Help me put together a write-up for an in car PC w/ OBD2

[gulleyman]

I've put together a couple of in car PC's, carpc's or carputers before and plan to put one in my Yukon (as soon as it's running right). I don't have any experience with OBD2 scanners but most carpc software has a place to include OBD2 capabilities. I'm looking at doing this because adding OBD2 to a carpc that I already have will cost much less than any good scanner and it looks like I'm going to need a good scanner to solve a random misfire nightmare

I'm hoping someone on the forum has played around with this before and could help me make a shopping list and point me in the right direction. Should look something like this:



Anyone...

 

[SunlitComet]

It should really be plug and run software although the serial cable has since been changed to usb by now since it is quicker and more flexible then serial ports nowadays. I have already made reccomendations on the diagnostic parts so you just have to decide what type of computer to use mount it all in and run your software. It should straight forward until you start adding automation control boards to the setup.

 

[gulleyman]

[/COLOR]Yessir' trying to iron out the hardware details, this is pretty close to the same model carpc that I'm using:

it's not exactly the same model, I gotta dig mine out of the shed to get all the details on it but that's not terribly important at this point.
Most of the scan tools come with free software and an optional upgrade for about $60. Still learning about this too, the scan tool part is now available in bluetooth and some are super small, they can even link up to your iphone or pda phone. I'll post some of the stuff I've found so far below:

http://www.mo-co-so.com/v/vspfiles/photos/MCS-BBM-PCI-4.jpg

http://www.mo-co-so.com/OBDLink-Scan-Tool-Universal-OBD-II-327-Interface-p/mcs-sca-lnk.htm

http://www.mo-co-so.com/OBD-II-Scan-Tool-Interfaces-s/75.htm
So far the OBDLink seems to be the one most people prefer. Still researching it though...any input ya'll?

 

[SunlitComet]

Looks good so far Nice little unit what about monito and input. Perhaps a 15"touchpanel with hidable keyboard and trackball? Is the blue tooth unit pictured compatible with the software you will use?

 

[ezdaar]

Omg! You jut made me decide on putting a touch screen dbl din radio and pcm my Denali!
Dammit dammit dammit! Lol! I'm alrdy known as mr gadget withall the toys I have in my Denali!

Owell it's only money!

 

[gulleyman]

Looks good so far Nice little unit what about monito and input. Perhaps a 15"touchpanel with hidable keyboard and trackball? Is the blue tooth unit pictured compatible with the software you will use?

I actually already have a flip out touch screen that goes in the dash and a bluetooth keyboard with built-in mouse. Already have the GPS receiver and reverse camera too...this is my third carpc so I've got that pretty well figured out. But it's my first rodeo with the OBD2 interface, never thought it would be cost effective until I had to go to the dealer for diagnostics LOL.
Has anyone else here ever done the carpooter thing before or am the pioneer for this forum?

...I'm alrdy known as mr gadget withall the toys I have in my Denali!

Owell it's only money!

you riiiiight

---------- Post added at 04:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:33 PM ----------

O'kay, so it looks like there is an option to go with a right angle OBD2 plug which will give me the low profile installation that I'm after.

Now this can stay hooked up all the time and not get in my way. Also there was a concern that the scanner may stay on all the time as it gets power from the OBD2 socket but I found out that the new units come with an option to power off the OBD2 socket or an alternate power source that is switched
So I don't have to shell out the extra cash for the Bluetooth option, even though that would be cool because you could link it to your "smart phone" or be that cool guy that can plug in your buddy's ride and diagnose his CEL too.....

---------- Post added at 04:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:09 PM ----------

So the OBDPros unit has an optional software upgrade for about $70 which gives you the following:

OBD 2007 features:
OBD 2007 is a family of OBD II software applications designed to assist automotive professionals and enthusiasts alike in diagnosing and analyzing problems with modern vehicle engines. Presently there are two versions of OBD 2007, one for PCs, laptops and Windows Vista UMPCs and another for Pocket PCs.
Feature summary:

OBD 2007 supports all services $01 through $09 as specified by SAE J1979 and ISO 15031-5.

* 01 – Current Power train Diagnostic Data.
* 02 – Power train Freeze Frame Data.
* 03 – Emission-Related Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
* 04 – Clear/Reset Emission-Related Diagnostic Information.
* 05 – Oxygen Sensor Monitoring Test Results.
* 06 – On-Board monitoring Test Results for specific monitored systems.
* 07 – Emission-related Diagnostic Trouble Codes detected during last drive cycle.
* 08 – Control of On-Board System components.
* 09 – Vehicle Information.

