Since I do almost all of my own work on my car, I thought it would beneficial to have a OBDII scanner. I already have a laptop though, does anyone know of any windows software that can run like a scanner from a laptop? I am sure there would need to be a specialized cable as well. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. I am mainly looking for brand recommendations that people are already using.
Sometimes Pep Boys has a very basic model an Actron cp9125 that goes on sale from time to time for around 60$(regularly 79$ I believe).Also some Walmarts have an Equus 3030 for 69$ that has a few more features but they are both basically for just reading the codes and clearing them.The Equus comes with a little book that lists a generic description for the code-I am not sure about the other..
Yeah, I am not looking for the handheld scanner if that is what you are talking about. Just the software for Windows and the OBDII cable to laptop. I will check WalyWorld out though.
uh, you dont need to be running an EM to use this feature do you? just the relevant cable? and if so, whats on the other end? Serial? usb?
Serial, generally. You can use a decent serial-to-USB converter if your laptop doesn't have a serial port. And no, you don't need any EM, it's completely standard OBDII stuff.
Generic OBDII data has a VERY slow up-date rate and is not very useful at all. I own a MODIS and it does vehicle specific as well as the generic OBD info and there is a HUGE difference. I would say use your code reader stuff on the AP and forget the lap top software.
Not sure why you would "forget" the software. If you're looking to pull codes refresh rate is a non-issue, and if you use a free datalogger like TARI you can control what parameters are streamed improving the refresh rate greatly.
OBDII data is practically useless! It is generic info to ALL vehicles '96 and up and will do practically no good. A code reader with a shop manual with a good multimeter is all you should need. The only scanners worth using start at $3000. I've used many of them and own 2. It's pretty much an all or nothing type of thing. Just my opinion though. Sorry , I thought I screwed up the above post somehow and didn't realize it was there , not trying to beat the dead horse.
The Tari cable and ecuExplorer is well recieved in the Suby community. You can datalog pretty much anything plus read and clear your codes. All for $70 (cable).