Scanner Laptop programs

R

racprops

Well-Known Member
I find myself lusting over the new super automotive scanners…

The new ones seem to work very well, auto scanning, pointing out what needs looking at, helping figure out what needs replacement and even triggering independent parts and reading them to help pin point the problems.

But I wonder and fear these features may not work on my older pre-05 Cars. I have NO plans on ever owning anything newer.

Plus scanners with such features are not cheap, and even the cheap imports models from China seem to start at $400.00 Plus…

Up until now software running on a laptop seemed to be the answer, and I have found some fairly good ones.

But these programs lack: auto scanning, pointing out what needs looking at, helping figure out what needs replacement and even triggering independent parts and reading them to help pin point the problems: by Testing comportments .

I thought I had found such a set in a scam called TOAD, they make claim they do not deliver and my research has found every program they carry/offer is someone else’s. Be-warned!!

So does anyone here know of such a high end program for a laptop that has all these features??

Rich
 
As you said, most of those features not gonna work on those old cars, so there is no benefit over a $20 OBD Bluetooth adapter and a smartphone app.

Frank
 
I know its an older thread, but I highly recommend the XTool A30M scantool. Not affiliated with this company in any way.

I bought it for $169 during Amazon Prime days , regular price is $219 if I remember right. Totally worth it IMO. Its a bidirectional scan tool that uses your tablet via BT connection. For the price point its been a great value.

I've used it on several vehicles to diagnose issues with TPMS receiver, evap issues and cylinder balance. Goes way beyond the usual code reader stuff. Lots of YouTube videos on it, make your own consideration.
 
www.ebay.com

XTOOL A30M Bidirectional Scan Tool OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner Auto Code Reader TPMS | eBay

XTOOL A30M Wireless Auto OBD2 Code Reader Engine Diagnostic Scanner 21+Functions.
www.ebay.com

heres a link if anyone wants to buy one

btw never worry if a threads a few years old, they all get read,
so USEFUL/GOOD added info is MOST WELCOME
the post may be dated , a few of the links may not work,
but there will be dozens of people over every few months looking for related info that need similar info,
so your posted info and any useful links are not wasted.
think about it, if you need info you do a search, you don't say only give me threads posted in the last week! hell,
the info you need may be in a link that's 3-5 years old, so you read the related threads, and you'll find the info you need!
its not wasted time to post good info on older threads even if the originating post starter is long gone from the web site.
that thread may be a decade old, but its still potentially very helpful to people looking for related info
 
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Very interesting, how much can you do with one of these. Can a person change fueling table etc.?

Rich
 
Rich, no it can't reprogram to that level, I think you'd need a tuning program for that.
 
Plus note the ebay model seems to be the same as this one on Amazon like 21 services VS 5 on a cheaper model.

I am seeing that it may not allow me to make main programing changes it only seems to allow test a number of things like the fuel pump and other computer controls devices...

One great thing about Amazon is the reviews and there is a good amount of guilds and help on this device.

 
Plus note the ebay model seems to be the same as this one on Amazon like 21 services VS 5 on a cheaper model.

I am seeing that it may not allow me to make main programing changes it only seems to allow test a number of things like the fuel pump and other computer controls devices...

One great thing about Amazon is the reviews and there is a good amount of guilds and help on this device.

 
You're exactly right - for the price point this is a very good bidirectional scantool but without reprogram capability, other than what's involved in more basic resets.

My view is that for the diy level this provides almost everything needed for diagnostic direction, much more than the usual obd reader. The control aspect is very helpful especially to test modules, circuits etc.

You're considering a higher skillset level that gets into tuning, mapping etc. The average Joe can get into real trouble trying to reprogram operating parameters.

My latest use - fuel fill issue on 2011 Silverado. I was able to command purge valve and cannister vent while looking at control voltage/tank pressure. Also able to blow air thru the cannister itself. All was ok , but still a backup in the fill. I then saw the fill flap was missing - found that at some point somebody tried to siphon gas and knocked the flap and lower screen down into the tube. Actual partial blockage. Using the A30M let me check component operation without tossing parts at the truck.
 
I agree I have a AutoXray scanner, and a number of PC scanner software.

