Fatbloke-Dim
Busy user
Anyone have any experience of a readily available, in the U.K.,code reader/scanner? Or a recommendation for same? Seems it may be of some benefit,seeing as everything is controlled by black magic these days !
Code reader?
- Thread starter Fatbloke-Dim
- Start date
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Really depends on what you want to be able to do with an OBD2 scanner which is also a code reader
Entry level would be like this one that many have bought
It comes with an APP that works with an Android cellphone via Bluetooth
This allows seeing in detail how like engine, tranny ABS, etc, is working, reading and clearing error codes
to seeing if the vehicle passes on-board smog tests
Also comes with software that installs on a laptop that is running MS Windows OS, also via Bluetooth
Cost $140 US
Cheaper types in range of $40-100
Costing less than $50
Entry level would be like this one that many have bought
It comes with an APP that works with an Android cellphone via Bluetooth
This allows seeing in detail how like engine, tranny ABS, etc, is working, reading and clearing error codes
to seeing if the vehicle passes on-board smog tests
Also comes with software that installs on a laptop that is running MS Windows OS, also via Bluetooth
Cost $140 US
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Cheaper types in range of $40-100
Costing less than $50
Pitre
Chairman, CCCUK.
I use one of these cheapies, works fine on my C5 with Torque app on Android phone...
...however, all codes can be read without any special equipment via the DIC (see Google/YouTube).
ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth OBD-II Car Diagnostic Scan Reader Tool Mini Android Torque | eBay
This super mini ELM327 Bluetooth OBD-II OBD2 car diagnostic scan tool designed for our Android head units This device can also worked with Windows phones and Windows computers. Simply plug into the OBD car diagnostic port and it will connect to the unit via Bluetooth.
www.ebay.co.uk
...however, all codes can be read without any special equipment via the DIC (see Google/YouTube).
C5Steve
CCCUK Member
Yeah I do exactly the same, was going to suggest the DLC but wasn't sure if you could do it on the C6. There's not much else the Bluetooth reader does tbh, I tend to just use the DLC.I use one of these cheapies, works fine on my C5 with Torque app on Android phone...
ELM327 OBD2 Bluetooth OBD-II Car Diagnostic Scan Reader Tool Mini Android Torque | eBay
This super mini ELM327 Bluetooth OBD-II OBD2 car diagnostic scan tool designed for our Android head units This device can also worked with Windows phones and Windows computers. Simply plug into the OBD car diagnostic port and it will connect to the unit via Bluetooth.www.ebay.co.uk
...however, all codes can be read without any special equipment via the DIC (see Google/YouTube).
Fatbloke-Dim
Busy user
Just hgaving a look at these suggestions now. Just want to be able to see what's going on with things, I've had a few non-serious random codes that have disappeared when the battery has been disconnected and connected again. This may be what happens when a car is hardly used and stands with the battery disconnected most of the time. It's an expensive driveway ornament , for sure ! But.....when it does come out to play.........Blimey!! Wot fun !
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
GM yanked out the diagnostics mode from the DIC starting with the C6, to get people to buy the OnStar services to get DTC codes via it
C5 model is the only one having DIC diag mode
Not a good practice in yanking the battery off all the time as that means every time connected again all the controllers
relearns have to be done all over and also the on-board smog tests
Also, the older the electronics get increases the chance when connecting battery again that they quit connecting to the on-board network
Reason why GM sold as an option is a battery tender plugged in when car is parked for days
Also means you're ignoring what the DTCs are telling you and flushing them out on disconnecting to trip again when connected
Should use a code reader or scanner and see what those DTCs are informing you to correct
C5 model is the only one having DIC diag mode
Not a good practice in yanking the battery off all the time as that means every time connected again all the controllers
relearns have to be done all over and also the on-board smog tests
Also, the older the electronics get increases the chance when connecting battery again that they quit connecting to the on-board network
Reason why GM sold as an option is a battery tender plugged in when car is parked for days
Also means you're ignoring what the DTCs are telling you and flushing them out on disconnecting to trip again when connected
Should use a code reader or scanner and see what those DTCs are informing you to correct
Fatbloke-Dim
Busy user
Well,
I've ordered one of the El Cheapo ELM ones. if it fails to work , i've lost less than a fiver. TeamZR1;
the option to use a battery tender is a no-go , as the car has to live outside ,in all weathers . I do have a tender , but that means bringing the battery inside , so , back to square one, there, methinks . As for having to re-learn all the parameters again , it's no big deal , and the programmed smog tests are not crucial to us here in the U.K. , when it does get it's annual inspection , the car will have been given a good run out immediately befre said test ,so will be 'all systems go' in that regard. The actual smog part of our test does not involve any hookup to spy on what the electronix are doing , just a gas analyser shoved up it's arse and 'sniffed' 'Ooo er, Missus !!' . It always passes , and with low numbers, like most other late model American cars. Just proves how good American cars are in this respect, been way ahead of this particular game for years.
I agree that parking the car with the battery off likely results in random codes, but if it's something like a misfire , or a knock , or other non-electronix code , I can at least look into things. Anything likely to be a random occurrence will get a look , but if nothing is evident in 'actual reality' , then no drama. I hope. Bear in mind , the owner's handbook states that if the car will be INOP for 25 days or more, to disconnect the battery . Never had any issues doing this on my '93 C4 , either. Just curious to see what may be happening if a code was to become persistent .