Supports the following:

* Continuous real time digital display of up to 90 Pids of power train data.
* Continuous real time graphic display of up to 90 Pids of power train data.
* Automatically supports all vehicle protocols including J1850 PWM, J1850 VPW, ISO 9141, ISO 14230, and ISO 15765 (11 and 29 bit CAN).
* Display of Vehicle readiness - Continuous and Non Continuous monitoring and monitor status of MIL lamp and detected Diagnostics Trouble Codes.
* Display of Freeze frame pid data as stored in the vehicle’s ECU.
* Displays both stored and pending Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
* Clearing/Resetting engine MIL light.
* Display of Oxygen sensor data.
* Display of On Board monitoring of non continuous tests.
* Display of vehicle information including VIN number.
* Display of virtual dashboard for display of real time data, including an instantaneous fuel consumption gauge.
* Logging of both diagnostic data and real time data, suitable for importing in Microsoft’s Excel.
* Displays data in either Metric or Imperial, automatically adjusting based on the Window’s Region setting.
* Sensor information can be individually selected or deselected.
* Display of vehicle’s OBD compliance, protocol and scan tool interface and version.
* Sensors display current, minimum, maximum and average values.
* Connection support by either Bluetooth serial or cable serial. Com and baud rate saved for future sessions after initial selection.
* Summary display of vehicle’s supported services.
* Connection tab displays real time hexadecimal data for those conversant with SAE J1979 or ISO 15031-5.
* OBD Terminal mode for those who wish to directly send commands to the scan tool or the vehicle’s ECUs.
* Incremental adjustment of Elm 327 timeout value to maximize sensor response speed.
* Fully incorporated help manual of our easy to read OBD 2007 Program Guide.
* Version check with our server for program version updates and integrated download of new versions for registered users.
* Fully featured demo of both products, limited to 7 days by an activation license with our server.

Additional modules:

* Dashboard and Fuel Analysis gauges
* Graphic data module. The ability to graph any 4 pids in real time
* Mapping module
* Playback module
* Acceleration test module
* Automatic discovery of correct com port and factory set baud rate of scan tool
* Support for high speed baud rates up to 2.0Mbps

The free software includes:

* Ability to view real time sensor data from all supported OBD II sensors on the vehicle.
The sensors that can be monitored vary from vehicle to vehicle but some of the most common parameter that can be monitored are:
o Coolant temperature
o RPM
o Vehicle Speed
o O2 sensor settings

* Ability to view diagnostics error codes and including detailed description of the error codes and the ability to turn off the check engine light, by clearing any error codes that are set.

* Ability to graph sensor readings - Supported in the OBDdiag software.

What do you think sunlitcomet, do I need the additional software to diagnose this random misfire or should we try the free software first?

 

[SunlitComet]

What software is this? It doesn't look like the ones w have discussed before with the same hardware interface which did come with free software?

 

[gulleyman]

What software is this? It doesn't look like the ones w have discussed before with the same hardware interface.

It's the OBDPros one, the other was OBDLink. They're both about the same it seems but I don't know if OBDLink has the optional right angle plug or the option to select a power source yet....still researching (update: they both offer the right angle cable for $3 and OBDLink has a different unit that's smaller and has a "powersave mode"), what do you think about the software?

Scantool.net free software (w/ $99.99 scantool):
http://www.scantool.net/obdwiz/
Scantool.net ScanXL™ $89:
http://www.scantool.net/software/scanxl-std.html
Scantool.net ScanXL Professional $130:
http://www.scantool.net/scanxl-pro.html

OBDPros free software (w/ $84.95 Bluetooth scantool):
http://www.obdpros.com/obdproSoftwareOptions.html
OBDPros upgraded software - OBD 2007 $69
http://www.obdpros.com/obdproSoftware.html

 

[SunlitComet]

Since the the hardware already comes with free obd wiz I would stick with that as far as free goes. From what I read OBD 2007 seems to add what obd wiz already has such as graphing and playback options plus a few other technical things. I can not find any info on weather obd2007 cover enchanced gm data which among other dozens if not hundreds of data things gives you access to abs, transmission, airbag and the cam/crank correlation issue that cam up.

As far as free goes stick with obdwiz which comes with the interface. Coose the right angle option.

As far as payed for software I still reccomend Scanxl pro(130) plus the gm enchanded module add-on(90) for $220 total. Better support I think too.The only thing I think can top that is multithousand dollar handhelds.

I just can't find details that obd2007 does equal or exceed what the other combo package does. OBD2007 info seem vague in comparison. Baybe there is more info I just can't find

Here is a link I found for the developer of scanxl:

http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/scanxlpro/index.php

As I look at there site it stands out to me that there is a lot of work put into development just look at the release notes link

Two importants notes:
1. both scan xl pro and obd2007 can bee tried as demos for free.
2. I found on the feature list for scan xl compatibility says it supports desktop pc and laptops but not carputers. That does not make any sense unless they assume that a carputer does not have the required storage medium to install and store it such as hard rive and cd rom(it does have both right?), proper connection interface(rs-232 com port/usb) are the carputer turning off or running down a battery when the engine not running or igntion off all of which with the right install setup seems a non-issue.

Response?

 

[gulleyman]

The OBD 2007 software description says it has the ability to display "mode 6 data". What that mean?
Don't know why they would say any software wouldn't be compatible with a carputer, their basically laptops in a different case. The one I have is designed to shut off or go into standby when the vehicle is shut off. You are able to specify whatever you want there.