MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Maintenance, Problems & Troubleshooting => Topic started by: GSB on June 2, 2004, 17:53

Title: GSB's new toy - OBDII reader
Post by: GSB on June 2, 2004, 17:53
Got myself a new bit of kit to hook up to my laptop...

An OBDII interface, OBDII lead, and serial port cable, plus Digimoto software. It can read and reset all the fault codes on an ECU, and so be used to detect any sensor errors, plus it can be used to read off and record real time data such as injector duty, timing advance, O2 Sensor readings, fuel trim, temperatures, revs...

Add to that its quartermile and dyno programs and its one useful bit of kit.


(http://www.digimoto.com/images/rts_tab.JPG)(http://www.digimoto.com/images/dyno_tab.JPG)(http://gendan.co.uk/auto/images/scantool_package.gif)

More info:  w www.digimoto.com (http://www.digimoto.com) w
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Post by: Anonymous on June 2, 2004, 19:21
Nice one  s:) :) s:)

I was looking into getting one of these! How much did it cost you all in in good old english pounds?

I was wondering about getting the pocket PC version, although I don't know whether to get the laptop version. Pain in the arse having too many toys!!!!

How long did they take to deliver as well?
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Post by: GSB on June 2, 2004, 19:29
Cost was £90, delivered next day before noon...
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Post by: Anonymous on June 2, 2004, 20:02
Gonna have to stop coming on here. It is costing me a fortune!!

Is this as good as a gtech pro as far as 1/4 mile and dyno etc?  

Where can buy them in the UK - (Debit card)?

Any chance of the good old Group Buy?

*Looks for better paid job*

  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:
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Post by: GSB on June 2, 2004, 20:17
Sorry, forgot to add a link to the UK supplier:

 m http://gendan.co.uk/auto/scantool_net_pc.shtml (http://gendan.co.uk/auto/scantool_net_pc.shtml) m

I think G-tech uses accelerometers to measure performance, whereas this will use sensor readings from the cars ECU. Both are equally good for comparitive tests, i.e. before/after modification, but I wouldnt compare the readings of one against the other.

I have yet to try mine out on the car, but I know Dieamond has one of these if you'd like a better review.
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Post by: Anonymous on June 2, 2004, 21:10
Oooh did someone say group buy  s;) ;) s;)

Count me in for defo if there is one   s8) 8) s8)
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Post by: MRMike on June 2, 2004, 21:43
So......want......one.....

must.....fight.....group buy......

Grant great gadget, where it says "logging coming soon" does that mean the software will be free to download or will it require new firware?

Looked on the site, but maybe you could explain a bit better, is it a 'piggyback' system or does it re-write the ECU codes? If it is a Piggyback won't the ECU fight the revised settings?

Also notcied that it has the ability to advance/retard the timing..again if its a piggyback won't the ECU fight these settings? And would you have to have it plugged in all the time to effect these changes in the timing? Or will they remain even when the unit's not connected?
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Post by: GSB on June 2, 2004, 22:29
 s:?: :?: s:?:  

Sorry?

You must be reading something else!

This is essentially a reader. Its interfaces with ODBII to extract data from the car. You cant change anythimg other than to reset the ECU.

You can however capture and analise the data, and use it in calculation tool to simulate a dyno reading. It wont make you faster, but should you change antything else on the car it can tell you how much faster it's made you.
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Post by: MRMike on June 2, 2004, 22:41
Sorry Grant, where it said "Timing Advance" I thought perhaps you could perhaps manually adjust the timing.  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:
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Post by: Peter Laborne on June 2, 2004, 22:53
Quote from: "MRMike"if its a piggyback won't the ECU fight these settings? And would you have to have it plugged in all the time to effect these changes in the timing? Or will they remain even when the unit's not connected?

The easiest way to visualise it is to imagine the OBDII as a black box. It records nearly everything....even what speed your wiper blades are on at. I discovered this when i had the CEL come on. I took my 2 straight to Mr T, he plugged in his little gizmo and he was able to tell me that my lights were on, I had my wipers on full speed and I was also braking.

The gadget that Grant has got, from my understanding, plugs into the black box and reads all the data and presents it to you clearly and in real-time. So you could take it on a track day and map out your speeds round the track, your time, the revs, where you braked, where you changed gear. You could then use this information and make the most of the power and torque, improve your gear changes etc etc, with the end result being that you can go quicker.

You can also use it for dyno tests and get results before and after making mods...without having to book and pay £'s. All you need is a long enough bit of road or find a garage that has a couple of wheel rollers (and maybe a big fan to blow air into the radiator).

All this gadget does is read data. It doesn't overwrite the ECU nor it is a piggyback.

HTH
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Post by: markiii on June 2, 2004, 22:58
just to be precise the ODBII is teh interface standard, nothing to do with the black box behind it.

