OBD DIY

[The daddy]

Had the desire to make my pocket pc do cool things a year or so ago and bought an OBD cable from ebay and downloaded the soft ware to mess around on my Gallant.

Since binned the PDA idea, but I would really like to (at least) find fault codes via my laptop. I've seen loads of software for sale on ebay, but no say wether they need a scan tool.

so my questions - what does a scan tool do, and do I need one?

also antone know the best (for best read cheapest) software for my laptop?



cheers

[jimmyjimjim]

The scan tool is simply an ODBII interface cable, which allows the output of fault codes. It is essentially a simpler version of the interface cable or sometimes exactly the same cable, with simpler software.
If you have a cable already (tactrix?), most of the best software for Mitsubishi's is free.
Almost all of the free software will output the fault codes.

Have a look at tactrix.com and follow the links to openecu.org (IIRC).

If you get really enthusiastic, have a look at the evolutionm.com forums for ecu tuning, to get a pretty complete list of all of the software available.

Be warned; some of it is pretty hardcore - I'd be happy reflashing using the cable, but that would about be my limit at the moment. Worth spending a lot of time reading up on the subject before doing anything. Not many beginners guides to tuning available...probably a good thing; they'd be more of a beginners guide to blowing your car up...

[Trooper2]

I recently purchased an Equus Innova 3100a for $100 on special and it even pulls most of the manufacturers proprietary codes. I'm very happy with it.

www.iequus.com/product_info.php?product_id=3100&category_id=1_10_7