ODBII diagnosis

Post by **erikv11** » 11 Feb 2019, 13:41

No, a flash code reader can't reprogram the service light interval. A flash code reader is much more limited in scope, you can read about some of its capabilities in Sommerfeldt's link.

Post by **misha** » 11 Feb 2019, 13:46

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑11 Feb 2019, 13:03 ...The Author of 850 OBD-II developed it on a 4.3 equipped car ('97 850 2.4 10V)...

Motronic 4.3 management wasn't used in 10v cars.
10v cars use Siemens management.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 11 Feb 2019, 22:18

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑11 Feb 2019, 13:03 The Author of 850 OBD-II developed it on a 4.3 equipped car ('97 850 2.4 10V). It is only sometime in the last year that he gained access to a 4.4 equipped car and started adding the additional 4.4 stuff. It is a lot easier to use and one can do more with 850 OBD-II then one can do with a flash code reader. With 850 OBD-II one can reprogram the service light limits and test the gauges. Can you do that with a flash code reader?

Okay.
1: OP asked about flash code readers. I answered that.
2: Having ELM talk to the 850 is an absolute nightmare. I’d be surprised if this did anything at all, not to mention something for everyone.
3: Personally, I don’t have any android devices. It’s certainly not going to do more for me than a flash code reader. In fact, a flash code reader will do 100% more things for me than that app.

Tell me again what’s riling you up about someone answering the OP’s question(s)?

- S

Post by **abscate** » 12 Feb 2019, 04:46

I don't think anyone is riled up. Posts rarely reflect emotions of real conversation accurately.

Post by **Chuck W** » 12 Feb 2019, 13:18

So, I also have a '97 850 T5.
I recently had an issue with the same trouble codes as the OP, however they only showed up when it got pretty cold. The OP is in Texas, so I'm not sure how much ambient temperature has to do with it.

The cause of my issue turned out to be corrosion on the connector for the ECT sensor. This was after checking all of the typical "Stage 0" or general tune-up stuff (Plugs, wires, cap/rotor, etc). No idea what the OP has done , maintenance-wise to the car.

On the code readers. I built a flash reader for ECC code reading, but haven't used it for OBDII code reading. For that, I have a Bluetooth reader that I connect to my phone and either use the "Carista" app to read general codes, or the "850 OBD-II" app to clear the service light. My 97 T5 is an M4.3 car, but I've used the same reader for my wife's 97 GLT and my old 96 GLT (NA) (both M4.4 cars).

I used another app ("Torque"?) that would give out live readings of sensors, etc, but I think the "850 OBD-II" app does that as well.

Post by **misha** » 12 Feb 2019, 13:55

Those android apps are not accurate at all...they even tend to show non-existing codes in wrong modules...as it was shown with MVS member from France recently.
They are waste of time and they are misleading.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 12 Feb 2019, 15:05

Really? My torque pro app has never given me non-existing codes. Ive always been able to diagnose a CEL rather quickly after pulling codes and the live data read out is really nice for tracking trends in mileage and temperature. I was even able to monitor my emissions codes so I could get my inspection done without wasting my time wondering if I would have to "drive it around some more". I dont know about you but resetting the service light on the 1996 models is a major PITA, the (850 OBD-II) app is a godsend. Not to mention being able to pull mileage from the cluster when the odometer broke years ago.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 12 Feb 2019, 15:11

Sommerfeldt wrote: ↑11 Feb 2019, 22:18 Tell me again what’s riling you up about someone answering the OP’s question(s)?

Baseless Straw Man Argument. I never told you I was riled up and there is no rational reason for anybody to think I am. To tell the truth, it looks like you are projecting.

For a couple of members getting me riled up is wishful thinking. Hope your not planning to join that club. If you where you be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Post by **misha** » 12 Feb 2019, 15:34

ZionXIX wrote: ↑12 Feb 2019, 15:05 Really? I dont know about you but resetting the service light on the 1996 models is a major PITA, the (850 OBD-II) app is a godsend...

Yep!
Vol-Fcr is taking care of that in a blink.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 12 Feb 2019, 15:51

RickHaleParker wrote: ↑12 Feb 2019, 15:11 Baseless Straw Man Argument. I never told you I was riled up and there is no rational reason for anybody to think I am. To tell the truth, it looks like you are projecting.

For a couple of members getting me riled up is wishful thinking. Hope your not planning to join that club. If you where you be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Well, that’s not what a straw man argument is, but to me, it read like you were riled up. Still does. I also don’t really think that’s how projecting works...

Anyway, my point was that OP asked about flash tools, and that ELM is hit & miss for the 850. Some people get it to work, with the Torque app or other apps, some don’t. I’ve tried several times, and the best I could get was sporadic command line connectivity with pretty useless replies.
Can’t say I’ve seen erroneous communication like misha mentions, but with the difficulty in just getting that interface to work, I sure can’t discount it happening, either.

Blinky tools work every time. And not everyone have Android devices...

- S

ODBII diagnosis

Re: ODBII diagnosis