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Topic: OBDII reader (Read 876 times) previous topic - next topic

OBDII reader

Are they useful? Or just a toy?

What brand/model do you like? Thanks.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #1 –
Royce,

I have a Innova canOBD2&1 scan tool Innova - Welcome to Innova - Diagnostics Made Easy  . It works great on our vehicles before a smog check. I used the supplied adapters to connect to our Detroit 6V-92TA but could not get any information from the DDEC II ECU. So many very inexpensive bluetooth adapters are made now to send info WiFi to a iPad but can't find one reasonable for the Detroit. There is one but instead of $12, it's hundreds of $$$. The app is free at the Apple app store.

Pierce

 
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #2 –
Here is a link to the info and link to the app store: RV Techtools  Hopefully, someone will market a reasonable bluetooth sender.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #3 –

I am looking at two at amazon.com:

BAFX Products - Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool - For check engine light & diagnostics

Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles:

But since I know nothing about these devices, I don't know how to judge them.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Royce & Denise, MC #17410
'01 U320 4220 ISM450 Build #5895 SOLD
Toad: '10 Honda CR-V

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. - Gustave Flaubert

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #4 –
When my Jeep gave me a "check engine" light and stopped running two weeks ago I decided it was time to buy an OBD code reader. I bought this one at Harbor Freight:

CAN & OBD II Professional Scan Tool

The nice thing about it is that I don't have to look up what the codes mean; the device tells me. The downside is that sometimes what the codes mean can be difficult to figure out so you have to search for the real problem.

For instance, my problem was P0340 "Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction". But where was the problem?

Turned out that the camshaft position sensor on my Jeep is in the distributor cap and you have to remove the rotor to get to it (looks like a flat plate). Once it was out and unplugged a simple $66 part fixed the problem.

What I really want is a reader that doesn't just tell me the code's meaning but buys the part and replaces it. :P

But for $119 it's a handy device. Even if it's useless on my U225 (no computer).

Craig

1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #5 –
Pierce - Craig,

Will this device work for your coach? U300 etc GV
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #6 –
John,

No, Craig's reader won't work. Need a dedicated plug/interface for the computer controlled diesels. Lots of Cummins customers out there and most Prevosts and Wanderlodges/Blue Birds have 2 cycle Detroits in them so expect something reasonable will arrive in not to distant future. All RVs with ECUs have the plug under the dash on the far left side. Usually has a removable cover so you have to look a bit. Some users are putting an iPad over the instrument panel and using it full time for all readings including speedometer and tach.

Silverleaf is nice but other vehicles utilize a very inexpensive bluetooth interface and then use their iPad or Android without much of an investment.

What is nice about the OBD readers is there is usually a forum with the most likely culprit for the code you read. Makes repairs a lot easier and on mine, it has different LEDs to indicate whether the vehicle will pass, has a problem but may pass or won't pass smog.

There were 82 BlueBird/Wanderlodges at Quartzsite and a lot had migrated over to Death Valley when we were there earlier in the week. Was old home week for 2 cycle lovers. I was surprised how heavy they are. Was quoted 45,000 GVW on the one I asked about.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #7 –
Pierce,

So nothing works on the C8.3? 1994
The selected media item is not currently available.
My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #8 –
John,

Do you have a computer controlled engine? If so, go to this PDF supplied by Silverleaf and check for the connector you may have against the examples in the PDF: http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/files/J1708-J1939%20Diagnostic%20Connectors_0.pdf  Don't know if anyone else has a product like Silverleaf for the Cummins yet. Can't be that hard if you are OBD or CAN savvy as a Prevost owner made his own for a Detroit DDEC and put it on the market along with an Apple approved app (free).

Nice to be able to read out the turbo pressure as a clogged air cleaner or cracked or damaged exhaust manifold can really bring down the power. With lower turbo pressure, the DDEC (our engine's computer) cuts back the fuel if it does not see normal boost pressure. We had a bad restriction gauge on our U300 when we bought it and only after replacing it and the air cleaner, did it really start to fly. If I could have read the boost pressure on the instrument panel from the start, I could have caught it right away. Just one example of the advantages to having the information in front of you.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #9 –
When I unhooked my towed MDX in Quartzsite, the check engine light started intermittently light up. I called my mechanic, who told me not to worry if the car drove ok, and get a cheap odb-ii scanner when I got home. When I got home the trouble was one bank running rich due to a dirty air filter.

I went on eBay and bought a $8.99 elm327 Bluetooth scanner, and downloaded torque pro for $4.99 for my smartphone. Now I will know what code is being sent and what it means. I can also clear faults and pre-scan before going in for a smog check. If that is not enough, I can keep it logging and see my route traveled and speeds on a map, all while keeping a video record through the windshield.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Tom Lang –
When I unhooked my towed MDX in Quartzsite, the check engine light started intermittently light up. I called my mechanic, who told me not to worry if the car drove ok, and get a cheap odb-ii scanner when I got home. When I got home the trouble was one bank running rich due to a dirty air filter. Oddly enough I had to tell him to check the air filter as here was scratching his head.

I went on eBay and bought a $8.99 elm327 Bluetooth scanner, and downloaded torque pro for $4.99 for my smartphone. Now I will know what code is being sent and what it means. I can also clear faults and pre-scan before going in for a smog check. If that is not enough, I can keep it logging and see my route traveled and speeds on a map, all while keeping a video record through the windshield.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #11 –
Tom,

Excellent example that you don't have to spent a fortune to get answers. We just need the same capabilities for our big diesels without breaking the bank.

Thanks for the Nook root tip. Downloaded it onto a SD card and run it off that now. Will install internally when the warranty is up.
Agree with you that the processor is a bit slow for the bigger screen but gets the job done for $109 delivered. Not in the same league as an iPad, especially since iOS 7 has been jailbroken but works well for everything including as a GPS with Sygic (or TomTom) installed.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #12 –
My 97 does not have the nine pin necessary to work with the silverleaf and an iPad.  You know of some way to connect my coach to mt iPad?

Thanks bob
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #13 –
Bob,

Suggest you look at what you have compared to the PDF in the above post and then try and get an adapter if needed to work with Siverleaf. Has to be a plug hidden somewhere. The driver's seat does a good job of making everything hard to get to. Easy to remove it thought. You probably have a Deutsch six or 9 pin plug under the dash or also in the engine compartment. The Allison will probably have a rectangular 12 pin plug. If you can't find an adapter, there are only five wires needed if I remember correctly and the right plug can be purchased and wired into the harness. A lot of information is available at the Silverleaf site or give them a call. I'm sure lots of others have been in the same situation. Other RV forums may be a good source on how to do it.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: OBDII reader

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Bob,

Suggest you look at what you have compared to the PDF in the above post and then try and get an adapter if needed to work with Siverleaf. Has to be a plug hidden somewhere. The driver's seat does a good job of making everything hard to get to. Easy to remove it thought. You probably have a Deutsch six or 9 pin plug under the dash or also in the engine compartment. The Allison will probably have a rectangular 12 pin plug. If you can't find an adapter, there are only five wires needed if I remember correctly and the right plug can be purchased and wired into the harness. A lot of information is available at the Silverleaf site or give them a call. I'm sure lots of others have been in the same situation. Other RV forums may be a good source on how to do it.

Pierce

The silverleaf guys after waiting several years did not make a program to run with other than the j1393 and an iPad.

The six pin with four actually used will only run with adapters on a PC setup.  Bummer. 

Wife wants her old sony all in one desktop to go in the coach.  Hmmm the silverleaf will work with the windows machine.  Big....

Anyone have the silverleaf parts to connect the six pin to a PC?

Bob

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4