Any Code reader recomendations?

[ScottA]

I am looking to buy a stand alone code reader for my 2001 NB. Something that shows code meanings and or values would be nice.Does any one have some 1st hand knowledge with one that they would recomend ?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

If you have $169 you can part with, I just got one of these www.scangauge.com and it is awesome.

[snakebit]

If you have $169 you can part with, I just got one of these www.scangauge.com and it is awesome.Hey Tom, where did you mount yours?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

On the steering column just in front of the dash.

[ScottA]

Tom :

Did you have room to close the fuse box lid ,with the OBD2 plug from the scan gauge in place ? I have heard of issues on some models ,but not sure what year models they pretain to.

[lds2002black]

Can't put the cover back on in my 2002 ... yet. May try to move the OBD connector when I do the supercharger install.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

For want of a nail......

For want of probably less than 1/8" it won't go back on. That's OK. You can't see anything. I routed tge cabl out tge back of the fuse box, up over the steering column anout the crack in the steering column under tray. Totally concealed.

Looks great. Easy to glance at whike driving and really easy to change what is monitored.

[dazooom]

Here's a link on how to mount the scangauge by relocating the air bag switch: http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=231398&highlight=scan+gauge

[ScottA]

Thanks for the great info on the install - I think that is the way I will go.

[Digitac]

I ordered a ScanGaugeII the other day, and while waiting for it to arrive, I realized a lot of the data it provides might not be accurate for us. Granted I don't know how it calculates everything, but with PC-Pro's in the loop, the ECU (and hence ODBII port) is ignorant of a lot of the goings on.
For instance, TPS will read 99 whenever we touch boost. Any fuel related stuff won't see all of the fuel from the E-Cool injector. If it uses duty cycle on the injectors for anything, that will be off as well.
I was looking forward to programming a HP gauge like they list on their website, but now I doubt it will read actual power numbers. I'm still going to keep it though, looks like a cool device and it will still work fine in my Jeep.

Any feedback Tom? How much of the data you get from it is accurate?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

As long as you are not in boost, the info is just as accurate as it would be on a stock engine. In boost, the TPS will read high. If you have the timing card, the timing will be correct off bost but will read high by what you pull. For example, if you are pulling 2* and you are in boost and it reports 24*, the actual is 22*. Everything else is un-touched.

[ScottA]

I see on the scan gauge wep site that it will show engine timing. My question is , on the NB with the OEM nock control ,will you see the timing change if knock is present on the Scan gauge ? My car is a 2001 and I have never heard any ping , no matter how hard I try and I have tried. I am not sure if it is my hearing that is bad or maybe the stock knock sensor is taking care of it. Which ever it is I would like to know. The snow is backing up around here and I am getting the bug to dig the little beast out and have some fun. I was also wondering how much the 91 octane has deteriorated when parked for the last 4 months. I did add Stabil to the fuel before I put it into hibernation, but I am not sure if that preserves the octane or just keeps it from turning to varnish. I do have some torko around if I need it.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Yes. A good way to, tell if there is knock on boost is by watching the timing on the ScanGauge. Normal is 21-23* on boost. If there is knock, it will drop off accordingly.

Note: If you have our timing card, it will not show up on the scan gauge. We pull timing after the fact and the ECU doesn't know it so the ScanGauge doesn't know it.

[ScottA]

Tom:
I just got the ScanGauge II by UPS the other day. You were right when you said { AWESOME } ,Its hard to believe that litle device can give you that much information. Thank you for pointing it out to me.!!!! Great little tool !!!!!!!!:yes:

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

If you go online at www.scangauge.com (http://www.scangauge.com), you will find the xgauge commands (http://www.scangauge.com/support/pdfs/XGAUGE.pdf). It is awesome that you can add even more things to monitor. HP is kind of fun. You can watch and see how many HP it takes as you are driving down the road and up and down hills. All I want for Christmas from them is another input that I can program to monitor grams of air from the MAF and barometric pressure. Ron Delong from SG didn't sound too promising about getting it soon. :(

Maybe more of you should request those things (hint hint). I told hi it was for a Mazda but probably should have just said for ISO as I thin Mazda uses the ISO protocall?

[ThomS]

Tom Just oredered this product. Still think it is awesome?
You think it will help answer any questions if I get a code ?

[Tink]

Tom Just oredered this product. Still think it is awesome?
You think it will help answer any questions if I get a code ?

I have one, mounted exactly as Tom describes, with the exception, I cut the fuse box cover slightly.

