Scan Gauge Install And Review... A Must Have Mod!

[rogerrabbit]

Hi,

I have a 2007 Sierra Classic XCSB 4wd 5.3 in stealth gray. I recently purchased a Scan Gauge, which is a multi-function engine performance gauge and trip computer. Best of all, it installs by plugging into the OBDII port under your dash board... no other power or hook ups. I installed mine as part of a larger project with my ham radio gear, but you can see how easy it is from the images.

 

The Scan Gauge control head is approximately 1.2" x 4.5". The device monitors any four of the following simultameously:

Fuel Economy

Fuel Rate

Battery Voltage

Coolant Temperature

Intake Air Temperature

Engine Speed (RPM)

Vehicle speed (MPH)

Manifold Pressure (not available on some vehicles)

Engine Load

Throttle Position

Ignition Timing

Open/Closed Loop

 

It also tracks data from any four trips. Parameters include:

Maximum Speed

Average Speed

Maximum Coolant Temperature

Maximum RPM

Driving Time

Driving Distance

Fuel Used

Trip Fuel Economy

Distance to Empty

Time to Empty

Fuel to Empty

 

The device also scans for trouble codes and will report on the following:

Reads Trouble Codes

Reads conditions that set the Trouble Code

Clears Trouble Codes

Turns off the "Check Engine" light

Tells you when vehicle is "Ready" to pass OBDII testing

Make and store up to 10 rewritable special codes

to send to the vehicle computer

 

The backlighting contains dozens of colors... I set mine to match my radio gear, but any color of the spectrum is selectable.

 

Best of all, Scan Gauge costs only $169 and has features associated with boxes costing 2-3 times more.

 

We're all concerned about fuel costs so let me share this tidbit... the Scan Gauge will watch any four engine performance parameters simultaneously. I usually have mine watching: RPM, Miles per Gallon, Gallons per Hour and Voltage. I have found that by watching the real-time MPG display and RPMs (which are accurate to the single revolution) , I have been able to find some "sweet spots" where the truck will just sip fuel. For example, on the highway, between 1730 and 1740 rpm, I can get my sustained MPGs in the 21+ mpg range. If I go faster or slower than 1730-1740, it slips back to the 19 MPG neighborhood.

 

Trust me, this device is very cool, has plenty to keep you awake with on the road and could actually save you money. I got mine from www.scangauge.com

Enjoy!

RR

[Silverado_Monkey]

Very cool! I think I may have found my next electronic upgrade! :-D

[cmoore74]

I'm really interested in getting one of these, but I want a reading of transmission temperature as I tow.

 

I asked the manufacturer of these (linear logic) about having transmission temperature as one of the display parameters and this is what they responded with:

 

"We currently working on a way to add vehicle specific gauges to the

ScanGaugeII. This would include transmission temperature. We expect to

complete it within the next few months."

 

I'm going to wait for the upgrade. I asked this question a few weeks ago.

[Silverado_Monkey]

Good call cmoore74, that would be a great feature to have on this. I'll probably wait to see if they able to get that implemented as well. Thanks

[C & A s Dad]

It would seem odd that it does not read Trans Temp. My Interceptor Scan Gauge will read trans temp and it is much less sophisticated than the one mentioned here. It will read all parameters offered to to the OBD II port but will only display 2 at a time. I have really loved mine and rely on it a great deal whne towing. I keep mine set on MPG and Trans Temp.

[pwall]

I have an Interceptor like C & A s Dad. The main reason for choosing the Interceptor was for the trans temp. As I tow, I want to know what the tranny is up to.

 

Trey: I have mine set to speed and trans temp. With the wheel tilted down and I tend to have my hand on the wheel at 12 o'clock, I can't see the speedometer. The gauge on the Apillar makes it real handy to see the speed. ;)

[04z71steve]

this device has really caught my attention, i spend a ton of time towing, either my 2 boats for please or a utility trailer for work and I'm really interested in picking one of these up my only question for u roger rabbit, is where did you find that handy console that you have in between your front seat and your dashboard! that things looks awesome cleans up the cab very well!! let me know where you got that i'd appreciate it!

