ELM Software for the workshop owner?

**hakno** · 08-11-2009, 04:21 PM

Hi guys!

My first thread at this forum.

I live in Sweden and own a very small workshop. I work on a majority of cars, mostly european and in particular Swedish and German cars. Doing service related work and also electrical troubleshooting.

I bought a Elmscan 5 USB for about two years ago and have used this to read troublecodes together with freeware software. This is no longer acceptable for me, as I miss out on several car manufacturers, for instance Saab.

What i need is a software (or new scanner?) that first of all reads and clears troublecodes but also can clear the service light on basically as many wehicles as possible but mainly Volvo, Saab, Audi and VW. I don´t care much for gauges and other fancy addons.

I would seriously appreciate some input on this. I´d rather pay to get a decent software (and scanner) than using half-functioning freeware.

Best regards
hakno
Sweden

**Vitaliy** · 08-12-2009, 02:11 AM

Hakno,

As far as I know, many vehicles support resetting the service light without the help of a scan tool (push the gas pedal three times while holding a button on the dashboard, etc).

The thing about the service light is that it's not part of "generic" OBD. Manufacturers don't have to follow a standard, so each make has its own way of resetting it.

Vitaliy

**p2psmurf** · 08-12-2009, 02:21 AM

Have a look at professional scanners like Lauch or Carmanscan.
Carmanscan: www.detc.nl
Launch: http://www.x431.com/

**hakno** · 08-12-2009, 04:16 AM

Thanks for your replies!

So, I won´t be able to clear the service light with my Elmscan 5, regardless of software?

A full out proffessional OBD reader is not in my budget at the moment, I think I have to settle for my Elmscan. Do you have any input on software?

I have searched the internet and found some different sofware that works with the ELM327 chip and USB, but I would like to get some reccomendations from you guys? Compability is my first priority and European cars is the most common in my workshop.

/Hakke

**hakno** · 08-12-2009, 04:24 AM

Maybe I should put it like this, what are my options besides Scanmaster software?

/Hakke

**p2psmurf** · 08-12-2009, 12:25 PM

Buy VCDS (Vag-com www.ross-tech.com), it is almost dealer level for Audi/Vw/Skoda/Seat.
It also has an EOBD mode which is reasonable up to date.
Only 1 downside: No SAE J1850 support, which means no Fords, Jaguars, GM Usa and some Opel Frontera's.
However, it does support the Can-protocol which is mandatory from 1st jan. 2008 also for Ford, Jaguar and all the others.

**hakno** · 08-12-2009, 01:31 PM

Thanks for your reply, I already have VAG.com and is quite satisfied with it. It´s only a cheap interface but it works fine for my needs at the moment.

Eventually I must buy a scantool of workshop level but for now I would like to get by with Elmscan 5 and my vag.com.

So, any suggestions on software for my Elmscan??

/Hakke

**p2psmurf** · 08-13-2009, 02:26 AM

Get one that supports mode 0A (Decimal 10) for OBD2/EOBD.
This is a new mode which shows you "Permanent DTC's". These DTC's cannot be cleared with mode 4 and can only be cleared by the ecu itself after repairs.
Of course, when a permanent DTC is present the MIL will be lit.