I really need a good scanner as I really want to save my AutoXray scanner as it is a rare OBDI scanners that can read my 93 Chevy van.
Although I find there are a few OBDI dogals that can allow running phone apps to scan these now.

The AutoXray can read Fuel Trims and chart functions ETC. I mean a lot.

I have two Scangauge II and run them full time and even cut the dash to mount one into the cluster on my 03 Ford Explorer and the other is moved from my 02 Explorer and 03 Crown Vic.

The 03 Explorer out of the blue had a big misfire it came and went...I plugged in the AutoXray scanner and it showed a fault in the Crankshaft Position Sensor....which we replaced and it has run fine sense.

I believe in good scanners...but as I have no plans to buy any car newer than 2010, and in fact I currently have a 2000 Toyota Camra, a 02 Ford Explorer, a 03 Explorer and a 03 Crown Vic and a 93 Chevy G20 Van.

I have NO plans and intend to drives these to my end of life which is some 10 to 20 years more...and as I do not work they seem likely to make it.

So a lot of the features of the newer scanners and cars PCMs is a question as to how many does my older cars have, I have been told that perhaps 50%...of these scanner uses.

Rich
 
And the OBDI (1) and OBDII (2) scanners are already being obsoleted!!!

I am have a hard time finding OBDI scanners....

This is forcing me to consider my current and future needs....I am remembering that with my OBDI PCMs they are programed by Eproms, and that I bought a device called a Eprom Emulator that allows me to replace the Eprom and run its program (or another one) off a PC running a program called Tunercat. This program allows real time running reprograming...just dial it and as I am driving and once I have got my program fine tuned I can them have it burned to a new Eprom chip.

I was planning on using that to program a lean burn cruse feature into the PCM.

BUT I have a workaround. I can do the same thing using a Zentronics Air Fuel ratio reading system which can change the air fuel ratios from 10 to 20:1 with a small PC and a scrip writing program switch to a 16.4 ratio lean with one button or verbal command and back.

So as I have a working OBDI scanner, I guess I don't need another...

Rich
 
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Totally agree on older vs newer models - our newest is 2011. I also see the older obd1 scanners getting more obsolete.

Two things on newer vehicles - insane complexity on the CANBUS and LINBUS networks, modules for everything and decreased plugnplay parts. Ridiculous to have to program a vehicle specific fuel pump module for example.
Add in mfg planned lifespan for hardware/software and its a mess.

All the more reason for a decent scantool that can read and control modules. At least you can see if a module is offline then see why.

My 57 with HEI and carb may be our ride after they hit the switch to shut it all down.
 
Yes, I know about the fake oil gauges in Fords, in my 2000 Mercury Grand Marques I put in a 1998 Mustang Cluster…BUT first I recalibrated the 7 grand tack to a 6 grand as I knew the 4.6 cannot rev to 6 Grand, second I had a full set of custom gauge faces made with true readings in temp, oil pressure, volts and gas tank (1/4 ½ ¾ etc) and my own idea for RED LINES, I then swapped in a real oil gauge and added its own pressure sender, and lastly rigged it with a string or RGB lights mainly for white and red for nighttime driving.

I am considering the same thing on my 03 Ford Cluster.

One of the things I liked about the 02 Ford Explorer was unlike the 03 Crown Vic and the Mercury which in bright sunlight and with sunglasses on I could not see the gauges…but the 03 Explorer I could…

Then I got a 03 Explorer and OMG when the hell did the gauges go…they were invisible as well…dumbass Ford upgraded the cluster faces to prettier fine line marking and crated the same problem on all Fords.

Checking I found that 02 and 03 have the same gauge cluster including all the lights for 4wheel drive etc.

So I bought a couple 02 clusters off ebay and swapped the main guage faces and fixed that problem.

One problem was the they have clockwise working gauges on the left side and counterclockwise gauges on the right side.

I have found an oil pressure gauge that swings counter clockwise out of a British Car, so I can do the same thing with the Ford Explorer gauge cluster later and at least do the RGB thing with it.

This is my curse...too much If Only...

Rich

PS I plan on driving these cars until the day I die...perhaps be buried in one.
 

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