Scan tools

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amagalla

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Hello all,

I've done some searching and can't seem to find the answer to my question.

I'm looking for a scan tool to retrieve engine codes and generally monitor the engine. Is there one that people here recommend. I'm interested in one that I can use with a laptop. Here are a couple that I've found, but I want to get your opinion.

http://www.obdcom.com/
http://www.obdscan.net/
http://www.obd2allinone.com/sc/toplevel.asp?cat=0

Is there something else folks here like to use?
Thanks.

Tony
 
there are several threads on this.

If your LS is a Gen1 you'll need a ODBII reader, Gen2 needs to support CAN.

If you are looking for the 'best' - then look at Autoenginuity (http://autoenginuity.com/) or AutoTap.

I personally have the Autoenginuity with the enhanced Ford codes.
I can perform the actual emission tests, dealer tests, ... a ton of stuff.

here is the list of enhance Ford -> http://www.autoenginuity.com/Ford-All-Systems-List.html
 
If anyone has the Laptop version, I know how to ehhh, "share" it with the rest of the community! :D

I'd also maybe pay for a copy :D

And is there somewhere I can just get the USB adapter?

EDIT, yeah the adapter is $200, nevermind....
 
The SCT interface not only makes possible the alteration of the factory 'tune', it also makes it possible to check trouble codes and turn them off so that you don't have to look at the info coming out of the dash. It seems to me that the others mentioned here are professional garage equipment. I'm quite satisfied with my SCT.
KS
 
cammerfe said:
The SCT interface not only makes possible the alteration of the factory 'tune', it also makes it possible to check trouble codes and turn them off so that you don't have to look at the info coming out of the dash. It seems to me that the others mentioned here are professional garage equipment. I'm quite satisfied with my SCT.
KS
Click to expand...

+1

Depending on your tuner you can also adjust custom tunes.
 
well there is more to a Scan tool then just pulling DTC's when diagnosing problems
 
CrackerJack said:
If anyone has the Laptop version, I know how to ehhh, "share" it with the rest of the community! :D

I'd also maybe pay for a copy :D

And is there somewhere I can just get the USB adapter?

EDIT, yeah the adapter is $200, nevermind....
Click to expand...

Have you searched the communities that help you ehhh "share" other things?:D
 
as you know I also use the SCT stuff alot - but it does not have all the things my other tools have - nor was it ever intended to complete with the Autotaps, Autoenginuity, ...etc. Those tools can't do the tuning either - really targeted at different areas of the market.
 
cammerfe said:
The SCT interface not only makes possible the alteration of the factory 'tune', it also makes it possible to check trouble codes and turn them off so that you don't have to look at the info coming out of the dash. It seems to me that the others mentioned here are professional garage equipment. I'm quite satisfied with my SCT.
KS
Click to expand...

I've not heard of SCT. What is it and where can I find more info on it?

I'm really seriously looking at the AutoEnginuity with the Ford pack, but $400 might be out of my range. Does anyone know if can look up things like the keyless door code that I would normally have to pay the dealer for?
Thanks.

Tony
 
Does anyone know if the AutoEnginuity with the Ford pack will be able to look up the keyless door code? Thanks for your help.

Tony
 
probably not... The manufacturer only releases a little bit of info to the aftermarket... there is more a manufacturer scan tool can do then any scan tool the public can buy
 
autoenginuity's software is AWESOME, it is among the half dozen or so pieces of scan equipment we have at my shop. We currently employ all domestic factory scan tools, as well as a snap-on solous pro for asian and european vehicles. but the autoenginuity lap-top based software is almost identical to fords new IDS I recomend it 100%, and yes it can pull door codes, current software, mode six, active data monitoring, bi-directional support, the whole 9 yards
 
I assume that you're talking about the AutoEnginuity basic with the Ford ad-on. Do you know if they are planning on a module to tune the ecu?

Thanks again.

Tony
 
nope - AutoEnginuity is a dignostic and testing software only - SCT is the tuner.
 
This 'should' work for the generic stuff - although I have no personal experience with that one. The LS' PCM is a bit of a odd-ball for these tools.

if it was me - either go all out on the Autoenginuity/Autotap or go cheap on just a handheld reader. Doing a laptop based version that is only a generic reader/DTC clear seems clunky.
 
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