Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) OBD Diagnositc Software for Laptops

[grimesja]

I know I have seen this before, but I cannot find it on a search. What OBD II software brand do you guys recommend for use with my laptop for troubleshooting the Dodge Cummins?

 

[BDahm]

if you can get your hands on Cummins insite, usually very expensive for the subscription, but if you know somebody with it, plus they have to have the flat 3 plug in and inline adapter. Very helpful and user friendly.

 

[FourBarR]

I have alex peper software for my laptop. -- email address removed -- it has a lot more than you will ever need or use . hope this helps.

 

[HGreen]

I don't have the laptop version but I do have the Palm verison of Auterra's ODB software. I have downloaded the sample version and it does everything the Palm version does and more. Auterra will pull codes, display code meaning, show sensors and rail pressure. Check it out. at www.auterra.com.

 

[grimesja]

Thanks guys,



My mechanical engineer and I are researching both platforms today. Thanks for your help.



V/R

John

 

[grimesja]

Will either of these programs allow you to kill a cylinder to troubleshoot the injectors?



V/R

John

 

[BDahm]

I know insite will as well as a snap on solus scanner, most likely the others will

 

[ALepley]

I work at a diesel shop and we have cummins insite program for the isx engines. What plug do you need and where do you plug it in? Do you plug in at the obd2 port?

 

[grimesja]

I am looking for good software at a decent price for my laptop. It looks like the OBD-2 connection would be the best. Doesn't the INSITE require a monthly fee to use and I think you have to be a reapir shop to get it.



Right now I am really open to suggestions. I have some electrical issues, which I am trying to resolve. I have been getting shocked from some of the ground wires...



V/R

John

 

[JLandry]

I work at a diesel shop and we have cummins insite program for the isx engines. What plug do you need and where do you plug it in? Do you plug in at the obd2 port?

ALepley,

This post is meant for anyone wondering what it takes to use Cummins Insite on a Chrysler truck with an ISB engine. Obviously you already have access to the most of this hardware and the software, so likely you'd only need one adapter cable...

To connect the Cummins Insite software (installed on a laptop) to your truck, besides the software itself (version 7. 3 is the latest) and a license code, you'll also need a Cummins Inline datalink adapter (either models II, 4, or 5), and all the appropriate cables to connect the datalink adapter to both the laptop and the vehicle connector.

The Cummins Inline 5 datalink adapter (newest) can connect directly to a USB port on a laptop but earlier models will only connect to a DB9 serial port on a laptop. It's worth noting that many newer non-business laptops lack a DB9 serial port (both my newer MacBook Pro and 3 year old Asus A8J laptops lack one), so in that case you'd also need a USB to serial port adapter.

The vehicle communications port used for Insite is on the driver's side of the engine near the ECM. Prior to engine serial number 56744083 this port is a triangular shaped Duetsch 3-pin connector. Later engine serial numbers use a common 3-pin Weatherpack connector. For engines with serial number 56744083 or later, you'll need Cummins adapter cable part number 3163642 (3-pin Weatherpak to 3-pin Duetsch). This cable can be fabricated by buying the appropriate components online and assembling it yourself as Cummins will want your first born child for it (if they even still sell it).

You'll also need Cummins cable number 3165141 to connect between the engine communications port (directly on engine serial numbers below 56744083, or using Cummins adapter cable part number 3163642 on later engine serial numbers) and the Inline datalink adapter.

Lastly, you'll need either a DB9F to DB9M serial cable, or a common USB extension cable, to go between the Cummins Inline datalink adapter and the laptop.

After all that, then yes, you can log ECM and VP44 data (including fuel temperature), kill injectors ONE at a time, and temporarily change engine rpm. On the other hand, a Chrysler DRBIII scan tool is self-contained, can do just about everything Insite can do for our trucks and so MUCH more, such as log data on all vehicle systems, kill more than one injector at a time, reflash and reprogram onboad computers, and run diagnostic tests on not only the engine but other powertrain, chassis, and brake systems as well. For a Chrysler truck, personally I find the DRBIII scan simpler and more useful overall.

Regards,

John L.

 

[grimesja]

John L. ,





Have you tried using the www.auterra.com or peper software? The DRBIII is out of most of our price range for home use.



V/R

John G.

 

[JLandry]

John L. ,





Have you tried using the www.auterra.com or peper software? The DRBIII is out of most of our price range for home use.



V/R

John G.

John G. ,



In the past I considered buying one of those, but decided not to.



Instead I bought a ScanGauge II which I keep in my truck at all times. It displays pretty much the same data as an ODBII to PC based solution, but without a cool software display or data logging capabilities. The nice thing about the ScanGauge though is it's easy to read and operate while driving... unlike the PC solution.



For hard-core trouble shooting I like using a DBRIII the best. There are piles of them selling on eBay these days with all of the dealerships closing. They're still not cheap though, but they have no equal in terms of what they do.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[ALepley]

Yeah we have the inline 5 adapter that hooks to the usb port. The adapters we have are j1939 that are used to plug into 9400 internationals or international prostars. I will have to look at see where the communication port on my engine. Thanks for all the great info.

 

[ALepley]

I finally had the chance to order the cable for my truck and try it with insite at work. Insite said it didnt recognize my engine and not compatible with this program. My work has version 4. 0. 3. Is there a specific upgrade or version that only works with the 5. 9 isb. Thanks in advanced.

 

[JLandry]

I finally had the chance to order the cable for my truck and try it with insite at work. Insite said it didnt recognize my engine and not compatible with this program. My work has version 4. 0. 3. Is there a specific upgrade or version that only works with the 5. 9 isb. Thanks in advanced.

Only Insite version 6. 5. 2 or later will work. The current version is 7. 3



Best regards,



John L.

 

[lsenus]

I was looking at the following products:
AutoEnginuity® - OBD2 Scan Tool - Professional PC and PDA Diagnostics or AutoTap - OBDII Diagnostic Scanner The AutoEnginuity specifically listed VP44 sensor information including the fuel temp.

Has anyone used either of these products? If so, what were the good/bad features of each?

 

[Bob Cochran]

Has anybody tried this one? Cannot beat the price if it works at all like described. OBDCOM Diagnostic Systems for ALL vehicles