OBDII : http://www.autoenginuity.com

[KatDiesel]

Anyone have any experience with this software? I am bored with the Alex Pepper software. I thought I might try this one out... ...

http://www.autoenginuity.com

 

[jcarey]

No experience, but it's the one I'm leaning toward: run on PC or PDA (not Palm). Price for both is cheaper than what others charge. No enhanced data for Chrylser and that's the only reason I'm holding off. Been meaning to send them an e-mail and ask when they plan to add the Chrysler enhanced.



Jim

 

[KatDiesel]

I'm interested in if the "Speedtracer" portion will work with our trucks or not, and if it does is it anywhere close to accuarate. For now I am on the "fence".

 

[RichK]

This looks most interesting. I wonder if it would be worth getting for the 96 Dodge CTD? Seems like we would need the extended package that's yet available.



Rich

 

[jcarey]

KatDiesel, I'm not sure, but I think the SpeedTracer would work for our vehicles because you can either select/modify an existing vehicle profile or define a new profile for your own vehicle. I don't have any idea of what's involved in that, though, or whether we could define a profile to accurately reflect out vehicles. If we could, that's a great FREEBIE.

From their site:

"SpeedTracer makes inputting your vehicle profile easy because it has most vehicle profiles built in. If your vehicle's profile is listed, simply select it and begin your performance analysis. In case you have special modifications to your vehicle, you can change your vehicle profile to take those into account too. You can also create and modify vehicle profiles to suit your needs. "



RichK, I don't know what level of OBDII support was impelmented for a '96, but, again, according to their site:

"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. "



The sensors I saw that they support (now with a 2005 sensor list) that would be of interest to us are: BARO, coolant temp, RPM, fuel rail pressure (I like that), fuel pressure (I like that, too), MAP, and speed.



Are there any other sensors that we might want to look at, especially from a standpoint of seeing how mods are affecting our engine/trans?



It also comes with all three vehicle interfaces.



Another nice ability is the Bi-directional support, which gives the ability to initiate system and component tests. This would be great if you could do a test on, say, individual injectors. That would certainly help a lot of guys that have been having injector problmes.



I've been watching this site for a while now, and I'm really close buying. I would really like to have the enhanced data, though. Maybe it wouldn't offer any additional that we'd be interested in, but I still like to have it.



Jim

 

[jcarey]

Just noticed this on AutoEnginuity's web site:



"Coming Soon!

Toyota Enhanced

Chrysler Enhanced

GM ECU Reprogramming (Not part of ScanTool)

SpeedTracer Stage II (This Fall)



It's also Bluetooth capable (added cost) for those without a serial sync port on their PC/PDA.



I've been waiting for the Chrysler enhanced data. I'm soooooooooo close to getting this. Oo.



Jim

 

[TractorNut]

So what is the lastest on the software... I am looking for some basic monitoring/code clearing software... Where is the best place to get the OBDII connectors...

Thanks

Bryan

 

[jboehm]

ftom their FAQ:

We will connect to the Duramax, Cummings, and Powerstroke diesel vehicles; however, because their gross vehicle exceeds the maximum requirements of the OBDII standard, they are not OBDII compliant and very limited data or sensors will report with generic OBDII



??? Got me wondering if it's really worth it.

 

[Rman]

So what is the lastest on the software... I am looking for some basic monitoring/code clearing software... Where is the best place to get the OBDII connectors...

Thanks

Bryan

I have alex peppers software... I actually sat down for quite a while yesterday and figured it all out. I had much better success with my ford van than with my dodge pickup. Some vehicles have much better support than others. I got the basics to work with my Ram though, code clearing and some monitoring. It's fairly simple to figure out, I wish it had a manual though. The price was right though.

 

[TractorNut]

Thanks... I'm going to get the cables and see what is out there. . My bro is needing them to rewright the software for his EPROM for his IROC. . I just have to buy the OBDII connector to make it fit my truck... and then the software. . For him, someone has written some free software to use. . but it only covers info on the tuneport engine. . so paraimeters are all different. . I have used the Snap-On Scanners a little...



Do any of the software programs allow you to do engine Diagnostic test?? I know the VP44 pump is capable of these test, we use them on JD engines. . and we can cut out one cylinder if we need to... can also do a Realitive Compression, and Missfire test. . Just curious...

