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I've been considering the purchase of a program you can load on your laptop and plug the laptop into your car to somehow get data from your OBD 2 computer. This in an effort to determine/pinpoint problems with your cars engine and drivetrain.
I'm relunctant to invest in this software as I imagine it would precipitate more questions than answers. I don't want to wind up with a lot of data I am inable to interpret.
has anyone used or purchased anything like this software? It's a lot more complex than just a code reader.
One of the companies I've been corresponding with is "Autotap"
AutoTap Express DIY - OBDII Scanner

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Like most specialized tools it is not going to benefit the average driver...
If you are inclined to attempt to get the ultimate mileage /performance from a computer controlled engine it might be handy for accumulating real time data...

The express system seems to be lacking in real time data logging capability... not sure what is gained using it without recording ability ...can not see that it allows parameter changes in fuel management, ignition or transmission program flashing...

Seems to be not much more than a OBD2code reader... KennyV

You can get an inexpensive Chinese version of this on Ebay. They usually ship with some kind of software--probably public domain stuff, but they also support commercial software as well:

OBDII OBD II OBD2 CAN auto PC scantool USB cable v1.3a - eBay (item 370209877283 end time Oct-24-10 11:36:29 PDT)

This is all good if you do not have outlay a lot of money.......some of these programs are serious money!

lizard said:

This is all good if you do not have outlay a lot of money.......some of these programs are serious money!

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This program is around 200$, but it's not clear how many add ons you need to get it to be conclusive.

It's that or the dealer... In this country Auto dealers ( at least the ones around here) are notorius for not having any conscience when it comes to acurate estimates and price gouging. The last time I took the truck to the dealer was for a popped lock, as someone tried to break into my truck or steal it.
He tried to charge me for a 1 hour diagnostic charge. it was around 85 bucks.... in addition to parts and labor.
1 hour to diagnose a popped lock!
I'd be curious to know if the same is true down under.

RobertBrown said:

tried to charge me for a 1 hour diagnostic charge. it was around 85 bucks.... in addition to parts and labor.

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I am sure there are those that try to pad a bill as much as they can...
AND there are those that have no idea what is needed so they go along with anything that is billed out...
I am glad that you did catch their "error" and had them make it right...
Keep in mind just what type place they are and go anywhere else in the future... Not that it will ever hurt their business, but you certainly do not need to help their business...

If the device is only code diagnostic it is not worth owning...
there are free diagnostics available at several auto parts supply locations... check your local area..
:smile:KennyV

RobertBrown said:

This program is around 200$, but it's not clear how many add ons you need to get it to be conclusive.

It's that or the dealer... In this country Auto dealers ( at least the ones around here) are notorius for not having any conscience when it comes to acurate estimates and price gouging. The last time I took the truck to the dealer was for a popped lock, as someone tried to break into my truck or steal it.
He tried to charge me for a 1 hour diagnostic charge. it was around 85 bucks.... in addition to parts and labor.
1 hour to diagnose a popped lock!
I'd be curious to know if the same is true down under.

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In Australia the consumer rules, if they try to rip you off they can lose their license if they cannot explain their actions! Best to ask around for a idea of how compentant they are!:confused2:

lizard said:

In Australia the consumer rules, if they try to rip you off they can lose their license

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Wish it were so here...
For the most part, public opinion only works in small communities...
In the larger cities there is so much apathy that the bad places continue and just get the next victim that walks in...
The only time they disappear is if they go out of business...
If there were ever a shop audit of billed hours verses actual man hours paid in any given time period, it would be very apparent that a lot of folks are paying for time that could never have existed...

There are sites like... Ripoff Report | Scams, Frauds, Reviews And Consumer Complaints.
But not enough people us it ...
The only thing you can do here is warn those that you know and hope they/you don't encounter the crooked businesses. :smile:KennyV

Thanks for your nice information.

I question the outlay of money to buy software that is not going to be used frequently enough that it will result in a cost savings to the consumer. $200 sounds like a huge ripoff to me. What are people going to do with the software, and on how many vehicles? Is it of REAL use?

JDgreen said:

I question the outlay of money to buy software that is not going to be used frequently enough that it will result in a cost savings to the consumer. $200 sounds like a huge ripoff to me. What are people going to do with the software, and on how many vehicles? Is it of REAL use?

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In this case it seems not, however the OBD2 diagnostic is a standard, the same for all vehicles. If you have ever tried to pinpoint a problem with the emissions system, you quickly realize it's impossible with out comprehensive software. When you factor the cost of the sensors, or the houly labor rate for the dealer or any qualified mechanic with the proper diagnostic equipment, 200$ isnot much money for an effective system.
Wish i had one.....

RB makes a lot of sense.
The hourly rate of today's dealerships is out of sight. At around $200, you would make that back very shortly if you were able to tell the dealer the error code. This saves you the cost of him diagnosing your vehicle, and prevents him from telling you it is something more costly.
If cost is not in the equation, I would suggest a Siemens diagnostic system. They are handheld and read not only digital signals but also analog signals (if they are applicable in your situation). They also provide a SER which will tell you exactly when it went wrong and how it has affected anything else.

Ariena said:

RB makes a lot of sense.
The hourly rate of today's dealerships is out of sight. At around $200, you would make that back very shortly if you were able to tell the dealer the error code. This saves you the cost of him diagnosing your vehicle, and prevents him from telling you it is something more costly.
If cost is not in the equation, I would suggest a Siemens diagnostic system. They are handheld and read not only digital signals but also analog signals (if they are applicable in your situation). They also provide a SER which will tell you exactly when it went wrong and how it has affected anything else.

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I am skeptical the dealer would accept YOUR OWN testing of the system, and agree YOU discovered the correct error code....they are in business to make as much $$ as possible and I am sure the majority of them would say "well, we still have to check it with our equipment".

JDgreen said:

I am skeptical the dealer would accept YOUR OWN testing of the system, and agree YOU discovered the correct error code....they are in business to make as much $$ as possible and I am sure the majority of them would say "well, we still have to check it with our equipment".

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That dealer wouldn't stay in business long, unless he can scam gullible people into having their vehicles diagnosed. But then as you're aware, there's a sucker born every minute.

Ariena said:

That dealer wouldn't stay in business long, unless he can scam gullible people into having their vehicles diagnosed. But then as you're aware, there's a sucker born every minute.

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Your information is way outdated, it's acually every 15 seconds, every 20 seconds in Canada.....

Good One!!!

The only reason to have your own diagnostic equipment ... to do the repairs yourself....
I own a Lot of things, I have Never bought things I wanted to make money ... I get the things I want ... because I want them.
If you do not like repairing your own equipment, you will not have any reason to own the things necessary to determine what you need to do... :smile:KennyV

In my area, Advance Auto will scan your vehicle for free; that is the number one reason I have not bought my own scanner, despite wanting one.

The hard part is figuring out what the code really means. For example, if you get a code indicating that the manifold pressure (vacuum) is reading low, you have to make sure that the vacuum really isn't low (gasket leak, late timing, burned valves, etc.) or that you don't have bad wires (found a wire harness on a replaced engine rubbing on the CV joint; repaired the wires and all the codes cleared, before replacing the "bad" sensor.

This is where computer controlled cars get their bad rep and where a good shop can save you money because the auto parts store will not take back electronic parts when you're done "easter egging."

Hey guys , none of the diagnostic machines eliminate good old common sense, you still have to follow step by step procedures to find the fault in any system be it electrical, mechanical etc. The best machine and software is hardly more than a guide to point you in the right direction. But with todays vehicles we need all the help we can get.