The codes can be displayed and cleared if you want. No written description. Handy, easy to use, a great tool.

It's my understanding the older gauges can be upgraded and show all kinds of interesting things, including O2! I have not updated mine, keep forgetting.

http://www.scangauge.com/support/pdfs/XGAUGE.pdf

If you just ordered one, I will be interested in hearing if it displays the O2 reading.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Thom, I still love my ScanGauge. It is great and I can look at multiple variables as I drive. The part I like the most is water temperature. Beats that dumb gauge on the dash. However, it lacks the ability to tell you what the freeze frame variables were when the CEL occurred. That would be real handy to have. I have another device I can connect to my laptop when I really need that data. Right now all I use the ScanGauge for is monitoring variables and resetting that EGR CEL I keep getting. It hinks my EGR valve is defective. I wish there was a way to tell the ECU that my EGR valve is on the shelf in the garage and not defective. :)

Tink, how long ago did you buy yours? The new version has been around a long time. You probably don't need to update your software, just add/program those other items. I did and it takes only a couple minutes to do, once you figure out the instructions.

[ROZ]

Why are they telling me it won't work with my '96?
Have you checked out the bluetooth version that allows logging onto PC?

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

No idea. It should work with 96 and newer OBD2 cars.

Haven't seen the new one.

Roz, are we talking about the www.ScanGauge.com unit?

[ROZ]

Roz, are we talking about the www.ScanGauge.com unit?

Yesiree Tom

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Well, it says right on the front page

"Works On 1996 or Newer Vehicles
Including: Gas, Diesel, Propane and
Hybrid Vehicles"

But I don't see anything about infrared data logging?

[ThomS]

I have one, mounted exactly as Tom describes, with the exception, I cut the fuse box cover slightly.

The codes can be displayed and cleared if you want. No written description. Handy, easy to use, a great tool.

It's my understanding the older gauges can be upgraded and show all kinds of interesting things, including O2! I have not updated mine, keep forgetting.

http://www.scangauge.com/support/pdfs/XGAUGE.pdf

If you just ordered one, I will be interested in hearing if it displays the O2 reading.

Thanks for the info, I will let you know how it is.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

WOW. They have added O2 for the ISO version. I will HAVE to add that one. Just for the record, we can only use the ISO XGAUGE features. I tried one of the other versions and it doesn't work. I should go up and read that from time to time I guess. The one I really wish he would add is the MAF reading. Everybody send him an email requesting ISO MAF reading. Maybe if enough of us ask, he will do it?

scangauge@linear-logic.com

[ROZ]

But I don't see anything about infrared data logging?

No Bluetooth, straight to your PC or PDA :online2long:

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Well, I didn't find anything on Bluetooth???? Must be my myopic eyes?

Thom, I take back my earlier comment. I found this while looking for "Bluetooth". "Reads conditions that set the Trouble Code" It will be a GREAT help in troubleshooting. Now I will just have to read up on where to find that info. I didn't know it could do that?

[Tink]

Tink, how long ago did you buy yours? The new version has been around a long time. You probably don't need to update your software, just add/program those other items. I did and it takes only a couple minutes to do, once you figure out the instructions.

Instructions are for wimps!!

Actually mine is 2 to 3 years old, I think I need to do the $25 update. I believe the instructions are somewhere near my car. I will check this weekend.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

My hero. A real man. Just sa no to instructions and directions. :)

[ROZ]

Well, I didn't find anything on Bluetooth???? Must be my myopic eyes?

Sorry mate, missed out the link. D'oh!
http://www.obdspy.com/Products/BT/bt_327_en.html

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Ah. Not the ScanGauge. Different device.

[ROZ]

Same company and looks like the same functionality (if you have a compatible car...:frown:) albeit via a PC or PDA.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

Well, there is a company called Telematica that you linked to and they sell the ScanGauge and other products and the other products have wireless communications BUT I don't believe the ScanGauge (www.ScanGauge.com) does. The wireless info comes from "OBD2 SPY" which is a separate module to lplug into the OBD2 port and talk to your Bluetooth device.

[ROZ]

The wireless info comes from "OBD2 SPY" which is a separate module to lplug into the OBD2 port and talk to your Bluetooth device.

That's the puppy. After looking at the websites Telematica must be the main EU distributors. Their Scangauge website is EXACTLY the same as the US one except for € instead of $.

[Tom @ Fast Forward]

OBD2 Spy also says "Coming Soon".

[ThomS]

Tom you were right again. The scangauge is AWESOME.

[ROZ]

Go on. Rub it in!
:no: