Newer cars of course have a computer in them that dealerships can hook up another computer or laptop with the right software to them to find out what is wrong with the car. What are these called? I was hoping I could buy the connector for my car and the software and just hook up my laptop to get an idea of what is going on instead of paying someone else to do it. Would I be able to buy one that could hook up to a laptop? I was looking around egay to see if I could stumble upon one but I am missing what keyword to use.
YACT: Car computer diagnostics
- Thread starter BaDaBooM
- Start date
Well, after searching for autotap, I figured out what you meant..
duh. I knew my question was going to be ignorant.what year and make is your car?
If it has OBD2 it is a "universal"
On Board Diagnostic gen 2
and the scanner you can buy
will also fit many other cars.
Snap On makes one,they are not really cheap tho.
If it has OBD2 it is a "universal"
On Board Diagnostic gen 2
and the scanner you can buy
will also fit many other cars.
Snap On makes one,they are not really cheap tho.
Wow, looking at some sites now. Looks like you can do some pretty cool stuff with it. I think I would just want the cable and software. Don't see any reason for a scanner if you have a laptop.
The dealership's scanner is much more advanced than an OBD II. They are also very expensive. My dealership's chrysler scanner was like $7k.
Kool it has OBD2,
at my local garage they scanned my G/F car,and only charged me $40
to tell me what the "Check Engine" code was,And reset/erase the code.
http://buy1.snapon.com/product...SC310A&dir=catalog
Stock Number EESC310B
Name COMPLETE SOLUS ASSY W/4.4
Price** $3,495.00
ummm... Ok, I guess I don't need what the actual dealerships have, heheh. But a simpler version where I can hook my laptop up to it would be nice to use. Since my car has OBD2 on it, I could just buy a cable and software for my laptop, right?
All cars today have OBD-II diagnostics as well as proprietary manufacturer diagnostics. The OBD-II diagnostics are mandated by federal law - to sell a car in this country you need to make emmissions related error codes available to any repair shop (and individual) that has a Generic OBD-II scan tool. These can run anywhere from $100 to several thousand depending on features. You can buy them at most parts stores.
Now, those just cover general engine, trans and a smattering of other system's diagnostics. To really be able to look at the various subsystems data streams (fully) and have bidirectional control (meaning actuating devices, or flash programming a PROM), you need the proprietary scan tool. These can get very expensive, and in some cases impossible to obtain.
For Ford, that tool is calledl the NGS Star tester manufactured by Hickock. I think they're around $3000.00.
This is what they use at the dealership.
For GM, the tool is called the Tech II manufactured by Vetronix - $3500.00.
Chrysler - DRB-II, or the new Star Scan (I believe) - Around $6500.00.
Honda, Mitsubishi, a smattering of other Asian cars, (possibly Mazda) - the Mastertech manufactured by Vetronix.
European cars are a whole other problem. Most of them are not being forthcoming with their codes. The Mercedes, Porshe or BMW testers go about 15K and good luck getting one even if you have the cash.
VW uses a tool called a VAG. Ross-Tech on the web makes a software based version for next to nothing that works very well.
Saab uses a different cartridge in GM's Tech II.
Volvo has it's own tester - theVedis I think...
There are a bunch of others I'm forgetting.
Also, there are some generic scan tools that offer some of the functionality of several of those factory scan tools (but not all of them). The OTC Genisys, Snap On MT2500, Mastertech etc...
Anyway, how are you going to decipher those codes when you get them? For example, a code for an O2 sensor that is out of range may not necessarily be a faulty O2 sensor - there could be something else causing it. The code only points you in the right direction. The scan tool certainly isn't going to tell you how to diag the problem. Combining the codes with various data values from the vehicle is used with flowcharts that techs use to solve problems. And getting THAT information in some cases can be difficult or expensive too.
Excuse my rambling...
Now, those just cover general engine, trans and a smattering of other system's diagnostics. To really be able to look at the various subsystems data streams (fully) and have bidirectional control (meaning actuating devices, or flash programming a PROM), you need the proprietary scan tool. These can get very expensive, and in some cases impossible to obtain.
For Ford, that tool is calledl the NGS Star tester manufactured by Hickock. I think they're around $3000.00.
This is what they use at the dealership.
For GM, the tool is called the Tech II manufactured by Vetronix - $3500.00.
Chrysler - DRB-II, or the new Star Scan (I believe) - Around $6500.00.
Honda, Mitsubishi, a smattering of other Asian cars, (possibly Mazda) - the Mastertech manufactured by Vetronix.
European cars are a whole other problem. Most of them are not being forthcoming with their codes. The Mercedes, Porshe or BMW testers go about 15K and good luck getting one even if you have the cash.
VW uses a tool called a VAG. Ross-Tech on the web makes a software based version for next to nothing that works very well.
Saab uses a different cartridge in GM's Tech II.
Volvo has it's own tester - theVedis I think...
There are a bunch of others I'm forgetting.
Also, there are some generic scan tools that offer some of the functionality of several of those factory scan tools (but not all of them). The OTC Genisys, Snap On MT2500, Mastertech etc...
Anyway, how are you going to decipher those codes when you get them? For example, a code for an O2 sensor that is out of range may not necessarily be a faulty O2 sensor - there could be something else causing it. The code only points you in the right direction. The scan tool certainly isn't going to tell you how to diag the problem. Combining the codes with various data values from the vehicle is used with flowcharts that techs use to solve problems. And getting THAT information in some cases can be difficult or expensive too.
Excuse my rambling...
Yeah. They have these chips that hook up to the back of your car's computer. You can leave them in and they record driving information as well as trouble codes. You can take the chip off and d/l the info to your PC. I forget the name though.
That was some great info Cfster. For my purposes I am sure a standard OBD2 tool will work. I'm not that car savy as you may have guess but I know people who are and I figured I could just bring it with me when I bring my car over to them. So instead of them just saying, "sorry, you have to have a shop hook it up to see what's wrong" then they could actually get some info off the computer. I know my mom's fiancee worked at a dealership doing that kind of thing so he would know what to do with that information.
Yep, $150.00 will buy you the scanner, but since they'll check it for free, it's probably not worth it.
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