Scan tool options

Happy Friday, It seems like I should own a scan tool given all the check engine lights I seem to encounter. What is the best option without breaking the bank? Steve

Hey Steve! I have been looking into these as well and I think I am going to go with the Durametric scan tool. Not only does it do all the typical OBD-II things but it also reads DME logs as well as reset the airbag light and quite a bit more. I haven't purchased it yet but it has been getting great reviews. I just need to buy a cheapo Windows based laptop so I can use the software since my Mac isn't going to be able to be used for something like this. ps. it is FREAKIN cold down here right now! It was 20 degrees this morning. BRRRRRRRR.

I have the durametric tool and I like it. BUT my poor little 800Mhz notebook runs it slooooow. I bought a $50 scan scan tool for quick CEL resets as well.

go to Autozone, it is free!

LVDell - Whatgoes? last time we discussed the Durametric you were insistent that it was really nothing more than a OBDII that could reset the airbag light. Are you going over to the dark side? Just kidding, I know I like my durametric, although it doen't do everything that the PST2 will do.

Well, they seem to be adding more and more useful info every month with free updates as long as you own the product. I will probably end up going with it but just don't have the need right this moment for any scan tool. In the beginning is really wasn't much more than just that but I am impressed with their development.

AutoZone ain't at the track.

I have this one.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...222868-5408142 Bargain!

I own the Durametric unit I think it's awesome, and it's more than a ODB. Check it out - I think it's the best one to get. http://www.durametric.com UPDATE: HERE IS THE LINK TO THE THREAD I POSTED TO WITH INFO ABOUT THE DURAMETRIC UNIT: https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...ferrerid=38496

Dell, it is 15 degrees here and friggin windy! What does it cost and where do you get one? I have a few extra dell laptops. When I get them sorted (we bought new ones for the kids=age22 and 23= Nice DAD that I am!!!!!! I will sell em cheap! It seams like every time I turn around one of my friends check engine light is on. I am going to buy the scanner and trade for bottles of wine! Plus I own a few beaters that seem to "light up" once and while. Thanks! Livefreezeanddie! Steve

Who said anything about the track?

Nobody in particular. But the original question was about a scan tool for convenience. Autozone, while free, is not convenient. I had a CEL on a track day (along with notable missing.) I used the Autozone service to divine the code. The lack of convenience is what motivated me to buy my own scan tool. Free is not always the best price.

oic

re: convenient.....what about your garage? ps. Tippy, where is that pic in your avitar taken?

Hey, I would like to buy one that works on all cars................any ideas?

Well, technically, they work on ALL cars. The problem though lies in the connector. So......you would need to buy a connector that is specific to each vehicle.

Any overlap with german cars Audi, vw, Porsche, bmw etc?

Not sure Steve. I know that I could use the last one I had on my MB as well. It all depends on the OBD port and how proprietary the pins are.

I thought the point was that they all used a standard connector that could be read by any reader (particularly the ones at inspection stations)

The reader is for ALL cars that are OBD compliant. The problem is that the connector will differ in various cars. For example, if you log onto the Durametric website you have to specify which car you have so you get the "correct" connector. All the 9X6 9X7 and 955 cars share the same plug.

That's not entirely true for OBDII. Durametric requires different connectors, sure. Generic OBDII readers should just work with the same connector for all cars since, what, '95? At least, that's what the EPA mandates. Compliance sometimes lacks. The generic code readers will reset a CEL, and will let you read OBDII codes. They will not let you do custom actions like resetting the airbag light on your 996 because you powered up with the receiver disconnected. I bought one of these to use for quick reads & resets: http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16298

You are correct, MY '95 (and before are OBD I). After MY 95 they then fall into OBD II. Hence I have one car that is OBD I that my reader does not work in because the connector does not fit.

Patrick.....Maybe you misinterpreted my post. A "generic" one WILL work in all OBD compliant cars BUT.....you have to have a specific plug to perform proprietary tasks for proper connectivity without possible damage.

I think you posted that the reader will work for all cars, but you need a particular connector for a particular car. For generic scanners, that is not the case. Both the reader and the connector are standard. The EPA mandates what pins are used for what networks. Some cars have other networks on pins that are/were unspecified. This is what special connectors would be for. These would only work for scanners (such as durametric software) that use/access manufacturer specific features. There are cheap J2534-1 complaint interfaces that do not include all the standard networks. There you would need to get one that supports your car. Generally iso9141 for eurocars and ricers, J1850VPW for Ford, I believe, PWM for GM, etc. CAN is nearly universal. Higher end J2534-1 complaint boxes include all networks software switchable to the correct pins. Even in this case, the OBDII connector is the same for all cars, the box handles the differences.

