OBD-2 Code Reader/Eraser for Less Than $15

[bubba2533]

I have known about this for a while now but some one reminded me that others may be interested.

There are 3 things that you need:
1. Compatible Laptop (Program known to work on Windows XP and Vista)
2. e-bay USB to OBD-2 Cable (LINK) Mine has the blue plug
3. OBD-2 Scan Software (LINK) Unzip and Install using setup file

All you have to do is select the correct COM Port with the Configure Settings button and then connect. Then select the OBD2 Generic version.

To Read DTC's:
Go to the Read/Clear Faults tab
Then Click DTC to read.

To Erase DTC's:
After Reading just click Clear DTC.

Other Things you can do:
Live Data Reading-
-Open/Closed Loop Fuel System (Open/Closed) I think this is right
-Calculated Load (%)
-Engine Coolant Temp (°F & °C)
-Short Term Fuel Trim (%)
-Long Term Fuel Trim (%)
-Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure (kPa & inHg)
-Engine Speed (RPM)
-Vehicle Speed (Km/h & Mph)
-Ignition Advance Cylinder #1 (Degrees)
-Mass Air Flow Sensor (Volts)
-Absolute Throttle Position (%)
-O2 Sensor 1 (Volts)
-O2 Sensor 2 (Volts)

Log Previous Data
-Log and playback data

Picture of my cable for referance:

[calmonthing]

Yep I've got this as well. Been using it to flash on my WRX swap.

[Bansheeboy11]

Cool, all i need is a laptop with a working keyboard and im set

[Monster]

mmm should give this a try

[moogoob]

The link you posted had quite a few different ones. Some are $2 with $12 shipping... some are $14 with $2 shipping... and some $6 with free shipping...

So the ones listed for VW work with 2000 subaru? Price beats tactix cable... whats the difference between them?
Can you raise idle with the cable and software you linked?

[n2x4]

Nice! I have a friend who paid a lot more than that for his laptop scanner setup...

[seanrob]

so this will work right?

[IneedIspeed]

bump

[Skidd]

One thing to watch out for with those cables though.
If it's a USB based cable, then it will not likely work on some of the older vehicles.
Specifially, cars that only support the ISO9141 protocol. My 00RS is an ISO-9141 ECU. But, vehicles that support the kwp2000 protocol usually work fine. Here is why.

The ISO9141 protocol uses what's called a "Slow Init" sequence to initialize the interface. This slow init requires the serial connection to drop to 5-baud for a short moment. Most USB chips don't support this slow of a BAUD rate. They ususally require software to do some trickery called "Bit Banging" to do a fake "slow init". So, it can work, but the software must be aware of the specific USB chipset in the cable.

The KWP2000 protocol however, supports what's called a "Fast init" sequence. This fast init does not need a 5-baud drop in speed. Thus, the cable works well with most KWP2000 ECUs.

Note: The ISO9141 and KWP2000 protocols are almost the same. The primary difference is the init sequence.

The one place where a VagCom cable could/should work though, is with an SSM capable piece of software like ECUExplorer. This is because the SSM protocol doesn't need to change speeds for init. It just starts up at 4800baud, and goes to town!!

I tried a VagCom cable on my 00RS, and had no luck. But, it was an older VagCom cable that was not USB. So, these newer ones might have better luck! And way cheapr than a Tactrix cable!!

Shane.

[shaggie]

hahahahahah................. you said vagcom.