Hardware Review: ElmScan 5 ODB-II scanner with StreetDeck

RedGTiVR6 · 12-27-2006, 11:46 AM

If you are interested in finding out more about OBD-II and if it is implemented in your vehicle, please see this information: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/engine-management-obd-ii-engine-diagnostics-etc/18656-what-obd-ii.html

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Wanting to further enhance the capabilities of my CarPC, I went ahead and went for the ElmScan5 avaliable here at the store.

To date, this is the only OBD-II scanner that's fully compatable with StreetDeck.

I've tested this for about 2 hours while driving our Supercharged Dakota R/T pick-up. I connected it to my laptop (which has StreetDeck installed) since the truck doesn't yet have a CarPC. The truck is a 1999. It's not very technologicaly advanced. The ECU that's actually in the truck is the Mopar performance ECU. It has some different fuel maps and timing curves programmed in it from the factory for better performance. On top of that, we're running a BTM (boost timing mmodule) from MSD. This unit will retard the timing for the motor based on the boost pressure it sees. This is a necessary module for our truck with the modifications we have done to it. We're also running a set of secondary injectors in the air hat to provide for extra fuel.

I mention all of this to note that the ElmScan was still able to pull information from the truck. Being that the ECU is older in terms of technology, and the truck doesn't have as many sensors as many newer vehicles, the full capabilities of StreetDeck and ElmScan couldn't be captured.

I took screen shots of just about every variable that could be graphed fom within StreetDeck.

The response is as to be expected from all of these. I checked the codes and didn't have any to clear, unfortunately for this refiew, fortunately for the truck!

The graphs are easy to read and easy to switch between as well. I would really get on the truck and the lag in response on the graphs was well within reason.

Perhaps, if I get a chance, I will go through and list off all of the graphs that StreetDeck can display.

JasonWW · 05-16-2007, 08:31 AM

Are those graphs unique to StreetDeck?

Did you try out the software that comes with it?

RedGTiVR6 · 05-16-2007, 08:55 AM

Those graphs are unique to StreetDeck (the look of them).

You can get the same information though from the program alone.

DrBytes · 08-14-2007, 05:13 PM

Can I read an 1995 e38 out with this thing?

RedGTiVR6 · 08-14-2007, 09:24 PM

Only if it's OBD-II compliant.

ojindia · 09-10-2007, 05:08 PM

Can OBD-II Get information from Mazda3 2006

RedGTiVR6 · 09-10-2007, 06:20 PM

I'd recomend you read here: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/engi...at-obd-ii.html

tek818 · 01-19-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

Perhaps, if I get a chance, I will go through and list off all of the graphs that StreetDeck can display.

Can you please do this? I am interested in purchasing this item.

maxxell · 02-18-2008, 02:41 PM

Any update on this?

RedGTiVR6 · 02-18-2008, 05:14 PM

The graphs that I can see are the following. However, since the vehicle I tested this is in older, I don't know if all of them are polled by the ElmScan device.

Calculated Load
Coolant Temp Fuel
Trim Bank 1
Fuel Trim Bank 2
Fuel Trim Bank 3
Fuel Trim Bank 4
Fuel Pressure
Manifold Pressure
RPM Speed
Timing Advance
Intake Air Temp
MAF Absolute
Throttle Sensor
O2 Sensor Bank 1, Sensor 1
O2 Sensor Bank 1, Sensor 2
O2 Sensor Bank 1, Sensor 3
O2 Sensor Bank 1, Sensor 4
O2 Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 1
O2 Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 2
O2 Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 3
O2 Sensor Bank 2, Sensor 4
Distance Traveled with MIL On
Relative Fuel Pressure
Fuel Pressure High
O2S1 WR Lambda
O2S2 WR Lambda
O2S3 WR Lambda
O2S4 WR Lambda
O2S5 WR Lambda
O2S6 WR Lambda
O2S7 WR Lambda
O2S8 WR Lambda
CMD EGR
EGR Error
Evap %
Fuel Level
Warm Ups
Distance Since Codes Cleared
Evap. System Vapor Pressure
Barometric Pressure
O2S1 WRa Lambda
O2S2 WRa Lambda
O2S3 WRa Lambda
O2S4 WRa Lambda
O2S5 WRa Lambda
O2S6 WRa Lambda
O2S7 WRa Lambda
O2S8 WRa Lambda
Cat Temperature 1 1
Cat Temperature 2 1
Cat Temperature 1 2
Cat Temperature 2 2
Control Module Voltage
Absolute Load Value
Commanded Equiv Ratio
Relative Throttle Position A
Ambient Air Temp
Absolute Throttle Position B
Absolute Throttle Position C
Accelerator Pedal Position D
Accelerator Pedal Position E
Accelerator Pedal Position F
Commanded Throttle Actuator Control
Minutes Running Engine while MIL On
Time Since Trouble Codes Cleared

maxxell · 02-18-2008, 05:49 PM

While we're at it, how does the install go with the ElmScan? I've been running Streetdeck for a while, and just ordered the ElmScan from the mp3car store. What software does it come with? I dont see much by the way of documentation other than this thread.

Do I just plug it in and Streetdeck recognizes the device?

IF you're logging data, do you just leave this thing plugged into your obd-ii port at all times? Can it handle car & carputer startup/shutdown if plugged in at all times?

RedGTiVR6 · 02-18-2008, 07:10 PM

Download the driver and install it.

You can also get the ElmScan software for free from the ElmScan web site.

maxxell · 02-26-2008, 11:32 AM

Red,

How did you get the hardware working with Streetdeck? I plugged it in and the Scantool.net software can get information, but Streetdeck keeps throwing me errors. It shows "Connecting..." at the top of the screen for 10-15 second or so, then says it cannot connect.

I also notice that on the Elmscan itself, the power light is red when all plugged in. Once I hit connect, that light goes green, but that's it. When using scantool.net, the power light goes green but then the tx and rx lights start flickering.

Edit: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/stre...treetdeck.html
Looks like I'm not the only one.

maxxell · 03-25-2008, 10:42 AM

*** READ ME BEFORE BUYING THIS DEVICE ***
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/tracker.php?itemid=76

wonderworm · 04-12-2008, 01:38 PM

I wish to use an ODBII reader with my carputer and software to double as a scanguage so I can read real-time MPG values while driving.

Can this be accomplished with this device and the proper software?