Technical OBDII Software?

Currently reading:
Technical OBDII Software?

Joined
Sep 25, 2007
Messages
147
Points
38
Location
St Albans - Herts
Guys,

I have the OBDII to USB cable so I can connect up my laptop to the car.

But, so far I've only managed to find basic read only software that doesn't really show a great deal, although does work well.

Does anyone use or know where I can get hold of something that will show more details as to what the car is doing, or rather read the ECU better, something more dedicated to FIAT rather than the generic stuff I seem to have!?

Cheers
 
What sort of things do you want to do? I'm currently using ProScan which can read error codes, speed of car, engine rpm, coolant temp, air intake temp, do 0 - 60 tests, 1/4 mile tests.

I'd love to see some suggestions of software that could make the windows go up and down, turn the headlights on, control the radio etc, surely more is possible with such a complex computer system in the car?

Although not sure if its possible for a piece of software to put messages out onto the CAN network of the car.
 
Fiat's examiner is the best. There are a few after market ones that do quite a lot, but don't expect anything for less than about £1000. They are designed for garages. There is no free or cheap software for Fiat Stilo's. If you are really interested, look at canhack.de and you can start decoding CAN bus messages yourself.
 
With a very simple level converter interface and the right commands (21 - Read Data by Local Identifier) you can read a lot of parameteres on the Stilo - you only have to know how to convert the Hex(adecimal) values to decimal values.....
This takes some studying but it fun once you understand what you are doing....
The Examiner basically does the same but it does the conversion for you....
 
What sort of things do you want to do? I'm currently using ProScan which can read error codes, speed of car, engine rpm, coolant temp, air intake temp, do 0 - 60 tests, 1/4 mile tests.

I'd love to see some suggestions of software that could make the windows go up and down, turn the headlights on, control the radio etc, surely more is possible with such a complex computer system in the car?

Although not sure if its possible for a piece of software to put messages out onto the CAN network of the car.

I know Examiner is the thing to have, but I'm not going to pay a grand for it.

I just wandered if there was anything out there that could write to the ecu, ie: reset service due message for example. That Pro Scan sounds ok, I found another thread with a few links that Deckchair posted up. Does Pro Scan need a serial key or licence number for it or is it a free-be?

(y)
 
I just looked at pro scan. It appears to do nothing more than other free scanner software. It is not Stilo Specific and will not reset the service due message.
 
with a CAN-to USB interface it is possible to send all kind of commands on the 50 kbps can bus, see www.canhack.de (it is in German but the codes are the same....)
I posted a lot of different codes on this site , for radio, window control etc.
 
I just looked at pro scan. It appears to do nothing more than other free scanner software. It is not Stilo Specific and will not reset the service due message.

Thats my question really, I'm just looking for something that isn't just a reader. I want something specific to Fiat.

I'm not sure I want to be messing about with the can stuff, I dont 'really' understand how it all works yet, need to read up a bit I guess, and I'm less inclined to do so when the site is in German! :D

(y)
 
Last edited:
it takes very much time (and effort) to write such specific software - therefore nobody will offer this for free...
If you take your time reading and trying out a lot like i did (more than 5 years now...) you will understand how K-line and CAN-bus communication work and you will be able to log, decipher and send commands from and to your Stilo with a laptop and a simple interface.
Those who want to be able to do this immediately will have to pay for a decently written software - it does exist specific for Fiat....
 
Thats cool. Car electrics is not my strong point, I'm more a mechanical person.

I dont mind paying for software, as long as its worth it. I just want to know 'what' software there is out there?!

:)
 
Back
Top