Thanks

Bryan

 

[jboehm]

I'd like the idea of "engine diagnostics", but I got a funny feeling that ain't going to happen soon, least not without a price. Seems that's dealer proprietary stuff , we're lucky to be able to get connectors and limited diagnostic stuff for the diesel. Course part of that is , is because of the federal emissions stuff. . which a LOT of that does NOT apply, (except maybe in Kalifornia),and then sometimes appears not to apply except for "smoke" applications. I don't have a problem spending the money for a monitoring program, and be able to check/clear a few specific codes. . Would rather pay money for ONE program, specific to our engines. I don't need to mess with my neighbor's BMW or whatever, My Cummins/Dodge is what I need to work on, IF I ever need to , and then, I need to KNOW. , cause it's already out of the warranty band. , and I'll probably have it for another 5 or 10 years!

 

[Rman]

Well the OBD-II "standard" is what all cars are supposed to use. Think of it as an operating system. The various other "application software" type programs are what the different manufacturers make their own. I'm a software/electronics tech guy and these computers are very simple and streamlined, in order for them to be more capable it's going to cost much more and I don't think the industry is ready for that investment. My wifes BMW is extremely intense though, the industry is headed that way, but american vehicles will always lag far behind I'm afraid... kind of like our infrastructure.

 

[Rman]

Thanks... I'm going to get the cables and see what is out there. . My bro is needing them to rewright the software for his EPROM for his IROC. . I just have to buy the OBDII connector to make it fit my truck... and then the software. . For him, someone has written some free software to use. . but it only covers info on the tuneport engine. . so paraimeters are all different. . I have used the Snap-On Scanners a little...



Do any of the software programs allow you to do engine Diagnostic test?? I know the VP44 pump is capable of these test, we use them on JD engines. . and we can cut out one cylinder if we need to... can also do a Realitive Compression, and Missfire test. . Just curious...

Thanks

Bryan

The OBD interface allows this, but it really relies on the manufacturer to incorporate it into their routines. My ford van allows some nifty tests on various voltages and cylinder timing... however not all vehicles are supported. I'd be willing to bet though, as the computer age evolves more so will the support involved. When OBD came out I don't think it was intended for consumer use. It's slowly making it's way down the tree to the user.



Keep in mind this is solely monitoring, the reprogramming would probably require a different interface, and most likely removal of the computer itself.

 

[TractorNut]

Thanks RMan. . I really don't under stand why we are so far behind. . but I know we are. . in many different fields... When we. . (John Deere ) introduce new equipment it usual goes over sea first. . not as a trial. . but because they are better accepting the new Technology... And we are trying to keep up with what is over there. . we have a good examples of that in the last few years... Front suspension. . cab suspension. . IVT trannies. . (infinite varaible Trany)... four wheel suspension. . (opps that ones not out yet. . hehe. ) Our systems are the same. . good for the dealers. . but there is nothing out there for the independent. . and they would like to keep it that way. . but aftermarket will have to be the ones push this. . It is getting better. .



On the Tune Port Chevy's they have lots of cool stuff out there. . my brother can burn is own EPROM's. . and set up the program how he likes. . the trick is to look at all the info. . (cam, timing, compression, etc. . use of the car. . ) and the inputs. . and decide what to do... He has some help because there are lots of people doing this and they are sharing some of the info... I know the cummins uses the reprograming to change some of this info... this is were people like Macro have spent yrs trying to get it to work. . and now they have the MAD ECM. .



I am really just looking for monitoring info. . but if there was something out there that some of the engine dia... I would be interested... (after looking at the price. ) I wish cummins was using the round 9 pin (CAN) connector... I'd see if my interface would work...

OK. . done rambling. .

Bryan



(Oh, yea. . is there much out there for the BMW's??? wife has a 02 325ci... I know with the Snap-on you have to buy program/card/chip for the imports... never thought much about it. . )

 

[Rman]

I've yet to research the BMW, we just bought it a week ago. I think dodge will switch to the CAN interface shortly, it's much more versatile from what I've read.



The main reason technology goes overseas first is because it is excepted there much more favorably. I constantly here crap from old timers about how bad electronics is, and how they'd take the old mechanical way any day. I'm sorry but that just ins't the case anymore. When electronics was "new" back in the day, I'm talking when solid state was cutting edge... yes there were problems, and yes mechanical stuff may have worked better, but 40 years of evolving can do wonders.



