Guide Rating and Review
Winsted Group Inc. OBD-II Interface Winsted Group Inc. OBD-II Interface
I'm often asked if there is software that will allow a laptop computer to be used as a scan tool. Well, yes, there is. I tried out the Winsted Group Inc. OBD-II Interface and was quite pleased on how it worked.
There are several packages for different makes of vehicles. The one I tried out was the ELM320: OBD-II Adapter for PWM (Ford) v2.0 interpreter complete with cables and housing.
The software was quick and easy to load into my lap top. I then connected the interface adapter to the COM 1 port of the lap top and plugged it into a 1998 Ford Taurus. When I started the program it automatically did a search, found and accessed the cars PCM.
The start screen allows you to set some base parameters such as language, measurement type and scan time. You can go to two different screens that display, in real time, what some of the sensors are doing.
There is a screen that shows the engine RPM, vehicle speed, and horsepower based on information from the PCM.
Then there is the Diagnostic Trouble Codes screen. This screen gives you all the stored codes and what they are. Invaluable information for diagnosing and repairing your vehicle. It will also give you a complete list of all the OBD-II codes, generic and vehicle specific.
What would be a nice addition here is the ability to click on a particular code and have an explanation, in plain english, of what the code is saying.
Often the code descriptions can be misleading to a DIY and result in a wrong diagnosis. A more detailed explanation would help prevent that.
Another nice thing is you can drive the vehicle with the lap top connected so you can see what is going on as you drive. I would highly recommend the use of an assistant so one can monitor the readings and the other can drive without distraction. Another nice feature to include would be the ability to store the information gathered for future analysis.
Also, from this screen you can clear the codes and turn of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
Upgrades to the software are an easy download away so you will always be current.
All in all a nice tool for the DIY with a lap top. My lap top is a dual boot system so I was able to use it under Windows 98SE and Windows 2000 Pro. It ran without crashing on both operating systems.
The software and interface I tested lists for $129.00 US and $188.00 CDN. But if you are good with a soldering iron, you can get it as a kit and build it for yourself for $99.00.
There is no version for the Mac.
Some features missing are the ability to store data, more detailed code descriptions and a good help file. You can put the cursor over an item and get a description of what it is, but no actual help with the program. The kit I got had no written documentation either. And maybe they can come up with a "Pro" kit for professional technicians.
All things considered, it is still a handy tool to have and the price is not bad.
Winsted Group Inc.
57 McDonald Street
Alliston, ON L9R 1G3
Telephone: (705) 435-2242
Fax: (705) 435-6419
E-mail: jstead@wgi-web.com
Additional Information provided courtesy of AllDATA
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 Vincent T. Ciulla All Rights Reserved
I'm often asked if there is software that will allow a laptop computer to be used as a scan tool. Well, yes, there is. I tried out the Winsted Group Inc. OBD-II Interface and was quite pleased on how it worked.
There are several packages for different makes of vehicles. The one I tried out was the ELM320: OBD-II Adapter for PWM (Ford) v2.0 interpreter complete with cables and housing.
The software was quick and easy to load into my lap top. I then connected the interface adapter to the COM 1 port of the lap top and plugged it into a 1998 Ford Taurus. When I started the program it automatically did a search, found and accessed the cars PCM.
The start screen allows you to set some base parameters such as language, measurement type and scan time. You can go to two different screens that display, in real time, what some of the sensors are doing.
There is a screen that shows the engine RPM, vehicle speed, and horsepower based on information from the PCM.
Then there is the Diagnostic Trouble Codes screen. This screen gives you all the stored codes and what they are. Invaluable information for diagnosing and repairing your vehicle. It will also give you a complete list of all the OBD-II codes, generic and vehicle specific.
What would be a nice addition here is the ability to click on a particular code and have an explanation, in plain english, of what the code is saying.
Often the code descriptions can be misleading to a DIY and result in a wrong diagnosis. A more detailed explanation would help prevent that.
Another nice thing is you can drive the vehicle with the lap top connected so you can see what is going on as you drive. I would highly recommend the use of an assistant so one can monitor the readings and the other can drive without distraction. Another nice feature to include would be the ability to store the information gathered for future analysis.
Also, from this screen you can clear the codes and turn of the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL).
Upgrades to the software are an easy download away so you will always be current.
All in all a nice tool for the DIY with a lap top. My lap top is a dual boot system so I was able to use it under Windows 98SE and Windows 2000 Pro. It ran without crashing on both operating systems.
The software and interface I tested lists for $129.00 US and $188.00 CDN. But if you are good with a soldering iron, you can get it as a kit and build it for yourself for $99.00.
Hardware Requirements:
- ELM RS232 interpreter interface and appropriate cables
- OBD-II compliant vehicle (1996 and up)
- A windows based computer with 6 mb available hard drive space and one available com port.
- Windows 98, ME, XP, NT, 2000
There is no version for the Mac.
Some features missing are the ability to store data, more detailed code descriptions and a good help file. You can put the cursor over an item and get a description of what it is, but no actual help with the program. The kit I got had no written documentation either. And maybe they can come up with a "Pro" kit for professional technicians.
All things considered, it is still a handy tool to have and the price is not bad.
Winsted Group Inc.
57 McDonald Street
Alliston, ON L9R 1G3
Telephone: (705) 435-2242
Fax: (705) 435-6419
E-mail: jstead@wgi-web.com
Additional Information provided courtesy of AllDATA
Copyright © 2000 - 2003 Vincent T. Ciulla All Rights Reserved
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