got a question for the more advanced guys

[grumpyvette]

what do you feel is the best/easy to use/accurate diagnostic software you can buy to install on a laptop computer to find/fix codes OBD1 and OBD2

IM looking for a software package with connector cables too install on my new laptop computer to diagnose OBD I and OBD II and other car related ,problems similar to the below scanners but preferably with connections /software for a a/f meter and more features and hopefully at a similar or lower price???

 

http://www.troublecodes.net/articles/rennacs/'>http://www.troublecodes.net/articles/rennacs/

 

http://www.levineautoparts.com/autez50obdii.html

 

http://www.levineautoparts.com/accpsuau.html

 

http://www.autotap.com/

 

http://216.230.203.183/cgi-bin/startpg.pl/page=home.html/SID=0/mail=1

 

http://www.rinda.com/auto/auto.htm

 

http://www.troublecodes.net/

 

ANY IDEAS GUY???whats worked and whats junk on the market??

[peej410]

hrm i guess nobody here knows more than you do grumpy

[mobythevan]

I haven't done any work with OBDI or II. That is part of the reason to go with megasquirt is to avoid the OEM computer altogether. Maybe try the same question in the chevy V8 section. Sorry.

[dmyntti]

I have experience with the Rinda technologies DIACOM software. I found it very easy to use and it gave very good information. It has saved me hours tracing bugs. It is nice to be able to capture the data from all sensors at once and see what is going on at the exact instance of a problem. I had a Corvette that would run about an hour and then suddenly lose all power and quit running. Once the engine stopped you could start the engine and run another half hour and then the process would start all over again. This turned out to be a injector shorting out and not letting the other injectors to fire. I may have never found it if I could not see all the sensors and see that my injector pulse width went may up but the AF ratio dropped of and I got spark knock. I have not used any of the other software that you listed but I am very pleased with the DIACOM software.

[quicker240]

I'll qualify what follows with some basic info.I am a Mac Tool dealer so I see many scan tools in the field,and as a former mechanic,have some degree of experience with several different tools.As far as bang for the buck,the Actron tools are pretty strong.A lot of info for a little money(comparatively).Auto xray is new to the game but looks and feels like Taiwan crap.Cables are wimpy,packaging is crap,not very durable.Where they both fall short is your requirement to connect to a p/c.To meet your spec.s(OBD I,II, PC connectable) there are few options currently available in the lower price range.OTC is offering a PDA based unit that was (and still may be) available from Baum.Does everything you ask EXCEPT cover OBD I Vehicles.It also has a scope attachment available as an option.The ET3005 from Mac is an OTC based tool that does all you ask,as well as ABS,transmission,and airbag,however I dont think(not entirely sure ) the latest software to display the data on PC called "connecttech" has filtered down to that unit yet.Its available on the high end "genesis(OTC) and Mentor(Mac) units and the ET3005 is based on the same software,so it cant be far behind.Hope this helps.Your posts are a great source of info for me so if there is ANYTHING I can do to assist you,just let me know.I consider the opportunity to help small payback for the knowledge I've gained as a result of your posts.

[grumpyvette]

thanks GUYS! if you think of anything else please post, IM always willing to learn new stuff!

[Tim240z]

I am using a cheap scanner that I bought at Harbor freight for 39 bucks. It is OBDII only, but is universal....Works great!!! Resets the codes too if you want it to....

 

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=46030