Electronic circuits are infinitly more reliable than those days, and frankly they have the power of doing so much more with controlling things, with extreme accuracy. It's difficult to explain this to someone who refuses to except that. I really don't care what they think anyway, I know how it works and have no problem with it.



You ever seen a picture of the courts over in europe? I saw one, they all had laptops and nifty gizmo's in front of them to talk into. It was cool, and then you think of it here... can't even have a camera inside.



One day it'll come around. You'e right marco has done some wonders programming the ECM. If my comp box ever dies I'm considering one.

 

[TractorNut]

I think dodge will switch to the CAN interface shortly, it's much more versatile from what I've read.



I constantly here crap from old timers about how bad electronics is, and how they'd take the old mechanical way any day.



One day it'll come around. You'e right marco has done some wonders programming the ECM. If my comp box ever dies I'm considering one.

I'm not up on the Cummins info. . but I think the engine is on a CAN network...

LOL. . on the crap from old timers... On old tractors we used to adjust and replace parts. . (bushings, bent and stuck linkages. . ) have had far less problems with switches, wires and electronic valving. .

You will like the BMW. . our service has been awsome... they have always giving us a loaner. . and that was jus when it went in for its free old changes. . (always comes back cleaned inside and out. ) They even drove 40 miles to wifes work to install a trunk latch that broke. . under warrenty. . only thing I haven't like is the oil change intervals. . and thats nothing that can't be handled...



Why wait on the Comp box... They are making a Comp Box user friendly MAD ECM now. . with less timing advance... I have loved my DD- Drag Comp box. . stack it... lol... Maybe someday...

Bryan



(Still haven't decided on the software. . haha. . )

 

[JGK]

Don't guess at it. Contact the manufacturer of the software and ask. I looked into many of these to help diagnose a problem with our car (a Volvo) earlier this fall. I was hoping that if I bought one, I could also use it on the truck. The biggest problem with the 12-valve trucks is there is very little controlled by electronics - they are all mechanical! So it's not practical.



The other thing I found out is while nearly all can read and report the 'generic' codes that are part of the OBDII standard, the 'enhanced' codes are vehicle-manufacturer specific and these programs aren't always up to the sophistication needed to go to that level. That is what I found out for the car anyway. And the diesels add another level of complexity or variables that they don't always address. However, there is more available from the US manufacturers (Big 3) than the European ones. That's what killed it for me.



As an example, I took our car to an independent shop to try to diagnose the problem. They had no luck. They didn't have the dealer-level, high-ticket diagnostic equipment needed to find it (tens of thousands of dollars). So I took it to the dealer. They found it using their equipment with no problem.



Also, be advised many vehicles use various computers to control different parts. One will do the engine, another for the transmission, another for whatever. These owner-level programs don't usually have the sophistication for that.



On the other hand, depending on what you're looking for and your expectations, these may be great. A data logger that will log real time data from a dyno run, etc. to a laptop would be really cool. And some will do that.



I think the Auto Ingenuity product was one of the better ones.



As I said, contact the manufacturer and avoid the guess work.



FWIW,

-Jay

 

[Rman]

For the stuff I work on (F16 avionics systems) there are very complex diagnostic routines within the software, so when there is a failure there are certain flags set within the software that display a really funky code message. If you have the tech data which deciphers the myriad of letters and numbers it makes trouble shooting failures much, much easier.



Now the development that goes into these programs is very intense, and I really doubt DC would front the money for this. However, it sure would make long term troubleshooting easier.



Those expensive dealer only diagnostic machines probably interpret the computer low level outputs into failure PCOF's... but they could design a software program that could do this, and distribute this to the public we could all do this. Hey wait a minute! That there is the problem, they don't want the public to know, that takes away half of the car business.



I went so far as monitoring the pulse train to the injection pump the other day. I was bored and "borrowed" our nifty fluke portable O-Scope (model 97 I believe). Man I love that thing, wish i had the ducketts to buy one for home.



The computer systems that operate vehicles are really very simple and to me not that complex. It's mainly a matter of monitoring a few voltages here there. The many different systems on an F-16 can get a little more deep so I'm kind of used to that stuff. The really hairy crap gets into multiple levels of languages that get recomplied for different types of hardware. Makes tracing signals a real pain.



I'll look more into the MAD ecm now, I didn't know they were making it comp box friendly. I do like the idea of just turning the box off, is this possible with the MAD? There's times in snow and ice where I just can't step on the gas with the comp on.