Hi,
Software is either MultiECUscan (MES) http://www.multiecuscan.net/ or AlfaOBD www.alfaobd.com
Both have free demo versions. I use MES. AlfaOBD has more capability with codes and keys, but because of this, the ability for you to mess up more. Both websites have recommended interfaces. If you buy a chepa one on ebay go for a USB ELM 327 type NOT bluetooth or one sold for VW / Audi / VAGCOM.

HTH,
Robert.

Thank you g8rpi, for your consise advice.

Fred

A note of warning I've just recieved a ELM327 V1.5 OBD II 2 CAN-BUS USB Cable Interface Car Diagnostic Scanner Tool UK from ttmallzone365
on ebay UK and the cable interface was sent from Portsmouth.
On trying to load the software my antivirus picked up a trojan PSW.generic8.bfik
I did a web search and it's possible that the software is cracked (pirated copy).
I am in the process of returning it and will see what the sellers says. Has anyone else had problems with this seller or with the product?

Fred

Hi,
At about £7 I would not bother sending it back until they agree to pay postage and refund your money. As it was buy it now the seller must (in theory) give you a refund even before you return it. Even more so as the item is "faulty". Start a case with ebay if they don't refund right away. Unfortunatly the contact address is in China so it will be hard to enforce anything. Multiecuscan costs about £35, anything on disk from a chinese seller should be treated with caution.

Fred Scudo said:

Can I ask if it is neccessary to load the software for the cable interface, as I have downloaded and installed the multiecuscan software. Does the cable interface act as a conduit for OBD info or does it actually interpret the readings?
Fred

Click to expand...

Hi Fred,
No you don't need any software from the disk. The ELM interface chip (the interfaces from China almost certainly use bootleg chips) converts from the OBD buses (K/L and CAN) protocols to "readable" (ASCII) serial data. This requires no driver software. Most interfaces are USB so also have a serial to USB converter chip such as those made by FTDI. This needs a driver, but they are so common that windows should find it without the disk. Just follow the Multiecuscan installation instructions. There is another potential issue with some interfaces is a 120 ohm resistor connected across the CAN bus (pins 6 and 14 of the OBD connector) this can cause bad connection to the bus on some cars or modules. If you have multimeter you can check for this problem by measuring the resistance between pins 6 and 14 with the interface unplugged from the car and computer. If you are reasonably competent with a soldering iron it's fairly easy to remove the resistor.

HTH,
Robert G8RPI.

Hi Fred,
No problem, I'm glad to help. To send thanks to someone on the forum click on the little yellow smiley at the botom of their message. You can also click the thumbs up for like or thumds down for dislike.


Robert.

Just to check - the ELM chip translates to an ASCII stream which can be read by the software.

Is this enough to see all the diagnostic codes?

I have found that (on other vehicles) you need more functionality to read all the specific codes for the vehicle hardware. Admittedly an older Volvo, but still as far as I can tell you need to send the component you are interested in (ABS, aircon etc.) some kind of code to get it to send you information. The main ODB II output just seems to be engine revs, fuel flow etc. which are good for a computerised dashboard but not enough for detailed diagnostics.

At the moment I am looking to diagnose a 2001 Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD with an intermittent fault which is possibly the "fly by wire" throttle. The Fiat main dealer had a lot of trouble reading diagnostics a couple of years ago until they found the correct settings for the diagnostic kit.

LittleGreyCat said:

Just to check - the ELM chip translates to an ASCII stream which can be read by the software.

Is this enough to see all the diagnostic codes?

I have found that (on other vehicles) you need more functionality to read all the specific codes for the vehicle hardware. Admittedly an older Volvo, but still as far as I can tell you need to send the component you are interested in (ABS, aircon etc.) some kind of code to get it to send you information. The main ODB II output just seems to be engine revs, fuel flow etc. which are good for a computerised dashboard but not enough for detailed diagnostics.

At the moment I am looking to diagnose a 2001 Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD with an intermittent fault which is possibly the "fly by wire" throttle. The Fiat main dealer had a lot of trouble reading diagnostics a couple of years ago until they found the correct settings for the diagnostic kit.

Click to expand...

we tend to use MultiECUScan ,
but - as you'll know OBD compliance before 2004 was a bit patchy..,

EDIT = worth asking about the actual (throttle) issue in the Ducato section too..!!

Charlie - Oxford

LittleGreyCat said:

Just to check - the ELM chip translates to an ASCII stream which can be read by the software.

Is this enough to see all the diagnostic codes?

I have found that (on other vehicles) you need more functionality to read all the specific codes for the vehicle hardware. Admittedly an older Volvo, but still as far as I can tell you need to send the component you are interested in (ABS, aircon etc.) some kind of code to get it to send you information. The main ODB II output just seems to be engine revs, fuel flow etc. which are good for a computerised dashboard but not enough for detailed diagnostics.

At the moment I am looking to diagnose a 2001 Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD with an intermittent fault which is possibly the "fly by wire" throttle. The Fiat main dealer had a lot of trouble reading diagnostics a couple of years ago until they found the correct settings for the diagnostic kit.

Click to expand...

Hi,
The ELM 327 chip and it's clones only works with standard implementations of the common interfaces (K line and CAN). This is fine for newer (post 2005 or so) cars. The software on the PC decodes the data into something useful.Generic software just identifies the common codes and basic fault / service reset. Make/Model specific software such as Multiecuscan give much more information and also send data to do things like turn on lights, reset learnt data and Proxi-alignment. We are lucky to have software for €50 that does what the main dealer "informer" and expensive commercial sytems like those from Snap-On and Autodata.
Some older cars and systems used specialised variation of the KL interface to provide extra functionality. The ELM-327 chips can't handle these. However the "dumb" KL interfaces typified by "Vag-Com" (originally for VW Audi) can be driven directly by the software (called "bit-banging" by code writers) to accomodate these systems. This why for some cars you may need the older interface or even both types (e.g. Mk2 Punto).

Robert G8RPI.