Would anyone having first hand experience of using one of the above, please give me a run down on their use and good or bad points please ?
Reply direct if you wish, all relevent replies welcome. Thank you.
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Pete, I've looked at a number of these devices, mainly to interogate the a/c ecu's. I've also noted what else they do. The problem seems to be that they don't do all vehicles and models, even if you buy all available 'pods', which are the cable and box specific to each make/model. What happens is you buy the basic reader which comes with some common pods, extra pods are then purchased as required, but these come at a price, and some are pretty expensive. As the manufacturers are updating and adding extras to the ecu's all the time, this looks expensive. I think if all you want is to check the engine functions, then they are ok, but if you also want to look at airbag, abs, a/c, tc, transmission, alarm etc ecu's, then the coverage is a bit patchy. And, of course, once you've bought the reader, you're tied to that company. I don't know why no-one has brought out a software package that can run off a laptop, and then get updates off the web, but I suspect it's because they want to tie you in. And they're not cheap!
I'm sure that someone from Tune-up will be along soon to add their input. I suspect they use breakout boxes and oscilliscopes, but then you still need to technical date to compare the readings.
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Dave,
there are commercial packages available for laptops but they tend to be pretty expensive.
Others are available for free download or a small registration fee, but they are specialised packages developed by enthusiasts for a particular model.
I have a URL somewhere for a very good package developed by a Lotus Esprit enthusiast for GM ECUs if anyone is interested. It handles quite a few GM engines including some small block Chevy V8s.
Kevin...
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Kevin, do you have any details about pc packages?
I saw the site from the guy with a Lotus, and must admit I didn't understand a word of it!
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Dave,
I have quite a few URLs somewhere but I'll have to go back to CR-ROM to find them. (Someone trashed my laptop recently).
If you go googling for 'OBD II Laptop' or 'OBDScan' you should find what you're looking for.
Kevin...
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Pete
Why not take a look at www.sptools.co.uk. This is the Sykes website,and although still under development has some good information on the ACR. There is even a users forum for putting questions to their technical staff. I (being a member of the Tune-Up fleet) use this tool daily and have most of the pods available for it. It is very simple to operate,once you have located the diagnostic socket which is well hidden on some models!
I would say for engine diagnostics it is good for what it costs but it is really quite a basic instrument.
The two main criticisms I would level at it are firstly the back up literature is very sketchy and does not detail the codes or data you are reading at all well,and secondly Sykes have fallen behind in keeping the software current with later vehicles.One real nuisance with it is its inability to handle post 1996 Rover engine management, which has meant ,for me, an investment in the Snap-On system at some cost.
I hope the above are the sort of comments you were expecting.
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