OBD II reader and Forscan program.

[Bushbasher]

A couple of weeks ago I invested a whopping $9.89, including postage, for one of those chinese OBD2 diagnostic scan tools and then downloaded the latest Forscan program to my laptop. When it arrived I went out to the Sportsman and plugged it in. Within seconds it connected to the car and asked me if it was LTD/Fairlane/Fairmont or Forte/Futura/XR! So it recognised the odd hybrid AU setup immediately and started scanning. It pulled up half a dozen old codes straight away and let me clear them then scanned again automatically and pulled up a current code that told me my VCT solenoid was playing up which I duly changed and now I've picked up about 50-60km to the tank.

That little $10 investment saved me a bucket load of cash chasing my fuel economy problem and the beauty of the Forscan program is that it not only pulls the codes and allows you to clear them but the codes it pulls, it tells you what they are and there's a troubleshooting guide to help you track down the problem, AND IT'S FREE!! What an excellent bit of kit.
It also does real time logging and other stuff but I haven't played with that yet but even without any of that it's an absolute must have in your AU tool kit as far as I'm concerned, I love it.

Just thought I'd share.

Bushbasher

[rayban76]

I know what you mean, mine actually arrived today but I managed to use AU11LTD's on my ute and did the same as you, scanned it, weed the codes which removed the airbag fault light for me as well ... Such a cheap investment for a great tool to have .

[dgrover]

Originally Posted by Bushbasher

A couple of weeks ago I invested a whopping $9.89, including postage, for one of those chinese OBD2 diagnostic scan tools
Bushbasher

Do you have an ebay link to the diag tool, thanks

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by dgrover

Do you have an ebay link to the diag tool, thanks

Search ELM327 on Ebay.

I agree Bushy, great bit of Kit. As Rayban76 mentioned above, we managed to clear his airbag light with it, so now he has a ute with working passenger airbag. Win Win.

I originally purchased it for the real time data that it can provide. As I cannot get a Quarterhorse strategy for my I6, I wanted it to show me how it is running by looking at the short and long term fuel trims. It works great on both my cars, I6 and V8.

There is a whole thread on this kit in the AU section somewhere - lots of great advice. Must find and read it again now.

Cheers
Stu

[BHDOGS]

I did this today myself got the trouble codes ect i tried the key on engine off or key on engine on diagnostics and while it started the test i could tell because the climate control displayed everything it kept saying test failed has anybody got this function to work on forscan yet?

[Bushbasher]

Mine worked perfectly. I just followed the instructions that came up on the screen in the pop up window. Did you put your foot on the brake and turn the wheel when it asked with the engine running test?

[BHDOGS]

It never gave me the option test started after bout 5 seconds said test can't be completed and stopped itself

[BHDOGS]

It says the following

error

unable to run test:
PCM- key on engine off (koeo)
Please make sure test conditions are in place.

[Bushbasher]

Hold on, I'll go out and plug mine in and see what the test conditions are supposed to be.

[Bushbasher]

Ok,
Vehicle must be stationary and in Park or Neutral
Hand brake must be on
If your car is manual you may need to depress the clutch during the test
Do not activate vehicle switches during the test

... that's what the pop up window says.

[BHDOGS]

Hmmm I'll try handbrake on this time the rest I'm already doing Cheers bush basher

[BHDOGS]

alright i did the test and it found these errrors

code:po116-suspect sensor
module: powertrain control module

not sure what that means

and error PO171
system to lean bank 1

then gives 5 possible causes for that error so seems to work pretty well

[Bushbasher]

clear the codes and do the test again, They may be old codes.

[supershifty]

Nice to see someone having a win bushbasher - thumbs up champ!

auIILTD - I think you're talking about these threads: http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11373845 + http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11326889

Cheers!

[bartsau]

Well I think it is time I purchased a cable (only $8 or something.... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ELM327-V1...83b046c&_uhb=1

This may help me figure out what the hell my car has been doing of late...

[Bushbasher]

Mine is a bluetooth one and it works just fine. Cost me about $9.50. I didn't want the cable getting in the way while doing real time logging.

[mif73]

Hi basher.
I got a usb version from an aus seller for 18 bucks and it arrived 3 days later.
Running forscan and it is pretty cool.