 

Steve

[cmoore74]

this device has really caught my attention, i spend a ton of time towing, either my 2 boats for please or a utility trailer for work and I'm really interested in picking one of these up my only question for u roger rabbit, is where did you find that handy console that you have in between your front seat and your dashboard! that things looks awesome cleans up the cab very well!! let me know where you got that i'd appreciate it!

 

Steve

 

To my knowledge they still have not incorporated tranny temp into the Scan Guage which IMO is a must have for towing. I'm either going to wait for them to incorporate more features or get in Aeroforce interceptor.

[Paul58]

I had one of these in my Nissan Frontier and loved it! It will be finding a new home in my Sierra soon. For anyone interested, MGT Motorsports is running a special here: http://www.mgtmotorsports.com/bmsg.html You can get the ScanGuage and the Mirror Mount for 179.00. The Mount alone cost me $49.00, so this is a pretty good deal.

[thecraft]

I wish they made these for OBD-I trucks

[jhoff8487]

For anyone interested, MGT Motorsports is running a special here: http://www.mgtmotorsports.com/bmsg.html You can get the ScanGuage and the Mirror Mount for 179.00. The Mount alone cost me $49.00, so this is a pretty good deal.

 

How easily is the mounting? How do you install it, hide the wire, etc. Really...how clean does it look and how easy is it to do? I've wanted one of these things for months and while tranny temp would be great...eh, I really have nothing I tow regularly anyway.

[Paul58]

For anyone interested, MGT Motorsports is running a special here: http://www.mgtmotorsports.com/bmsg.html You can get the ScanGuage and the Mirror Mount for 179.00. The Mount alone cost me $49.00, so this is a pretty good deal.

 

How easily is the mounting? How do you install it, hide the wire, etc. Really...how clean does it look and how easy is it to do? I've wanted one of these things for months and while tranny temp would be great...eh, I really have nothing I tow regularly anyway.

 

 

It's very easy to install. The mount comes with a couple different lengths of mounting bolts and washers to get the height just right. The mount itself is aluminum and fastens around the shaft of the mirror and is held snug with a couple of allen screws. The Scan Guage is held to the mount with a secure velcro type material. I just tucked the wire over the head liner and ran it down behine the driver's side pillar. I thin I had to remove two screws. The kit also comes with a coypler and an extra length of cable so there is plenty to reach the OBDII port under the dash. When I had it ounted in my Nissan you could not see any wires, I have not mounted it in my Sierra yet.

[DanMan_S]

I swear by the MSD Dashhawk, loved it in my jeep and will install it in my Vmax asap. It also has a built in performance computer that can measure 0 - 60 and 1/4 mile.

 

www.dashhawk.com

 

http://www.dashhawk.com/parameters.html

 

* BLM Cell #

* Torque Management Spark Retard (Shift)

* Commanded A/F Ratio

* Knock Retard

* Cylinder That Knocked

* Learned Spark

* Oil Pressure Calculated Vacuum (GM)

* Calculated Air Flow (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl1 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl2 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl3 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl4 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl5 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl6 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl7 (GM)

* Current Misfire Cyl8 (GM)

* Total Misfires (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl1 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl2 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl3 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl4 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl5 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl6 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl7 (GM)

* History Misfire Cyl8 (GM)

* Misfire Cycles (GM)

* Desired Throttle Position (GM)

* Pedal Rotation (GM)

* Fan Speed (GM)

* Desired Fan Speed (GM)

* Fan Speed Error % (GM)

* Command Fans 1, 2, 3 ON/OFF

* Command Fuel Trim Reset

* Command Crank Angle Sensor Error (CASE) Relearn

* Last Shift Time

* Trans Input Shaft Speed

* Trans Output Shaft Speed

* Trans Temp

* TCC Slip

* Current Gear

* VBS Force (Amps)

* VBS Force %

* TCC DC %

* 1->2 Shift Time

* 2->3 Shift Time

* 3->4 Shift Time

* 1->2 Shift Error

* 2->3 Shift Error

* 3->4 Shift Error

[larryf]

I have a 05 1500 and I noticed that the HD has a trans temp gauge. The 1500 dosen't have one. Has anyone put the HD trans temp gauge in a 1500?

[pwall]

Apparently, you can install a cluster from a 2500 and the trans temp gauge will work without mod, as it gets the info from the PCM.

 

I installed an Interceptor gauge instead...much cheaper and it does more (see postings above).