My brother recently sent me a pointer to a site that claims to have a device which you can plug into your PC or palm PDA and is able to display parameters from the drivetrain computer of any '96 and newer car.

Here's the site w/ all the info.
http://www.autotap.com/

Has anyone bought this "AutoTap" product? Is it worth the $200? There is also a version with "manufacturer enhanced parameters" for $290 - is that added feature worth it?

I know there are a bunch of configurable features on ls400 that can be changed by the dealer using a "scanner". Does this software allow you to make these changes?

 

I don't know too much about the specifics of OBDII programming, but I do recall reading in Forbes a couple months ago about some fairly young, computer savvy Honda tuners reprogramming their ECU settings via a laptop plugged into the cars "diagnostic port"

 

Autotap allows your Palm Pilot or laptop to access Generic OBDII info. It will not allow you to change ANY parameters. Even the tester that the dealership uses will not change parameters in the way you want to. All you can do with autotap is access the data list, trouble codes, maybe freeze frame data if your lucky. Many tool companies sell these devices already ($200-$250, Snap-on, Matco, Mac, Sears).

 

Here are some more...


http://softwareforcars.com/ScanTool-PalmPilot.htm

http://www.auterraweb.com/

http://www.aeswave.com/Palm/CJ2/

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/palm.htm

http://www.aeswave.com/

http://www.ontool.com/store/product/13168

Have fun!

DD

 

So what tool is the dealer using to set the configurable options? Is this something that can be done at home with an aftermarket device and a laptop, or do I have to bring the car to the dealer every time I want to make a programming change?

Thanks,

Sean

 

http://www.vetronix.com/diagnostics/mts3100/


This is what the dealerships use, but you can never buy the software we use. Software updates are for dealers only also. Dealers and techs only. Only a cool $3,000.

 

Yikes! No wonder I haven't heard of anyone doing this. Well, maybe eventually someone will come out with a more limited version that runs on a laptop. $3000 is a lot of money just to flip bits with a serial cable.

Sean

 

Thanks to all who replied for the info!