I ran my au with live data on the scope screen and i like it a lot.

It also found a dtc code on the wifes fg hvac unit : B2010 servo motor panel door circuit failure.

After i saw the code i noticed the fan would not blow onto the floor position, so gotta mention that to the dealer as its under extended warranty.

You cant complain with what you get for so little.

If you like diy on your car then get one fellas.

[bartsau]

Ok so I have received the cable in the mail. I have also installed the Forscan program on my laptop and have now tried to use it. But with no luck just keeps coming up saying that "No ELM found. Please check connection and try again"...

Any ideas anyone?

Or is this the issue my car is having? I have tried 4 different scan tools so far and all can see the PCM without any issues but cannot see any other module? What could be the cause of this...any ideas would be appreciated as otherwise it is going to be a matter of pulling the entire dashfloor loom out and checking each and every connection/fuse/relay/module until I find the fault.

[Evgeni]

I had that problem when I first ran forscan. Try a different usb port if you have one.
For the first time, I had to run the engine for the program to talk to the computer. After that it would hook up whilst the ignition was on reds.

[GASXD]

For those having issues, try this link http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/s...-obd2-software
Solved the problem I had, and might help others.

[mif73]

Originally Posted by GASXD

For those having issues, try this link http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/s...-obd2-software
Solved the problem I had, and might help others.

Yep do that.
You have to install the correct driver for your version of windows first.

[dgrover]

Can anyone post a link on ebay for any OBD unit that will work on an 1999 AU1,
having difficulty finding one that works with Series 1, Cable or Blue Tooth

Thank's

[auIILTD]

Originally Posted by dgrover

Can anyone post a link on ebay for any OBD unit that will work on an 1999 AU1,
having difficulty finding one that works with Series 1, Cable or Blue Tooth

Thank's

In post 4 dgrover.

Various options here. Cabled versions are a little cheaper.
http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_t...at=0&_from=R40

Stu

[Revolver]

Is there a version for E-Series cars?

I missed out on a scanner that was in the for sale section. Lack of $$$ :(

Sold on ebay for 65 more than what it was advertised on here for. Double :(

[FGII-XR6]

No there isn't a great deal you can do with the E series as they are OBD1 the AU is a ford version of OBD2 and although most scanners wont work the Forscan software has the ability to work with what's called "standard corporate protocol"

Originally Posted by Revolver 45

Is there a version for E-Series cars?

I missed out on a scanner that was in the for sale section. Lack of $$$ :(

Sold on ebay for 65 more than what it was advertised on here for. Double :(

[hagarone]

Originally Posted by auIILTD

Search ELM327 on Ebay.

I agree Bushy, great bit of Kit. As Rayban76 mentioned above, we managed to clear his airbag light with it, so now he has a ute with working passenger airbag. Win Win.

I originally purchased it for the real time data that it can provide. As I cannot get a Quarterhorse strategy for my I6, I wanted it to show me how it is running by looking at the short and long term fuel trims. It works great on both my cars, I6 and V8.

There is a whole thread on this kit in the AU section somewhere - lots of great advice. Must find and read it again now.

Cheers
Stu

Hi Stu, what goes on with airbag light? When we put a passenger airbag in we did not have that problem. All good, first go!

[auIILTD]

Gidday Hagar.

Not 100% of Rays sequence for changing BEM etc, but I am sure he orginally had the dummy plug in the passenger air bag and the put the passenger air bag in. Some how he had the air bag light flashing on the dash thereafter. When we cleared the code and resolved the flashing airbag light, Ray plugged the dummy plug back on again, we cleared the DTCs and then re-instated the passenger airbag - no more flashing airbag light!

Obviously somehow in the process, a trouble code developed - once cleared, all was good.

Cheers
Stu

[Bill M]

Nice work guys! watching this thread with interest.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by mif73

Yep do that.
You have to install the correct driver for your version of windows first.

Hello guys,

if I read this correctly I can use ELM327 on my laptop Windows 7 by downloading the correct driver for Win 7 even though the ELM 327 auction listing says no windows 7?
I am a windows newbie coming from a Mac household

[auIILTD]

Yes, I am using windows7 Basic on my netbook.