Obd Ii Scanner Software

whitefish · November 4, 2009

I'm seriously looking into getting a scanning software/OBD II connection kit for my GM vehicles. I've been looking at AutoTap, Autoenginuity, ScanTool, and Auterra, all with the GM Enhanced pack. I haven't been able to find a comparison of these (and other) packages. I'm a newbie with error codes/diagnostics so some of my questions will be painfully simplistic.

Without getting Tech II, HP Tuner, OTC or some other crazy expensive software, I'm looking for a package that will do most of what I need, recognizing that I may not know all I need at this point.

What I do want:

- something that will retreive more than just genetic DTC's (hence the GM Expansion pack)

- an expansion pack that will retrieve info and error codes from the most sub-systems (e.g I have an auto transfer case and would like to retrieve codes when I get a "Service Four Wheel Drive" code).

- ability to read live data (not just static)

I don't plan on tuning and I don't need the ability to reprogram the ECM.

Many of the manufacturers show what GM specific errors their software will retrieve, but do not list the codes for these, making it hard to compare packages.

Any advice appreciate.

thearborbarber · November 4, 2009

Autotap will fit your needs and is easy to use.

whitefish · November 4, 2009

Thanks Chris. Have you personally used this software....?

Spurshot · November 4, 2009

Not to hijack, but would you be diagnosing Body Control Module faults as well? I'm interested in BCM programming capability in a tool.

thearborbarber · November 4, 2009

I have seen it in action. I have HPTuners and use there scanner. When I was shopping for tuner software some suites used autotap to log with. Also you can buy just the HPTuner scanner for $349.

As far as getting into the BCM, HPTuners won't I don't know about the rest.

06MonteSS · November 4, 2009

http://www.scantool.net/

http://myscantool.com/

dwhults · November 4, 2009

My Actron CP9190 scans everything on the NBS and up trucks.

06MonteSS · November 4, 2009

My Actron CP9190 scans everything on the NBS and up trucks.

wow, $500+ though... daaaamn....

might as well get a tuning suite at that point, and have the ability to actually tune the vehicle as well though...

could get a diablosport Predator and use the free dataviewer software on a laptop and log everything under the sun, plus have the ability to also tune the vehicle...

scooter88 · November 4, 2009

My Actron CP9190 scans everything on the NBS and up trucks.

might as well get a tuning suite at that point, and have the ability to actually tune the vehicle as well though...

could get a diablosport Predator and use the free dataviewer software on a laptop and log everything under the sun, plus have the ability to also tune the vehicle...

+1 I have a Diablosport and i really really impressed with it..Not only can i look up any codes but also log and/or record live data,set my long term fuel trim banks, and of course tune! Has the ability to hold 5 custom tunes which im using right now because getting my truck customed tune through the predator software with a guy(06MonteSS aka Lew) who can go through my tune file and look at my logs and get my truck dialed in. Also back to the trouble code thing..i looked up a code on my dads 97 work truck and worked fine!

dwhults · November 4, 2009

Under $300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Actron-9190...omotiveQ5fTools

Don't go by Actron's site. You can log and it records data when the check engine light is on. I paid $260 shipped for mine. Plus it does cars from 1983-Present.

The CP9180 is OBD II only. $150 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Actron-CP91...omotiveQ5fTools

06MonteSS · November 4, 2009

Under $300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Actron-9190...omotiveQ5fTools

Don't go by Actron's site. You can log and it records data when the check engine light is on. I paid $260 shipped for mine. Plus it does cars from 1983-Present.

The CP9180 is OBD II only. $150 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Actron-CP91...omotiveQ5fTools

aaah, ok... that's better hahahaha...

whew!

whitefish · November 5, 2009

Under $300

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Actron-9190...omotiveQ5fTools

Don't go by Actron's site. You can log and it records data when the check engine light is on. I paid $260 shipped for mine. Plus it does cars from 1983-Present.

The CP9180 is OBD II only. $150 shipped.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Actron-CP91...omotiveQ5fTools

).

Will either of these pull Class 2 communication codes? I believe the "Service 4WD" codes (e.g. selector switch error) are Class 2 (rememeber newbie, I may have this wrong).

dwhults · November 5, 2009

On my friends 03 Yukon it can read and clear Tcase codes. It reads all 3 computers in 99+ from what I have seen. My 99 on the other hand, it can only read the ECM.