It dictates what pins signals come from and what those signals mean.
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Post by: Anonymous on June 2, 2004, 23:40
where abouts is the port on the 2? am i right in thinking j-spec MRS' like mine dont have an ODBII port? if so, is there an alternative?
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Post by: markiii on June 2, 2004, 23:43
under the dashboard to teh right of the steering wheel.

In theory you have teh plug but something about it doesn't adhere to the ODBII standard, as no MR-S I've come across yet will talk to an ODBII readeer.
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Post by: Anonymous on June 2, 2004, 23:49
must be some sort of converter around?
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Post by: Tem on June 3, 2004, 06:27
Quote from: "markiii"under the dashboard to the right of the steering wheel.

Just in case anyone with LHD steering is reading this...we have it on the left side of the steering  s8) 8) s8)

(kinda hard to miss once you're down there though)
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Post by: Anonymous on June 3, 2004, 13:11
Quote from: "Peter Laborne"So you could take it on a track day and map out your speeds round the track, your time, the revs, where you braked, where you changed gear. You could then use this information and make the most of the power and torque, improve your gear changes etc etc, with the end result being that you can go quicker.

Try this on most organisers trackdays, and you'll be leaving early for home... Their liability insurance strictly prevents any form of timing (eyebrows have even been raised over reviewing laptimes from a camcorder) or testing, and you'll sign a disclaimer to that effect.

What you mean is test day... (for which most circuits allow race licence holders only, typically booked direct?)
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Post by: GSB on June 3, 2004, 20:00
Just been having a play with my new toy... very impressive. The update time is ok, and the data logging of any of the sensors can be loaded straight into excel. Its in Imerpial US units, hence I input a vehicle weight of 1000lbs instead of kilos.  

Odd numbers; 130bhp at 1500rpm, 430ft/lbs at 4500rpm.   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  I'll have to set up those metric units...  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

I'll bring it with me to the pre cat gutting meet..
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Post by: Anonymous on June 3, 2004, 20:31
Daz400 got one of these a while ago. It is a good bit of kit.Gendan said i could order one and return it if it didn't work on my jspec as i told them of the reading problems. I didn't bother but with Darren we tried his and soldered a couple of the terminals together for a missing earth pin on the jap OBD. This didn't work either so i gave up   s:? :? s:?  

There is a reader that works on Jspec but i can't remember which it is at moment.  s:roll: :roll: s:roll:  

I really am helpful aren't i.  s:P :P s:P
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Post by: mph on June 3, 2004, 21:32
Quote from: "GSB"I'll bring it with me to the pre cat gutting meet..
Good lad   s:) :) s:)
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Post by: crankshaft on June 4, 2004, 01:02
Hi GSB:

I bought one in kit form about a month ago but have no yet built it up.

Do you know if it can display the gear selected ?? - I looked through the OBDII codes and I could only find codes that show a change rather than the current gear, although I could probably calculate the gear position from this, I could not tell when it's in neutral or reverse ?!

P0781      1-2 Shift
P0782      2-3 Shift
P0783      3-4 Shift
P0784      4-5 Shift

http://www.peter-cruickshank.com/mr2stuff/OBDIIReferenceGuide.htm
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Post by: GSB on June 4, 2004, 07:45
Those look like trouble codes rather than sensors, So I imagine they'd be recorded in the ECU if there a problem with an auto box or perhaps SMT.
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Post by: Anonymous on June 4, 2004, 12:18
That's much cheaper than an FC-Datalogit, which is the only data logger for the Power FC.  Maybe stock ECU + eManage + OBDII code reader is the best way to go after all.  I don't think the Power FC stores any OBDII codes at all.  As far as I know, the only error reporting capability is two types of CEL flash patterns, one for maxed injectors and one for knock.

Looks like a good price for this gadget... enjoy.
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Post by: Tem on June 4, 2004, 13:08
Quote from: "Beanie"I don't think the Power FC stores any OBDII codes at all.  As far as I know, the only error reporting capability is two types of CEL flash patterns, one for maxed injectors and one for knock.

It doesn't store OBD codes...or have any other support for them either.

I think you can set the CEL to trigger from various things though, maxed injectors and knock are just the default triggers.
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Post by: DAZ400 on June 9, 2004, 19:42
Grant what version of the digimoto software do you have I bought it and found it was flaky and unreliable.

I now use the free software from scantool which always works fine and is reliable.
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Post by: GSB on June 9, 2004, 19:57
Ive got v.3.7 of the digimoto software, but I have scantool in eserve as well. If your running an earlier version you can get a free upgrade at  w www.digimoto.com (http://www.digimoto.com) w .

I've not had to much time to play with it yet, but it seems ok to me.
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Post by: GSB on June 28, 2004, 20:34
This little gadget came into its own on my way home...

Was cruising along the north circular when up popped the check engine light. Obviously it was a very rapid process of cut the ignition and coast over to the side of the road...

Got out, popped the bonnet, checked all the fluids. All perfect. Cant be the pre-cats as I ripped them out, and nothing seems to be leaking.

Then remembered my reader was still in the boot from the pre-cat meeting, and by pure luck my laptop was in the car as well. So...

