I have been looking at the software offered by digimoto for reading OBD II information. Does anyone have any information on this system?

http://www.digimoto.com/faq.htm#Will...0on%20my%20car

Or how about competing systems for reading OBD II. Do you find having ODB info useful for identifying issues with your car?

 

Snap-on, as well as virtually every other big name in tools makes OBDI and II scanners. No real point in having them unless you are planning on doing the work yourself, and even then its questionable. The snap-on scanner at my shop cost a little over 9 grand, although it does pretty much everything. Unless you just want to turn off check engine lights, dont really need the system scanners.

 

There's no reason to spend that much money on a scanner. The Digimoto is about $120, and the Auterra software that I use (for the Palm OS) is about $240 plus the cable. If it saves you one trip to the service bay at the dealer, or even a few hours worth of labor, at those prices it's paid for itself.

 

check http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=37 for more detail information

 

I use an AutoXray 6000 - pricey, but excellent. One does not need to do work oneself to justify an OBD II scanner. mine tells me much more than basic codes. I get coolant temps, timing info, open to closed loop status, and much more. Plus, the 6000 will store info on the fly, allowing me to download and analyze it later on my desktop PC. So on the S2000, I could determine the effects of the cooling system mods i made (Mugen thermostat, Mugen fan switch) to ensure that coolant temps dropped, but not so low that the car did not go into closed-loop. By those mods and the Honddata gasketwhich insulates the intake from the heat of the block, IAT's during idle dropped as much as 25 degrees. That is a lot. I also verified that I could hold timing advance longer as result of the mods - ensuring thqat those 240 ponies did not become 210 when the scaredy-cat Honda PCM dialed back the spark advance and/or went too rich in the A/F mix in fear of detonation (Honda PCM programs are very conservative - they do not want engines to grenade).

I certainly would agree that if you just want to pull codes, a cheap device or a loaner from the Zone make much more sense.

Buit an OBD-II device like the 6000 can be a very useful tool for shadetrees like myself. Between that and my accelerometer, I can make mods and assess possible mods.

 

RoadRage,

It's eight months since your post about the AutoXray 6000, and I'm curious if you're still happy with it. Have you done any web updates of the software or used the PC software to view your results?

I'm thinking about buying one for diagnostic and repair work, not modifications like you've done your S2000. I have three vehicles equipped with OBDII and I'm thinking it might be a worthwhile investment.

Your input is appreciated (as always).

 

It is a great piece, and has been useful in diagnosing a number of problems and mods on the Cobra, and the Subaru's overheating trouble. I also was able to dynamically capture some "forensics" on a guy's car, who had been having a warranty "battle" with his dealer over some aftermarket parts. It went to small-claims court, and I was able to testify as an "expert" in his behalf, showing the PC-downloaded data I had gathered with the AXray6K. The Dealer had asserted that the mods ("messed up the emissions software" - now there is a technical illiterate in full bloom!), but by showing that the "Ready Codes" were all showing good, and all the operating parameters (advance, OBD-II, HO2, etc), there "case" was annihilated, and the plaintiff prevailed. I actually enjoyed destroying their BS - it was a win for the "little guy", and every one of us who has had to endure the vitriole of someone running ver us because he has a shirt with his name on it.

 

Excellent!

I just ordered one, and I hope to have it by early next week.

Thanks!

 

are you able to change timing advance on the TL w/ this device??? i'm running an Injen CAI and Outlaw Racing thermoblock kit and would like to take advantage of the 93 octane fuel i'm paying for...

-miike

 

Mike,

The code reader/scanner can read OBD codes, tell you what they mean, and reset a "Check Engine light". The device cannot make changes (ie re-program the PCM).

I doubt that you'd want to change your ignition timing with the installation of the CAI and thermoblock kit. The differences in intake temperature are probably small enough that the built in programming may provide a bit more advance. There's a LOT more to the science of ignition timing than incoming air temperature.

The AutoXray 6000 could theoretically be used to monitor the various parameters,such as air flow, intake temperature, and timing to determine whether your changes do in fact make a difference. You'd want to etablish a baseline before modification and take another reading after the modifications are in. You might see a change in advance between the before and after captures.

Regards,