Sorry, what I was getting at was that the 9X6/7 cars and the 993, etc. cars require DIFFERENT plugs if you get the scan tool.

Ah, OK. Livefreeanddrive was asking about one that would work with anything. I thought that is what you were discussing. You need a specific connector if you get Durametric's. A generic actron should work fine on any of them. (For those 993 that are OBDII compliant, that is.)

It sounds like people are talking about a lot of different things, and I think I can clarify: Porsche uses their own proprietary codes and so forth. An ODB machine might do some things for you, but the Durametric unit does a lot more on the Porsche. The Durametric unit is meant for Porsche only. It's the closest you'll get to the computer that the dealer uses that I am aware of. If you have other cars - go get another ODB machine for them. But for your Porsche, get the Durametric unit, I'd say. I was impressed that they have updated the Durametric software just about every month for the last 6 months since I bought it. I updated my software and linked up to my C4, and wow, it does a lot more new things now. In this niche market, I would say that these guys deserve your business.

Agreed. That is why I have both. If I have time to use the durametric tool, it is GREAT and I highly recommend it. But to reset a CEL that is reoccurring for a known problem, I check the code and reset it in seconds with my actron scanner.

...kinda difficult if you're a mac owner that doesn't have a PC though - as far as I can tell I didn't see a mac version of the software on their site when I was shopping.

I don't know if it will run under virtual PC. I bought a small toshiba notebook on ebay for cheap. I use it for the PET as well as durametric.

Actually, I run my Durametric on my Mac Book Pro. ( I do this by running Windows XP using the "bootcamp", and so technically, my Mac is an Intel PC running Windows on the side). BUT - I betcha you can get it running on virtual PC - but what a headache. Go get yourself a new Macbook I guess is my advice. That might blow the budget for this, but I don't think you'll regret it.

Have you tried parallels?

Hmm, yes, of course I'm going to do this considering that I bought two brand new powerbooks months before the intel versions were released. Additionally, I refuse to run Windows on my macs - that's like putting ketchup on french food... absolutely repugnant.

Actually, I think you are right about that analogy. I wish that Durametric software ran on OSX - (We have parallels running at work for a few things - it seems fine too)

I'd jump at the Durametric if the software was available, but I guess that is a long way (if ever) from happening. Same deal on the GPS software... I'm still waiting for Garmin's promised OS X software so that I can consider buying a GPS for my car.

In an athletic center parking lot at an auto-x. I spun my car out when I swore up and down to people it was impossible. lol It was caught on film so I used it as my avatar.

Very cool pic! Reason I ask is I grew up in San Antonio and was trying to think of the places a Auto-X would be held.

Thanks, it was held at the Blossom Athletic Center parking lot. Too bad you dont still live here, it is hard to find people who are Porsche enthusiast, there are plenty here who own just for the name.

Ah, good ole Blossom. I graduated from Clark so I am very familiar with Blossom. We played alot of games there (I played baseball). Totally understand about the lack of enthusiasts in the area. We almost moved back to San Antonio but we (me and my wife) just weren't feeling it. And as sad as it sounds, we really wanted to be near all the great tracks we have available to us here in the East Coast!

Tippy - I lived in SA for 30 years. We lived in the NW part of town and still have a lot of family and friends there. We are going back to SA for the Christmas hiliday season.

Dell - I live by Clark but graduated from Madison. I dont blame you for not wanting to move back, I cant wait to move away, just waiting unitl I get out of college. Tim - I remember now you told me you lived here. When you are in town for the holidays, you will probably see me since I am always driving around somewhere. I think I have the only basalt black aero in town. P.S. Do you two guys race together since you all live in NC and from SA?

Have had dinner with Tim when I was down in Charlotte but haven't seen his get his car out on the track. Come on Tim.... are ya chicken?

No, not chicken! I have a friend that tracks his '05 'Vette, and between his comments and the comments made on Rennlist about how easy it is to get "hooked" on tracking the car, I have purposely avoided the track. In fact, I am almost certain that if I track it once, I will be on that "slippery slope" that many others are currently on. I still have 3.5 years of college to pay for my daughter, so I am avoiding the temptation for as long as I can. But, maybe someday......

2 words Tim.....Student loans j/k....all jokes aside, we'll see you at the track in 3.5 years. Unless of course your daughter does something to jeopardize your future at the track like go to grad school