LF: OBD2 - Import - "Build your own kit"

Some info..

OBD-II is a standard, which means that Ford OBD-II is the same as Chevy OBD-II which is the same as BMW-OBD-II, which is the same as xxx OBD-II, so a scanner that is OBD-II compliant will work with any of your cars that are OBD-II compliant.

Now there are some manufacturer specific OBD-II codes and functions, but they are simply a software change, the connector, hardware, etc are the same.

OBD-I was not a standard so you need manufacturer specific hardware and software so you have to buy/build an OBD-I tool for your specific make of vehicle.

Sdelgran thank you for the link, I had not found anything cheap yet, only custom chips, or premade hardware. I will probabally place a digi-key order tomorrow.

Well guess its not ODB-II, he says it will only work on certain cars, so that means it is not obd-ii. obdii is a standard across all cars, so those makers must have had some obd-ii similar system before they had to convert.

This is what I use

http://obddiagnostics.com

I have been using this product for a while now and it works great!! ANY car I hook it up to (Ford, GM. Import) with OBD II it connects to and let's me moitor and clear engine codes. It was a cheaper alternative then going to a dealer every time my engine light came on.

All the info you can get from the site. The way I did it was to buy the printer circuit board and the partial parts kit and buy the rest at your local electronics store. You can also get a case to cover it all up.

Hope it helps

Stibby

[QUOTE]Originally posted by eugenen
[B]Some info..

OBD-II is a standard, which means that Ford OBD-II is the same as Chevy OBD-II which is the same as BMW-OBD-II, which is the same as xxx OBD-II, so a scanner that is OBD-II compliant will work with any of your cars that are OBD-II compliant.

Now there are some manufacturer specific OBD-II codes and functions, but they are simply a software change, the connector, hardware, etc are the same.


I dont think so. My 97 Toyota uses VPW OBD-II (96-97 Toyota). GM also uses VPW. Ford uses PWM. Chrysler uses ISO9141. Imports also uses ISO9141 (98-UP Toyota). If the only difference between all 3 specs is software then why do Autotap.com and OBD-2.com sell vehicle specific scanners? Even Sears sell GM only scanners and Ford only scanners. OBD-2.com has only 1 software for all their scanners. If what youre saying is true then why do OBD-2.com has many different scanners and only 1 software?

I'm not an expert, but I have been trying to learn more about obdi2 for some time now.

I know GM uses obdi2 and you can use any obdi2 reader as long as it has the appropriate connector. [different manufacturers use diff connectors, but many share the same one with the same pin outs]

I also know that GM has an "enhanced" obdi2, meaning in order to use the enhanced information, you need a obdi2 reader that is compatible with the enhanced info stream.

hope that clears up some, I'm still trying to find a GM enhanced reader that isnt $400.

Quote:

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Originally posted by mxxxxxm
I'm not an expert, but I have been trying to learn more about obdi2 for some time now.

I know GM uses obdi2 and you can use any obdi2 reader as long as it has the appropriate connector. [different manufacturers use diff connectors, but many share the same one with the same pin outs]

I also know that GM has an "enhanced" obdi2, meaning in order to use the enhanced information, you need a obdi2 reader that is compatible with the enhanced info stream.

hope that clears up some, I'm still trying to find a GM enhanced reader that isnt $400.

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I'm not an expert either and correct me if I'm wrong but GM is not the only one uses OBD-II. ALL cars made after Jan 96 and sold in the USA are OBD-II compliant. different manufacturers use different protocols. Thats why there are manufacturer specific readers out there. GM uses VPW. Most 96-97 Toyota also use VPW. Fords use PWM. Chrysler and most imports use ISO9141 protocol. Most 98 Toyota switch to ISO9141. You can find which protocol your car uses at http://www.obd-2.com/dlc.html As for the OBD-II connectors, they ALL uses the same 18 pin connecter. The pin positions are different from protocol to protocol. Thats why there are readers that will read all 3 protocols. I bought the all in one reader because my 97 Tacoma uses VPW and my Sieanna uses ISO9141. I was able to plug my reader in my friends' 99 Ranger and 98 Chevy silverado. You can get GM enhanced reader for less than $300 at www.autotap.com They also have a version that has LS1 engine management.

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Originally posted by cproaudio
I'm not an expert either and correct me if I'm wrong but GM is not the only one uses OBD-II. ALL cars made after Jan 96 and sold in the USA are OBD-II compliant. different manufacturers use different protocols. Thats why there are manufacturer specific readers out there. GM uses VPW. Most 96-97 Toyota also use VPW. Fords use PWM. Chrysler and most imports use ISO9141 protocol. Most 98 Toyota switch to ISO9141. You can find which protocol your car uses at http://www.obd-2.com/dlc.html As for the OBD-II connectors, they ALL uses the same 18 pin connecter. The pin positions are different from protocol to protocol. Thats why there are readers that will read all 3 protocols. I bought the all in one reader because my 97 Tacoma uses VPW and my Sieanna uses ISO9141. I was able to plug my reader in my friends' 99 Ranger and 98 Chevy silverado. You can get GM enhanced reader for less than $300 at www.autotap.com They also have a version that has LS1 engine management.

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http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/images/icons/icon14.gif

This is my understanding as well. Also, someone correct me if im wrong, but the "standard" for obd-II is in the hardware side of it, which is why the software/protocol differs (the gov said you will use this connector, and make it so that you can monitor X, Y, and Z hardware). Some scan tools have been writtent to understand any of the protocols or sub protocols (differnt years have different capabilities, im most familiar with the audi obd-ii, which has evolved since 96, so that you cant use a older scan tool with the newer (01+) cars), but the cheaper ones only do a specific protocol/sub protocol. And OBD-I is even less of a standard, its really a loose conglomoration of cars that had basic onboard diagnostics. No two will be alike (in terms of two different makes).

Just curious. For those who has the OBD-I or II, Please list year make model engine and engine load at idol. I have a 97 Toyota Tacoma 2WD V6. Engine load at idol is 17%.

17% seems a bit high for an idle.

My '97 Chevy Malibu V6 3.1L runs at about 3% load idling @ 500 RPMs. If I turn on the a/c it might go up to 4%. Even when flooring it going up a big hill I can't seem to get it to go above 80% @ 4500 RPMs.