Comments on: Bring Real-Time Engine/Computer Data To Your Dashboard http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:49:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Nate Bezanson http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-112142 Nate Bezanson Sat, 01 Sep 2007 11:00:04 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-112142 Adam, the guy didn't know what he was talking about. The embedded computer is designed to communicate while the engine is running, for a variety of reasons. The ScanGauge and other instruments are designed to operate while the car is on the road, offering live display of engine and drivetrain conditions, and in some cases, letting you edit the operating parameters in real time. I've spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel, while my friend Chris sat in the passenger seat with a TECH-2 plugged into my car. Manually locking up the torque-converter clutch is a hilarious way to chirp the tires on any grocery-getter's 1-2 shift, though it's hard on the tranny. Whatever you do, stay out of the "airbag test" menu. (We did make our way to an empty parking lot to play with the antilock brake solenoid test menu, but it refused to operate unless the gearshift was in Park. Oh well.) Adam, the guy didn’t know what he was talking about. The embedded computer is designed to communicate while the engine is running, for a variety of reasons. The ScanGauge and other instruments are designed to operate while the car is on the road, offering live display of engine and drivetrain conditions, and in some cases, letting you edit the operating parameters in real time.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel, while my friend Chris sat in the passenger seat with a TECH-2 plugged into my car. Manually locking up the torque-converter clutch is a hilarious way to chirp the tires on any grocery-getter’s 1-2 shift, though it’s hard on the tranny. Whatever you do, stay out of the “airbag test” menu. (We did make our way to an empty parking lot to play with the antilock brake solenoid test menu, but it refused to operate unless the gearshift was in Park. Oh well.)

]]> By: Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Toolmonger’s Top 5: The Week In Tools http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111935 Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Toolmonger’s Top 5: The Week In Tools Fri, 31 Aug 2007 22:49:41 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111935 [...] Bring Real-Time Engine/Computer Data To Your Dashboard The ScanGuage II can clear pesky check engine lights in your rig, but you can also set it up to as a dash-mounted data tracking computer that measures everything from throttle position to airflow.  Check out the post for details. [...] [...] Bring Real-Time Engine/Computer Data To Your Dashboard The ScanGuage II can clear pesky check engine lights in your rig, but you can also set it up to as a dash-mounted data tracking computer that measures everything from throttle position to airflow.  Check out the post for details. [...]

]]> By: Nordmann http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111735 Nordmann Fri, 31 Aug 2007 12:03:09 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111735 What kind of lame statement is "destroy the computer"? Its not really a computer in the since of the one your using to read this, its dedicated hardware that is monitoring systems. I have no proof to say it won't "destroy the computer" but I wouldn't worry about it. If a company is making a device to be connected to the computer at all times then its unlikely it will break anything. I think the bluetooth model linked to by Adam is pretty cool. I could go for one of those. What kind of lame statement is “destroy the computer”? Its not really a computer in the since of the one your using to read this, its dedicated hardware that is monitoring systems. I have no proof to say it won’t “destroy the computer” but I wouldn’t worry about it. If a company is making a device to be connected to the computer at all times then its unlikely it will break anything.

I think the bluetooth model linked to by Adam is pretty cool. I could go for one of those.

]]> By: Adam http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111510 Adam Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:45:37 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111510 I was told by a quickie-lube mechanic (yes, contridiction in terms, i know) that using an OBDII scanner on a car while the car was driving would "destroy the computer". While I have known of several products designed to do that that have been out since the late 90s, I've never heard, or found, any evidince that that is true in ANY OBDII car. Has anyone heard anything / experianced anything like that? Even a story told by a friend-of-a-friend of the guy who had the problem? I've been drooling over a laptop-based OBDII scanner / black box-type hardware/software combo for a few years. I think i'm going to break down and buy it now. something like <a href="http://www.obdkey.com/vehiclediagnostics.asp" rel="nofollow">this</a>. I was told by a quickie-lube mechanic (yes, contridiction in terms, i know) that using an OBDII scanner on a car while the car was driving would “destroy the computer”. While I have known of several products designed to do that that have been out since the late 90s, I’ve never heard, or found, any evidince that that is true in ANY OBDII car.

Has anyone heard anything / experianced anything like that? Even a story told by a friend-of-a-friend of the guy who had the problem?

I’ve been drooling over a laptop-based OBDII scanner / black box-type hardware/software combo for a few years. I think i’m going to break down and buy it now. something like this.

]]> By: Dan http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111419 Dan Thu, 30 Aug 2007 19:44:33 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111419 Anything similar for OBD I engines? Anything similar for OBD I engines?

]]> By: Rick http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111283 Rick Thu, 30 Aug 2007 12:08:20 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111283 I have had one for a few months. Wonderful little tool. Pays for it's self witht he first check engine light. It takes atank or 2 to get the MPG calibrated. definitely reccomend for a motorhead/eco friendly/car with problems. Only for 1996 and later cars. I have had one for a few months. Wonderful little tool. Pays for it’s self witht he first check engine light. It takes atank or 2 to get the MPG calibrated. definitely reccomend for a motorhead/eco friendly/car with problems. Only for 1996 and later cars.

]]> By: Piett http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111015 Piett Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:57:27 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2007/08/29/bring-real-time-enginecomputer-data-to-your-dashboard/#comment-111015 I have had one of these for almost a year now. It's great I use the autmotive computer on a daily basis and the scan gauge has help me diagnose a few hundred dollars worth of minor fixes. They often turn up on auto club forums as group buys and you can snag one for as low as $130. I have had one of these for almost a year now. It’s great I use the autmotive computer on a daily basis and the scan gauge has help me diagnose a few hundred dollars worth of minor fixes.

They often turn up on auto club forums as group buys and you can snag one for as low as $130.

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