Plugged in, ignition on, download trouble codes... Software informs me that the heater circuit on Bank 1, O2 sensor 2 (the 3rd O2 sensor after the main cat) isnt functioning. Using the real time data logger, I started up and saw the sensor output was also no existent...

A quick check behind the N/S rear light revealed a loose plug on the 3rd O2 sensor. Back in the car I reset the CEL, and restarted, Sensor now functioning normally. Unplug and burn rubber!

So, a job that would have seen me phoning a towtruck, and then being hauled to a dealer for a 1 day wait and a big bill, was cured in less than 5 minutes at the roadside...

Only £90... What a bargain!  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
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Post by: aaronjb on June 28, 2004, 20:43
Looks like a great bit of kit to invest in.. must... also... resist..

Have a similar thing for the Nissan - although that's not OBDII (it's proprietary) - fantastic pieces of kit to have when you've just finished putting the engine back together and can't figure out why it won't run right  s:) :) s:)  (I speak from experience there..  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  )

Only a few days of reading the forum, and I'm already tempted to spend money again! This place is a bad influence  s:) :) s:)
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Post by: spynish on August 22, 2005, 23:20
Hi!

Does digimoto software read the Air Fuel Ratio?

Thanks!
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Post by: Tem on August 23, 2005, 05:39
Quote from: "spynish"Does digimoto software read the Air Fuel Ratio?

Through OBD-II and stock narrowband sensors? Even if it does, it's useless. Get a wideband, if you want to know your AFR  s8) 8) s8)
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Post by: spit on August 23, 2005, 07:05
Quote from: "spynish"Does digimoto software read the Air Fuel Ratio?
GReddy do a warning AFR gauge that'll match your boost & EGT Spyni. Aint cheap though (about $250)...EDIT: GReddy inform me today that "the sensor included with it is a basic unit not designed for tuning, but only for basic monitoring." So, this sounds like its narrowband   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:  [/i]

 I've seen the gadget that C2 use somewhere on the interweb too, but I've lost the link  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:  Here's another one though http://www.zeitronix.com/Products/zt2/zt2.htm that can be configured for Boost, EGT & AFR (they do straight n/band and w/band AFR gauges too from $79 - check under "products")

You can get AFR gauges that use the narrowband O2, but as Tem suggests they are a bit vague.

Markiii and others.....has anyone found an OBDII reader compatible with J-Spec MR-S yet? The search continues....[/i][/b]
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Post by: Jap GT300 on August 23, 2005, 08:53
Nope.  Readers are available from the like of snap on but the cost is over £1000   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:  

I've been looking for a cheap version for a long time.  Apparently they were available in Malaysia but I couldn't find anything with a search.
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Post by: GSB on August 23, 2005, 12:03
Quote from: "Jap GT300"Nope.  Readers are available from the like of snap on but the cost is over £1000   s:cry: :cry: s:cry:  

I've been looking for a cheap version for a long time.  Apparently they were available in Malaysia but I couldn't find anything with a search.

Adam,

If theres enough interest, Simon and I are going to run a Group Buy for J-Spec Code readers. Post your interest here, if you're up for one...

 m http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB2/viewtopic. ... highlight= (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8214&highlight=) m
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Post by: Anonymous on August 25, 2005, 20:41
Do you have a link to the list of sensors that can be monitored on a 2005 MR2?  Many of the ODB-II outputs can vary by manufacturer, model, and possibly year.  I saw the link to error codes posted earlier.
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Post by: spynish on August 27, 2005, 01:49
Nice gauges!  s:D :D s:D  

(http://www.digimoto.com/images/gauges.jpg)
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Post by: Anonymous on October 31, 2005, 17:17
I got one of these kits as well (digimoto - with ISO interface)...

Although I seem to be having trouble with it... when I first plug it in, I got no lights at all on the scantool LEDs... so after doing some reading, I did that soildering trick... plugged it in again, and voila! Lights! It even gave me RPM, speed, intake air temp, oil temp... unfortunately, thats the limit of my success... I DO have a CEL, however, it isn't reading any CELs, nor can I reset it...

I am in Australia, and have a late 2002 model (which has a 6spd SMT)... so I am guessing perhaps my OBDII is now using the CAN interface instead of ISO?

GSB - what year is your car? I am assuming you got the ISO interface when you bought your digimoto?

I am thinking about getting the moByDic (with the CAN interface) to give it a go, but that means extra $$$ which does not neccessarily translate into results.

Any one else had this similar experience with the ISO scantools on 2003+ model Spyders??
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Post by: spit on October 31, 2005, 17:27
Drifting slightly, but still relevant.....

I'm wondering if you have the same OBDII problem in Australia that we have with the J-Spec import models. I've found readers that'll do both European and J-Spec '2s, but they aint cheap  s:cry: :cry: s:cry:  

Simon is still mooching around Malaysia for a solution though. If you nail it before he does, dttsou, please let us know  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

You might want to keep an eye on the thread: http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8214