ScanTool OBD-II For Pocket PC

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolppc.html">http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolppc.html</a><br /><br />Auto Enginuity has released their latest Pocket PC version of ScanTool OBD-II diagnostic software.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20041129-scantoolobd.gif" /><br /><br />Some unique features of the software versus other products includes:<br /><br />• Bi-directional support. You have the ability to initiate system and component tests.<br />• Reporting of Monitored Test Results (Mode 6). If a system test fails, now you can see the results from the failing component.<br />• Full support for Bluetooth PDAs.<br />• KWP2000 support and CAN (optional) support. <br />• Support for the new extended sensor list (that's 83 sensors--now supporting the new 2005 additions). <br />• Wide-band O2 sensor support.<br />• O2 sensor test results. See sample plots of what you are to expect. <br />• PC and PDA file exchange. View and print files created from any ScanTool platform. <br />• Most importantly-ALL THREE vehicle interfaces. This is a savings of hundreds of dollars over the competitors unit.<br /><br />It works with any Pocket PC 2002 or 2003 device that has a serial port at the base, which is just about all of them save the HP iPAQ 1900 series.

[David Loendorf]

Wow! Great device! But expensive! :)

[Jason Lee]

Wow! Great device! But expensive! :)

Yeah.. i've wanted one of those for years... Soooo expensive though. :)

[gregmills]

Could I turn off my "Check Engine" light with this? :wink:

[David Loendorf]

Could I turn off my "Check Engine" light with this? :wink:

From my understanding of the information on their web site, Yes. But also, you could understand what the Check Engine light was refering to.

Near the bottom of this page http://www.autoenginuity.com/products-scantoolppc.html you will find a pointer "Clear the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon indicator" which displays what you will see when you request thsi function.

[theoak]

What is really cool too is that they offer a bluetooth connector for the OBD connector. Hence ... it could be completely "wireless".

[n1ck]

Whilst I have no problems with PC and PDA crashes I am a little more concerned when hacking into my car systems 8O

[Bill Harrison]

Well, this is certainly an interesting product, but I contacted the manufacturers today, and this is lacking in 2 regards:

First, it lacks any advanced chyrsler functionality, nothing beyond generic OBD II. This could be an issue for anyone working on a chrysler vehicle.

Second, it lacks any flash capabilities, which on todays cars can be quite necessary for alot of operations. Programming keyless remotes, setting up radios, programming antitheft keys, door keypad codes on ford products, sometimes even radios and navigation systems require flashing the cars prom with the proper information. They do not and WILL not offer this functionality in their software because of potential liability (Someone screwing up their car by putting in the wrong information)


Being a mechanic, and someone who does alot of work with scan tools, and automobiles, I find it hard to recommend this to your DIY'er with basic automotive knowledge. I also find it hard to recommend to someone like myself, mainly because of limitation number 2. The tricky part about pulling your own codes is not the pulling them, thats rather simple, and clearing them is as well. But actually FIXING your problem can be alot more difficult than it sounds. Automobiles are a careful blend of electronics AND mechanical parts, with the electronics doing their best to monitor everything. But a code is not a "Replace this and its fixed" type of thing. Seeing a lean O2 sensor code, bank 2 sensor 2 does not mean that there is a bad O2 sensor, it could be a wide variety of problems. Wiring, vacuum leak, other bad sensor, fuel problem, catalytic converter problem, exhaust leak, and many many more, just for 1 code. So there really is NO magic in being able to pull your own codes, there is still ALOT of diagnostic work to be done once you have that code in hand.

[djdj]

So there really is NO magic in being able to pull your own codes, there is still ALOT of diagnostic work to be done once you have that code in hand.
But having that information can help start the diagnostic process. And having diagnostic code information is a lot better than NOT having it.

[Bill Harrison]

Being informed is never a bad thing, however the inexpensive &lt; 100$ scanners give you all you need to know to be "informed" and start the diagnosis. So there is a pretty hefty premium here for what they are offering!

[Cybrid]

It's going for about $125 on Ebaymotors and is mostly a W?BIC