elm 5 has the elm327 chip so whats different....

b_kennedy · 07-12-2009, 07:15 PM

Hi guys noob here. Looks a very interesting site and loving the project thread!!

I have an ELM327 which is great but was thinking about upgrading to ELM 5 so I can purchase SCANXL and hopefully be able to adjust some spec of ECU via the Ford Enhanced.

However from looking at the spec it seems that the ELM5 uses the ELM327 chipset, What is the actual difference then being as the SCANXL software wont work on the 327?

Is it possible to just upgrade the 327 chip or something to the 5 spec? Please try and keep the answers simple. I understand a bit about electrics but you guys are far much more advanced haha

Many thanks in advance for any help ;-)

malcom2073 · 07-12-2009, 08:48 PM

I believe (I may be wrong) that the elmscan tools are ELM327 compatible, but actually use a custom chip. This may allow it to have more features than the ELM327, which scanxl uses. Being as none of this is really documented I couldn't say for sure though but that seems likely.

PPE · 07-12-2009, 10:55 PM

Our ScanXL software fully supports the ELM327. I'm not sure what gave you the impression that it didn't work with an ELM327 chip, but it definitely works.

b_kennedy · 07-13-2009, 03:53 AM

Hi. Thanks guys. This is actually very interesting. The reason I ask is because I was googling my problem and came across a Ford forum and the guy had the same problem. However he said he had an elm327 1.2 and had tried pcmscan and scanxl with Ford add-on but it would not connect. His was an 02 plate Mondeo TDCi where as mine is a 2003 but I obviously don't want to pay for something that won't work.

This guy and I'm sure I read something on the palmer website about scanxl being elm 5 compatible. Will have another look shortly and post the link.

P.s. I love the look of the dump and drag facility. We are drag strip regulars and think this will prove invaluable for tuning. Do you just plug in computer and take car for a drive? I'm assuming it doesn't damage.

Thanks guys

PPE · 07-13-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by b_kennedy

P.s. I love the look of the dump and drag facility. We are drag strip regulars and think this will prove invaluable for tuning. Do you just plug in computer and take car for a drive? I'm assuming it doesn't damage.

Pretty much. You just have to make sure you are watching the road/drag strip and not the computer. It won't damage anything, as long as you have secured the computer in the vehicle properly so it won't hit the windshield when you slam on the brakes.

p2psmurf · 07-13-2009, 12:07 PM

In Europe diesels do not have to comply with any rules until 1 jan. 2004.
So Mondeo's Tdci from model year 2002 or 2003 do not have to communicate with EOBD/OBD2 scanners. If they do, you're lucky, if they don't, so be it.

Vitaliy · 07-13-2009, 08:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by b_kennedy

Hi guys noob here. Looks a very interesting site and loving the project thread!!

I have an ELM327 which is great but was thinking about upgrading to ELM 5 so I can purchase SCANXL and hopefully be able to adjust some spec of ECU via the Ford Enhanced.

However from looking at the spec it seems that the ELM5 uses the ELM327 chipset, What is the actual difference then being as the SCANXL software wont work on the 327?

Is it possible to just upgrade the 327 chip or something to the 5 spec? Please try and keep the answers simple. I understand a bit about electrics but you guys are far much more advanced haha

Many thanks in advance for any help ;-)

I think the confusion arises from the fact that the OEM version of ScanXL sold on scantool.net only works with the genuine ElmScan 5. The same applies to other software sold on scantool.net (e.g., ScanMaster).

As a high-volume reseller, ScanTool.net is able to get better deals from the software vendors. The savings (up to 40%) are then passed on to the customer. The catch is, you must buy genuine ScanTool.net hardware to take advantage of the savings.

Regarding the ELM327 clones. We are buying them regularly, and in general the quality is better than it was a year ago. However, they still have several inherent problems (besides not working with OEM software):

- You never know what you're going to get. Good units are mixed in with the bad. Two weeks ago we received a sample that conformed to the ELM327 v1.3a spec (the latest version as of this writing). Last week, we received two clones, one of which responded with 1.0 and the other one with 1.2a (very old firmware). Some clones we tested connect on all five protocols, some connect only on CAN or ISO.

- Poor quality and non-existent support. When you order an ELM327, besides the tool itself, you get a homemade mini CD with an old version of ScanTool.net software, and USB drivers. There is no CD menu, no quick start guide, and no means to get support.

This is an example of what you should expect to see when the CD loads:

Here are some screenshots from the ScanTool.net installation CD, for comparison:

In the last screenshot, you actually get a video preview of the software.

- Not all vehicles are created the same. ScanTool.net scan tools are engineered and programmed to work with all OBD-II vehicles, even the marginal cases. Our main competitive advantage in this area, stems from the fact that we are located in the US, and have access to a lot more vehicles than the engineers in China.

I understand that today, much of the OBD interface sales are price driven. This reality is driving our marketing and R&D efforts. However, it helps to remember that you get what you pay for. Too many people have bought duds and later had to switch to an ElmScan 5 anyway. As a matter of fact, we still give customers a $20 credit when they trade in their ELM327 clone.

Bottom line: research before you buy.

Vitaliy