Get a Scanner/Monitor
#1
Get a Scanner/Monitor
Hey everyone,
Killing some time, browsing some of the sub forums, I have noticed that many of the posts regarding engine performance/gas mileage problems come from people that don't have or at least use a scanner. Granted, you can go to many auto parts stores and they will read your codes (when you have a CEL) for free. However, an OBDII scanner/monitor (you can pick them up for $50-$100) will allow you to read your codes, reset the codes but more importantly they allow you to monitor sensor output while driving. Some of them even have a minimal data logging feature. If you are a shadetree or higher mechanic and/or modder the scanner is one of the first things you should pick up.
Remember that the ECU will let a lazy sensor slide by for a while before it sets a CEL. That sensor(s) can hurt mileage, performance and engine longevity.
Using scanners over the years on various cars I have been able to find:
lazy O2 sensor
bad MAF
bad tps
clogged/leaking injectors (not directly but due to variances between the O2 sensor readings)
bad knock sensor
All of the above decrease gas mileage and performance.
As a side benefit the generic hand held scanners are not car specific so you can use it on your whole "fleet" :-)
Just want to throw that out there.......
Killing some time, browsing some of the sub forums, I have noticed that many of the posts regarding engine performance/gas mileage problems come from people that don't have or at least use a scanner. Granted, you can go to many auto parts stores and they will read your codes (when you have a CEL) for free. However, an OBDII scanner/monitor (you can pick them up for $50-$100) will allow you to read your codes, reset the codes but more importantly they allow you to monitor sensor output while driving. Some of them even have a minimal data logging feature. If you are a shadetree or higher mechanic and/or modder the scanner is one of the first things you should pick up.
Remember that the ECU will let a lazy sensor slide by for a while before it sets a CEL. That sensor(s) can hurt mileage, performance and engine longevity.
Using scanners over the years on various cars I have been able to find:
lazy O2 sensor
bad MAF
bad tps
clogged/leaking injectors (not directly but due to variances between the O2 sensor readings)
bad knock sensor
All of the above decrease gas mileage and performance.
As a side benefit the generic hand held scanners are not car specific so you can use it on your whole "fleet" :-)
Just want to throw that out there.......
#2
Account under Legal Action - Banned
iTrader: (2)
Can you post which ones you use (as well as other members?) so that some of us can get a general idea of which to use.
I've seen some guys use this pigtail harness to connect to their laptop via serial or usb and they've got a program that runs and logs everything. I have some links somewhere that shows all of this but Im at work now.
I've seen some guys use this pigtail harness to connect to their laptop via serial or usb and they've got a program that runs and logs everything. I have some links somewhere that shows all of this but Im at work now.
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lexisaurus
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
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04-22-17 09:23 PM