Fun with OBDII? (06 Civic)

[xenfacta]

I have an OBD II scanner. With my PDA (and dodgy retrofitted serial cable), it works sometimes and after a while it just stops refreshing. I still haven't tried with a laptop yet. I'll try it next week.

wat u using? i want to get one that will work on a pda

[dannybubu]

mmm pda's...so you reckon it's better to get gps or pda which can use both gpa and OBDII??

[aaronng]

As long as your pda supports a serial port (proper RS-232), then it will work. My pda has a custom serial port, so it is less reliable.

If your pda has bluetooth, the an OBD II scanner that outputs to BT serial profile would be ideal. Car Pal is one such unit, but it costs AU$299 shipped from the UK.

[aaronng]

mmm pda's...so you reckon it's better to get gps or pda which can use both gpa and OBDII??

Trying to understand what you are asking... You mean, is it better to get a separate GPS or to get a PDA so that you can use both the OBD II scanner and GPS on it?

If you plan to use BOTH at the same time, then get a separate GPS. You can't display both GPS maps and OBD II info at the same time on a PDA. Also, BT serial profile allows only 1 serial device to be connected at a time.

[dannybubu]

Trying to understand what you are asking... You mean, is it better to get a separate GPS or to get a PDA so that you can use both the OBD II scanner and GPS on it?

If you plan to use BOTH at the same time, then get a separate GPS. You can't display both GPS maps and OBD II info at the same time on a PDA. Also, BT serial profile allows only 1 serial device to be connected at a time.

thanks man...needed the info

[Curtisator]

For those interested, a quick update:

I picked up an Elmscan 5 from the local distributor about the middle of the week, plugged it in, and it worked great. It detected the car was running a CAN protocol adhering to the European OBD version of the standard. I'm getting a range of sensor information, from the usuals (RPM, speed) to absolute throttle position, engine load, manifold pressure, mass air flow, O2 sensors, coolant temperature, air intake temperature and quite a few others. I think I can get enough information out of the car to calculate things like instantaneous and average fuel consumtion in real time, though I might have to try my hand at altering a program like OBD Gauge if I want a proper trip computer.

It seems that most of the software out there is fairly basic. I ended up buying PCMScan as well because it offered data logging/playback and seems the most feature rich for the moment. It's been a fun project so far, and started me thinking about a carputer project (like this one). I can dream.

[dannybubu]

mmm...how'd you get that into the civic?? is urs the US version?? :S

[clayton4115]

does anyone know if the ODB11 will work on the 7th Generation 2005 Honda civic.

thanks

[aaronng]

does anyone know if the ODB11 will work on the 7th Generation 2005 Honda civic.

thanks

Yes, cars after 2001 are surely OBDII (certain brands use different connectors and languages, so you need a different version of the device for those). But your car will work with these OBDII scanners.

[aaronng]

For those interested, a quick update:

I picked up an Elmscan 5 from the local distributor about the middle of the week, plugged it in, and it worked great. It detected the car was running a CAN protocol adhering to the European OBD version of the standard. I'm getting a range of sensor information, from the usuals (RPM, speed) to absolute throttle position, engine load, manifold pressure, mass air flow, O2 sensors, coolant temperature, air intake temperature and quite a few others. I think I can get enough information out of the car to calculate things like instantaneous and average fuel consumtion in real time, though I might have to try my hand at altering a program like OBD Gauge if I want a proper trip computer.

Is your reader a serial port one? If you are in sydney, would you mind trying out my OBDII reader to see if it works fine on your car?

[clayton4115]

hi thx but more importantly will scangauge work ? www.scangauge.com

regards

[aaronng]

Yup, that works.