Elmscan ISO USB OBDII Scanner - LotusTalk

300hpMR2 · 04-25-2009, 03:47 PM

Anyone use this on their car?

I just bought one off of Ebay for less than $60. I let you know if it works.

300hpMR2 · 04-27-2009, 02:08 PM

Due to incredibly fast shipping, I got my Elmscan today. So I quickly installed the software and drivers and tested it on my Exige and my Avalon. It appears to work on my Lotus but so far I can't seem to get it to link to my Avalon.

I don't have any current MIL's on the Lotus so I can't really see how well the scanner works. But some of the real time parameters (like coolant temperature) that you can follow do have readings while the engine is not running.

I'll keep testing it and give another update.

BTW, this unit does not appear to be a true USB unit. I believe it is uses a serial to USB adapter judging from the drivers and the presence of a serial plug on one end of it.

charliex · 04-27-2009, 02:34 PM

the elm chips are all RS232/serial, so you'd always see a serial<>usb conversion going on for the usb versions.

300hpMR2 · 04-27-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliex

the elm chips are all RS232/serial, so you'd always see a serial<>usb conversion going on for the usb versions.

any opinion on the elm chips? i bought because it was cheap and appeared to do as much as an actron unit close to 3x its price.

charliex · 04-27-2009, 03:35 PM

they're ok, cheap and cheerful and they are in a lot of interfaces, they don't work on 1mbps CAN but hardly anyone uses that anyway.

the software that they connect to is the bit to really care about, palmer performance pcmscan is the common one these days.

300hpMR2 · 04-27-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliex

they're ok, cheap and cheerful and they are in a lot of interfaces, they don't work on 1mbps CAN but hardly anyone uses that anyway.

the software that they connect to is the bit to really care about, palmer performance pcmscan is the common one these days.

Yeah, I was really just looking for a cheap option this time around. I had tried an Actron but it wouldn't link.

I'll probably go with something like Autogenuity if I ever get more sophisticated.

300hpMR2 · 04-27-2009, 07:38 PM

The unit worked on the previous generation RAV4 but didn't work on a BMW 135i. Still works on my Lotus so the hardware/software is still functioning correctly.

300hpMR2 · 04-27-2009, 11:37 PM

Worked on my 2003 Nissan Murano.

This unit does not have freeze frame capability. Also no emissions prediagnostics.

04-25-2009, 03:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
300hpMR2 Not a poseur anymore! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 577	Elmscan ISO USB OBDII Scanner Anyone use this on their car? I just bought one off of Ebay for less than $60. I let you know if it works. __________________ 07 Phantom Black Exige S - Touring Pack/Track Pack/TC/SS/Titan QR rack/Costco wireless rear view cam/BWR door sill protectors/Locking gas cap mod/headlight film with bubbles/Larini SC Sport/Multivex mirrors/Saikou Michi Oil Catch Cans/Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs/Manly's Motor Mounts

04-27-2009, 02:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
300hpMR2 Not a poseur anymore! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 577	Due to incredibly fast shipping, I got my Elmscan today. So I quickly installed the software and drivers and tested it on my Exige and my Avalon. It appears to work on my Lotus but so far I can't seem to get it to link to my Avalon. I don't have any current MIL's on the Lotus so I can't really see how well the scanner works. But some of the real time parameters (like coolant temperature) that you can follow do have readings while the engine is not running. I'll keep testing it and give another update. BTW, this unit does not appear to be a true USB unit. I believe it is uses a serial to USB adapter judging from the drivers and the presence of a serial plug on one end of it. __________________ 07 Phantom Black Exige S - Touring Pack/Track Pack/TC/SS/Titan QR rack/Costco wireless rear view cam/BWR door sill protectors/Locking gas cap mod/headlight film with bubbles/Larini SC Sport/Multivex mirrors/Saikou Michi Oil Catch Cans/Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs/Manly's Motor Mounts

04-27-2009, 02:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	the elm chips are all RS232/serial, so you'd always see a serial<>usb conversion going on for the usb versions. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100.ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660 West Coast Lotus Meet - Las Vegas - November 6-9 2009 http://www.westcoastlotus.com/

04-27-2009, 03:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
charliex OSX Black hat Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Las Vegas , NV Posts: 9,935	they're ok, cheap and cheerful and they are in a lot of interfaces, they don't work on 1mbps CAN but hardly anyone uses that anyway. the software that they connect to is the bit to really care about, palmer performance pcmscan is the common one these days. __________________ Black Exige S - http://goth.am 265 Mule / Elan M100.ECU Tuning, http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39660 West Coast Lotus Meet - Las Vegas - November 6-9 2009 http://www.westcoastlotus.com/

04-27-2009, 07:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
300hpMR2 Not a poseur anymore! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 577	The unit worked on the previous generation RAV4 but didn't work on a BMW 135i. Still works on my Lotus so the hardware/software is still functioning correctly. __________________ 07 Phantom Black Exige S - Touring Pack/Track Pack/TC/SS/Titan QR rack/Costco wireless rear view cam/BWR door sill protectors/Locking gas cap mod/headlight film with bubbles/Larini SC Sport/Multivex mirrors/Saikou Michi Oil Catch Cans/Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs/Manly's Motor Mounts

04-27-2009, 11:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
300hpMR2 Not a poseur anymore! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 577	Worked on my 2003 Nissan Murano. This unit does not have freeze frame capability. Also no emissions prediagnostics. __________________ 07 Phantom Black Exige S - Touring Pack/Track Pack/TC/SS/Titan QR rack/Costco wireless rear view cam/BWR door sill protectors/Locking gas cap mod/headlight film with bubbles/Larini SC Sport/Multivex mirrors/Saikou Michi Oil Catch Cans/Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs/Manly's Motor Mounts

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