I recently got a laptop and I wanted to know if there was any company that sells a program so I can scan codes and read sensors. Pretty everything the tech 2 can do?

http://www.autotap.com/products.html

if u have any electronic skills i can show u how to make one for less than $40

^^ do tell!!

I'm listening

http://www.elmelectronics.com/ Just make sure u know what your doing.. with the vpw and iso stuff.. oh.. and use scantool.net as a reference. I have this unit, and it works wonders for a garage mechanic..

Is it the same thing that scantool.com has just alittle more and I do not have to mess with the iso & vpw? Do I get the program from scantool.com?

Well...
#1... Yes, it is the same as the scantool interface... except u can make it cheeper.
#2... Yes you still will have to mess with vpw and iso.. but thats not a problem.. buy a chip of each at elmelectronics, then either switch the chips, or intergrate both into 1 pcb.
#3.. You can... You can run any program that uses obd2.. scantool is good.. i would recommend digimoto. But i run my own software so its really personal preference.


You can make them do more.. but this is just about as basic as it gets, and it will get everything done that u want it too.

According to scantool.com I only need the VPW for GM right. If I buy the chips from elmeectronics then I would also have to buy the circuit cards & crystals & put everything together. Then buy the two different cables, does that equal the price of the one from scantool

I have posted this somewhere else on here before, but this will be a little more updated. The notes are mine, and they are a little rough. Some of the links might be old by now as well, but if you just type in the main body of the link you'll probably find the home page.


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ELM scan
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This link is to the Canadian outlet. This is the low budget one, basically your paying for the hardware and getting the software for free.

Features: Appears you can view the sensors live, freeze frame and storage are still on the way.

Drawbacks: Very primative, might be too cheap.

Cost: US$100.00 +/-

Link: http://www.innovationhouse.com/products/obd2_personal_scan_tools.html

Minimum System Requirements
Windows 95/98/NT/2000/Me/XP 486DX 25MHz Processor or higher
4MB RAM, 640 x 480 display with DirectX7
Serial port, The software will also run on DOS.

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AutoEnginuity Professional OBD2 Automotive Scan Tool
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This is the "professional" product.

Features: Appears to have most of the features, diagnostic trouble codes, reset your malfunction indicator light, read and clear Freeze Frame data, access inspection/maintenance system test results, view live sensors in grid, graph and dashtop format and perform unlimited data logging. There is a video available on the link. More features ei: enhanced sensors are extra. Free upgrades.

Drawbacks: Cost. Does not seem to be popular.

Cost: US$225.95

Link: http://www.innovationhouse.com/products/obd2_professional_scan_tools.html

Minimum System Requirements
Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT / 2000 / XP operating system
2 Mb of free drive space, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM 32 Mb of memory.

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ProScan
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Also uses the ELM based interface. Aimed at amuteur sport hobbists.

Features:

Reads code, re-sets light, VPW interface with a rugged enclosure, OBD-II and serial cables, and the long-awaited Proscan v2.0 software, access inspection/maintenance system test results, live sensor reading & record, graph plot 4 sensors @ one time, does 1/4 mile and dynameter etc.

Drawbacks: Never before heard of this.

Cost: US$155.99 for above kit
(note: all parts including software can be bought separately. Interface for different vechicles is US$90.00 - software is 39.99)

Link:
http://www.myscantool.com/index.html


System Requirements

Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows XP, or Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 6a.
10MB of available hard disk space, 64MB of RAM

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ADVANCED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.
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This must be the site for the utra-professional. It is written in English but.....i didn't understand.

Features: Who knows? There is a good selection of OBDII cables etc. for reasonable prices.

Drawbacks: Check out the prices.

Link:
http://www.avt-hq.com/wwwhome.htm


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AutoTap for Windows Starter Kit
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This is one of the more popular softwares.

Features: reads code,clear check engine light, logging and playback, DTC and freezframe, advanced layout of gauges/tables/graphs on one screen, save the layouts, quick 40times/s read speed. Installation video shows some features. 5yr warranty.

Drawbacks: only 38 sensors with the beginner/generic package - and 8 of them are O2 related.

Cost: US$179.95
(enhanced upgrade - US$99.95)

Link:
http://www.autotap.com/autotap_windows_products.html

System Requirements
Recommend Pentium 233Mhz or better (or equivalent AMD processor)
Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP, 50 Meg of free hard drive space, 32 Meg RAM, CD-Rom Drive (Only used for installation), USB Port

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OBDII Automotive Scan Tool and Virtual Dashboard
(www.obd-2.com)
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Also popular on some sites.

Features: reads & resets codes, enhanced level sensor readings, adjustable dashboard displays, free upgrades, 32 day money back, 2yr warrenty

Drawbacks: may not be fast

Price: US$122.00 - single network (ei: either GM, Ford, Chrylster etc.)
Price: US$142.00 - any two
Price: US$162.00 - any three
All prices include everything: software(current download), connector, cable, tax, SAE, ETI and vehicle license fees.
32 day moneyback
2 year warrentee


Link: http://www.obd-2.com/

Use Windows 3.1, 95, 98, BOB, ME, 2K, XP computer, 386 or higher, optimized for low cost laptops.

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PCMSCAN
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PCMSCAN supports the following OBD-II interface adapters:
Autotap AT1, AT2, AT3, AT123 V2.x
VIA LDV100, LDV200, LDV300, LDV123
Multiplex Engineering T16
ElmScan family (V2.x)

Features: reads codes, viewing, charting, logging and playback configurable gauges and graphing (seems to rival if not outdo AutoTap for graphics) Site doesn't have much as it has not been conpleted yet, but you can download a evaluation version, which I did just for fun (and its blowing me away).

Cost: special - $59.95 software only
30 day money back

link: http://www.palmerperformance.com/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=3&MMN_position=5:5

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scantool forum
----------------------------------------------------


http://www.scantool.net/forum/index.php

An entire forum dedicated just to diagnostic software scanning.


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Digimoto
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Seemed geared towards preformance, not diagonstics

-runs on elmscan (included)

Features: (seven modes) real time sensor graphs, trouble codes & clearing, view all sensors, 1/4 mile times etc., "dynameter", runs tests, logs data

Drawbacks: supports only 2 charts at one time, can you play back logged data?

Cost: $119 + $89 for ea. add'tl interface (or $74 w/out inclosure)
30 day money back & free upgrades

System Requirements:

Windows based (Win98/ME/2000/XP). The system may run on Win95 computers, not supported. If your computer does not have a Serial port, you may also require a USB to Serial adaptor. We sell these from our website for $24/each


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Harrison R&D
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Features: All 4 major interfaces (GM,Ford,Chrysler,Imports) in one price, View and record 6 sensors, graphing - single data,

Drawbacks: unlike other interfaces, this interface would be unique to only this product. Product seems a little simple. Data logging is limited and sample display is limited to one item on the screen.

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html


Cost: $167.00 + $19.00 = $186.00
1 year warrantee

System Requirements:

Windows 95, a 66Mhz 486 and 5 meg free disk space, and 800x600 display