wireless option? With the popularity of the
Bluetooth wireless technology appearing in PDAs and laptops, we decided to work
with AirCable to provide this cabless solution to our connectors. Bluetooth has
a range of 33 feet and is easier to use than other wireless technologies. Because
Bluetooth is a "cable replacement" technology, it doesn't require sophisticated
network protocols and complex handshaking. This means its installation and operation
are much simpler than other wireless technologies. If you buy the Bluetooth solution
when you buy your OBDII connector we will insert a power supply inside the OBDII
connector to drive the Bluetooth transceiver. Without this power supply, you'll
be required to externally power the Bluetooth transceiver. Our Bluetooth transceivers
are also modified to specifically work in our communications environment so that
you don't have to set anything up. The Bluetooth transceiver is a small module
that then attaches to the end of our OBDII connector instead of the normal serial
cable. By not building the Bluetooth module into our OBDII connector, you can
still use the standard serial cable for those times that your computing device
is not Bluetooth-enabled. Why not use 802.11x for wireless?
802.11x is expensive and complex. Too complex for something as simple as replacing
a cable. Bluetooth has a protocol purely for serial cable replacement making its
use the right choice. I never see the "OBDII Connector
Found" message. What am I doing wrong? In most cases,
this is caused by a serial port not operating correctly or there is no power on
the vehicle's DLC. Always check that your serial port is not already being used
and set to the correct baud rate or faster. (We recommend 115.2k; however, 19.2K
is the minimum.) Lastly, check pins 16 (V) and 4 or 5 (GND) for ~12V. If you find
no voltage, check the vehicle's DLC fuse. For most Fords and GM vehicles, check
the Cigarette Lighter fuse. For most Dodge trucks, check the radio fuse.
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