OBDII Automotive Scan
Tool and Virtual Dashboard
Recently I came a cross an useful tool
for our 993s, it is a small investment compared to the amount the data
and information it can provide. I have tried the scan tool on both
of my Porsche 993 and the BMW and it worked well for both cars.
The OBD2 scan tool basically is a cable/software
combination that can turn your laptop computer into a portable flight data
recorder for your OBD2 equipped car, it does a lot more than just record
data, it can tell you the fault code that set off your check engine light
and the o2 sensor readings in real time, a very helpful feature for someone
who is tuning their car.
The OBD2 scan tool can be purchased directly
from Alex on his web site at www.obd-2.com
mentioned that you heard about this product from my web site and Alex may
give you a discount.
Here are some explanation
in regards to OBD2
OBD is a abreviation for
On Board Diagnostics. OBD-1 is in reference to Title 13 California
Code 1968 tiltled "Malfunction and Diagnostic System for 1988 and Subsequent
Model Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles
with Three-Way Catalyst Systems and Feedback Control." filed on 11-15-85.
This required cars sold in California to have a on-board computer processor
for on-board self diagnostics of computer sensed emission related components,
fuel metering device and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation system). A partial
or total malfunction that exceeded exhaust emission standard would illuminate
a MIL (malfunction indicator light) and provide on-board indentification
of the malfunction location. To provide malfunction location information,
codes are stored in on-board computer memory. To read codes manufactures
use methods, such as flashing MIL light or various serial data protocols.
OBD-2 is in reference to
Title 13 California Code 1968.1 titled "Malfunction and Diagnostic System
Requirements-1994 and Subsequent Model-Year Passenger Cars, Light-Duty
Trucks, and Medium-Duty Vehicles and Engines. filed on 8-27-90 to Air Resouce
Board (ARB)
This requires a standard
electrical connector, open source standarized diagnostic trouble codes
(DTC), data, and communication protocol with more specific self-diagnostic
on-board monitoring of emission malfunctions. |
Please visit the
www.obd-2.com website for a complete
listing of features and functions this scan tool can provide. You
can also order multiple connector type of this scan tool for use on GM,
Ford and Japanese vehicles.
You can download
the OBD-2 desktop viewer from here, install it on your system and check
out the features it offers. Download
Here are some listing
of the recording I have done on my 993 that you can download, you will
need to download three different files for the complete viewing of the
data, the file extesion includes (DAT, LOG, TXT format) Click
here
p-car.com
Web
master
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