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Scantools ?

J

jrece

New member
I'm looking for a scantool that will work with a 1998 Grand Prix. I had an Innova 3150 for a few days, but it would only read DTCs and allow me to clear them. I could not get any freeze frame data.

Does anyone have a 3150 they've used with a 98 and gotten freeze frame data?

Is there a better choice than the Innova 3150 or 3160 in the $160 - $200 price range?
 


If youre just looking to scan, why not an aeroforce interceptor? Then you can record and playback what happened during your session.
 
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If a computer is an option the ElmScan 5 Compact Scan Tool from scantool.net is pretty good usb device and comes with pretty darn good free software. Got mine at Amazon cheaper, $35...good deal. From there, lots of software will work with it.
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I'm thinking I want something more than a gauge. As implied in my message, reading and clearing DTCs is not enough. The Innova 3150 I was using was supposed to read quite a bit of data from the PCM and complementing sensors, but I could only read DTCs.

I did see the ElmScan 5 Compact on Amazon for cheap, but also noticed the cost of getting the GM enhanced package with it. You have to purchase the ScanXL and then the GM enhanced totaling $180 in addition to the $35. This is comparable, but then I have to have a laptop with me instead of a fairly small handheld. There was also a user who stated the refresh rate was pretty slow, and would not allow for much diagnostic at rate (or live). Is this true?

Anyone using the Innova 3150 or 3160 with a 1998 Grand Prix?
 
I have a scan tool from Mac-Tools...its a hand held, but it allows you to stream live data, perform special tests if the vehicle is equiped with the features (O2's, evap, solenoids....) has a full directory of codes and descriptions...and was under $120 Canadian off the Mac-Tools truck. I had an Innova prior to this, but this by far exceeds the inova by miles.


Very similar to this one..(google search)
Launch Creader V EOBD/OBD2 Advanced Fault Code Reader


Jay
 


Just pick up a Solus. They are pretty sweet. If you don't have $2k to spend, I think Auto Tap will do everything that you need. It is a computer program.

We have Auto Tap and then a handheld scanner of some sort that my dad got off of the snap on truck. I don't know what it is for sure but I know it was right around $100-150.
 
jrece said:
I did see the ElmScan 5 Compact on Amazon for cheap, but also noticed the cost of getting the GM enhanced package with it. You have to purchase the ScanXL and then the GM enhanced totaling $180 in addition to the $35. This is comparable, but then I have to have a laptop with me instead of a fairly small handheld. There was also a user who stated the refresh rate was pretty slow, and would not allow for much diagnostic at rate (or live). Is this true?
Click to expand...

The software that comes with the unit for free is pretty good and provides runtime/freeze frame data. They actually provide a few scanning softwares with the tool on CD, but they are only general OBDII.

I also have the ScanXL and GM add-on. It does provide a lot more vehicle specific information but in truth for me so far only a small amount more than the free software. But...it's very detailed and can be customized extensively. You can even make your own dash for it.

Refresh rate is entirely dependent on two things. 1. The speed of the computer. 2. The amount of PIDS, *things* being monitored.

I think you can select over 350 things to monitor at a time with the enhanced, the problem is the PCM and serial bus can't report that much data quickly. So, with everything on, the RPM will report oh around once every 4 seconds. But turning unneeded things off and dropping that to more like 50 things being monitored, the difference is massive, RPM for example has no real loss in frame rates.

On my search of a good reading system, this is what I ended up with. I run it on a netbook in the car and it works well. There could be something better but I haven't found it yet.
 
Thanks Jay. I'll take a look at the scantool(s) sold by Mac-Tool. Sounds like it might be a better reader. Do you recall which Innova model you had? I saw a few comments from users who had upgraded to the 3150/3160 Innova's and mentioned they were getting more information over prior models.

TCO, one of the requirements in my original post was $160 - $200. I'll bet I would just love the Solus @ $2k. Are you saying get Auto Tap and use it with the ElmScan 5 Compact?

Thanks for the info Gorecki. That helps a lot. It certainly has some drawbacks in requiring a computer, but for the price... I have an older laptop I could use if it isn't too slow. Does the "free software" include ABS? If not, have you found ABS scanning software? What price? ABS was one of the features I would be getting with the Innova 3150/3160 over the 3130 model.
 


jrece said:
Thanks for the info Gorecki. That helps a lot. It certainly has some drawbacks in requiring a computer, but for the price... I have an older laptop I could use if it isn't too slow. Does the "free software" include ABS? If not, have you found ABS scanning software? What price? ABS was one of the features I would be getting with the Innova 3150/3160 over the 3130 model.
Click to expand...

ABS standard codes I'm sure, beyond that I really don't know off the top cause never had a ABS problem. :o
 
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