I've ordered one of the El Cheapo ELM ones. if it fails to work , i've lost less than a fiver. TeamZR1;
the option to use a battery tender is a no-go , as the car has to live outside ,in all weathers . I do have a tender , but that means bringing the battery inside , so , back to square one, there, methinks . As for having to re-learn all the parameters again , it's no big deal , and the programmed smog tests are not crucial to us here in the U.K. , when it does get it's annual inspection , the car will have been given a good run out immediately befre said test ,so will be 'all systems go' in that regard. The actual smog part of our test does not involve any hookup to spy on what the electronix are doing , just a gas analyser shoved up it's arse and 'sniffed' 'Ooo er, Missus !!' . It always passes , and with low numbers, like most other late model American cars. Just proves how good American cars are in this respect, been way ahead of this particular game for years.
I agree that parking the car with the battery off likely results in random codes, but if it's something like a misfire , or a knock , or other non-electronix code , I can at least look into things. Anything likely to be a random occurrence will get a look , but if nothing is evident in 'actual reality' , then no drama. I hope. Bear in mind , the owner's handbook states that if the car will be INOP for 25 days or more, to disconnect the battery . Never had any issues doing this on my '93 C4 , either. Just curious to see what may be happening if a code was to become persistent .
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Your C4 only had 3 controllers, so little voltage draw when parked
You C6 has around 17 controllers and draws down battery quicker
One way to solve not connecting and disconnecting battery countless times
I have been testing this all year on my 1993 Caddy
Solar battery tender, which can be located inside or outside the car, mounts with suction cups.
Will not overcharge the battery as only outputs like 13.5 volts, 10 watts and only needs to get direct or indirect sunlight
Can be as easy as plugging into the cigarette lighter or connecting a cable to battery
Cost is only $30 US
You C6 has around 17 controllers and draws down battery quicker
One way to solve not connecting and disconnecting battery countless times
I have been testing this all year on my 1993 Caddy
Solar battery tender, which can be located inside or outside the car, mounts with suction cups.
Will not overcharge the battery as only outputs like 13.5 volts, 10 watts and only needs to get direct or indirect sunlight
Can be as easy as plugging into the cigarette lighter or connecting a cable to battery
Cost is only $30 US
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Fatbloke-Dim
Busy user
Yeah , I know about these solar panels, I used one on my boat to keep the batts topped up when the boat was in use. Trouble is, I'm in England, and we are famous for our lack of sunlight , if they ever invent one to work off rain , then that would be a score !! I know they don't necessarily need bright, direct sun , but do need to be angled to rceive as much of whatever light is available face-on , as it were. The spoiler for these, other than the aforementioned, is that tghe car lives under a cover. This also deters the 'scrotes' of the area who ma otherwise find a 'Vette a good target for their attentions. I've had it before with a '57 Fairlane , and noted that when covered , nothing happened. When on view , I had various interferences, ranging from 2 drunks on the roof of it, to meat pies neing deposited into the car , and most else in between ! And no , the cover does not make the car sweat or anything, it breathes, is soft inside , and if treated a few times a year with Fabsil , is pretty well waterproof. After 3 years, the paint is like new, and I had one for 9 years on my C4 with no issues. I did have a .25 Amp parasitic draw on the C4, so kept the batt disconnected for the extended parking periods with no issues.
I agree these solar panels are a good deal , suckered to the inside of the window , out of the weather ,just not great for cover users , though !
I agree these solar panels are a good deal , suckered to the inside of the window , out of the weather ,just not great for cover users , though !
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Maybe wire from battery to like front bumper area
Use the cover and mount the solar panel on top of the cover
The one I have is waterproof and even on a cloudy day puts out more voltage than battery so
not in a sense charging a battery but taking a fully charged on and solar panel is maintaining a full charge
I use a remote wireless battery monitor, so I can see the level of battery with the solar panel
where monitor is inside my home
Here is a recent cloudy day, I can see the SoH and SoC showing solar panel output 13.07 volts with battery case temp was 96 F degrees
with a SoC at 97% with car sitting for over 1 week parked
Use the cover and mount the solar panel on top of the cover
The one I have is waterproof and even on a cloudy day puts out more voltage than battery so
not in a sense charging a battery but taking a fully charged on and solar panel is maintaining a full charge
I use a remote wireless battery monitor, so I can see the level of battery with the solar panel
where monitor is inside my home
Here is a recent cloudy day, I can see the SoH and SoC showing solar panel output 13.07 volts with battery case temp was 96 F degrees
with a SoC at 97% with car sitting for over 1 week parked
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Well after 6 months of using this vehicle solar panel in 105 F degree to as low as 30 degrees in a car seldom used with many days total overcast clouds it has fully maintained the battery voltage
You do not need AMPS to maintain, you're thinking of a charger where needing high cold load current
And what I use was designed solely as a battery tender and prevent over 13.5 charging volts and less than 1 amp draw to prevent
overcharging and cooking the battery
Tech-2 or clones of them are not fully OBD scanners, you cannot select like 25 custom PIDs,
go for a 25-mile road test and record 20-40 Fp/s
save it, take that and export it to a P/C and fully analyze that data
Tech-2 and clones to make use of what it does requires paying a monthly fee to GM to have access to updated flashes for controllers and most people using these once in a while do not need that overhead cost or even know how to use that function
Lastly clones I have tested have spy or virus crap installed in laptop that the owner has no clue was done
Try scanning and recording 662 GM PIDs concurrently and seeing this on a Tech-II in real time of via playback of recorded test drives
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
I helped with the Tech-II design when I worked for GM engineering in Warren MI alone with the first diagnostics tool called CAMs