Elmscan 5 OBD II scan tool!

Post by **kelvin6** » 06 Jul 2007, 22:02

I've bought a new OBDII scan tool lately, called the ElmScan 5. Came in the mail yesterday and today I took it for a spin with my laptop! This is almost like a dream come true, using a computer to log data, view real time status of the car's sensors, and be fed with more information than I possible want to think about when driving

!

http://www.scantool.net/

I even purposely set off a check engine light just to have it read the car's ECU and clear it (pulled off the MAF cable). Very capable tool, and I highly recommend for anyone who has a laptop or a Palm or Pocket PC PDA!
The best part is that the software for this tool is free and there are many out there. I spent over a year looking for this kind of tool and can't believe I never stumbled upon it. Highly recommended for our Volvos and more! It is multi protocol everything from our Volvos to the latest new cars!

My car is a 1995 850 and yes it does have the OBDII port and it works!

Yes, i'm just like a curious george, I have to see whats inside:

Unfortuantly I don't have any pics of what it shows on the laptop, because i'm already driving, looking at laptop (I know its bad, but i'm waiting to get it running on my Palm PDA for easier viewing), and trying to take a pic while doing at that? Probably a bad idea. Look at the website's software and that'll give you a screenshot or two. There are many other software listed on that site that are compatible.

Best $120 I ever spend on the car so far!

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 07 Jul 2007, 15:34

Thanks for the info I've been wanting something like that. On their site they show 2 units one for $60 and one for $120 and I can't see what the more expensive one does that the cheaper one doesn't.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 07 Jul 2007, 17:03

I think the more expensive one will read CAN codes and the cheaper one won't but I'm working on memory.

I am on a quest to get the software commands and responses so that I can write some software to make that chipset replicate a Volvo Scan Tool. The P codes, by law, are very public but the rest of the codes are very well hidden from public view.

...Lee

Post by **matthew1** » 07 Jul 2007, 17:36

Ozark Lee wrote:I am on a quest to get the software commands and responses so that I can write some software to make that chipset replicate a Volvo Scan Tool. The P codes, by law, are very public but the rest of the codes are very well hidden from public view.

Nice! Let me know if you need any support. I can create a temp. forum just for this, and solicit public knowledge by putting up some notices at the top of MVS pages/front page. I can help make it a "public project". Let me know.

Nice post Kelvin. Thanks for the recommendation. This tool sounds like a winner.

Post by **kelvin6** » 07 Jul 2007, 20:08

If you download the datasheets for the ELM323 you can easily build your own scantool, the datasheet shows the exact schematic that was used by the scantool guys to build the ElmScan ISO (classic edition)!

I was going to build it, but then realized that I probably should look ahead and get something that can do newer cars as well, for future purposes.

I did look into building my own version of the ElmScan 5, but after reading the datasheet and the schematic, I realized is something I rather buy, instead of build, due to complexity. The Elmscan 5 is based on the ELM327 chip, so look for that datasheet on the site.

It would be interesting if this ELM chip based interface can be used to emulate the Volvo Scan Tool, just like what VAG-COM did for VW cars.

franklom · Post by **franklom** » 08 Jul 2007, 22:11

I bought the USB version (no serial port on my laptop) and am pretty happy with it. No problems with my Volvo but used it to read an error code and reset the Check Engine light on my Explorer. The stock free software that comes with it is OK but some advanced features are locked out in the free version. Would really like to have a program that allows to read the "freeze frame" data. Also, I have the Vadis program and can't get it to take readings. I suspect it's because my USB connection shows up as Com 5 and most likely Vadis is looking for Com 1. I don't see any way to change configuration settings in Vadis. Anyone have a clue or have any success using a reader with Vadis?

daschick · Post by **daschick** » 10 Jul 2007, 01:51

Just ordered one (ElmScan 5 USB Scan Tool) and will try XP via Parallels 3.0 on MacOS 10.4.9.

Post by **kelvin6** » 10 Jul 2007, 17:35

There is a MAC program to use with the ElmScan5 interface, called pyOBD or something like that, check out the www.scantool.net website.

While you're there, check out the forum for more information. It also gives a reason why not to buy similiar 'fake' Elmscan tools (ELM327).

I'm slowly realizing the potential of this tool, especially for fuel economy and performance tuning, because of the ability to see in real time, sensor readings. Examples include air flow comparing a intake mod to stock and reading the MAF sensor data (in lbs of air per minute), seeing if certain coolant additives really cool the better or not using the coolant temperture sensor readings, and even using the oxygen sensor readings to determine if I am running rich or lean (like a air/fuel mixture gauge).

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 15 Jul 2007, 19:21

Also the same problem of not being able to turn off the service light without a tool applies to '98 70 series Volvo's as well.