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OBD II Code Reader for Outback

16 messages,  Last post on Apr 17, 2009 at 9:55 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 2 of 2

#7 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [ateixeira] by jfl

Jan 13, 2007 (12:59 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 12, 2007 9:23 am)
The closer they are, the quicker the delivery. Not fun at all tracking your package across the country by truck as you await delivery!
 
Jim

#8 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [xwesx] by fibber2

Jan 17, 2007 (1:20 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 12, 2007 11:34 am)
Gee Wes, I am honored to think that you would have kept that! Got to admit that I too have a file of key posts that I have copied over the years. The Crew is a great resource.
 
For the member who posted the question: Beware, that while the generic 16 pin OBD-II connector may look the same, the pinout will be different depending on which of the protocols are used. I don't think you will harm anything as Gnd & +12 are typically in the same place and only the signal lines change, but best to be sure before trying....
 
I ended up with the Auto Enginuity tool that runs on a laptop. AutoTap is also another big player in the PC based market. They allow you to monitor a number of sensors realtime, much like the shops have. Realize that the error codes are only a best guess based on what the computer thinks is going wrong. Many times that is correct, but sometimes it can send you down an expensive wrong path. Watching an error occur, seeing what all the other sensors see, and knowing what the driving conditions were and how the car reacted at the time of the event is the key to a correct diagnosis.
 
Steve

#9 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [fibber2] by xwesx

Jan 17, 2007 (2:24 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 17, 2007 1:20 pm)
What can I say, Steve, unlike some ( ), you write quality posts with useful information. I figure that rather than replicate the research you have already done, why not benefit from it to focus my own inquiries? Keeping a copy is a lot more handy than trying to remember when, where, etc. I have a handful of posts by various members to which I refer on occasion.
 
Looking at the Auto Enginuity tool, the price (for what it does) seems reasonable. More expensive than the handhelds available, but also far more useful as you discussed. I would really like it to have the expanded capabilities offered for other makes like Ford, GM, Toyota, etc. Will you confirm, then, that you are limited to engine/emission diagnostics?
 
Oh, and I confirmed on Saturday that my little Innova handheld is not compatible with the '07. Ah, well, I guess I will have to find a buyer for it so I can get some sort of salvage value out of it. In case anyone is wondering, the diagnostics interface port is now located under the dash, facing straight down (no cover), just "behind" the area of the hood release latch.

#10 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [fibber2] by xwesx

Jan 17, 2007 (2:29 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 17, 2007 1:20 pm)
Okay, so I was looking at AutoTap's website and while they did not provide much written information on the tool, they did offer a large variety of screen shots. Given the price differential (~$50 less for AutoTap), why did you choose the AE over this one?

#11 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [xwesx] by fibber2

Jan 17, 2007 (7:03 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 17, 2007 2:29 pm)
Good question...
 
At the time of my purchase ('mid '05), AutoTap was not CAN compliant. So I wrote them off. Not that it mattered for my two '02 cars, but I was looking towards the future. And I guess the AE speedtracer software looked sexy, but I admit to have never used it. After I made the purchase, however, I did have some buyers remorse. I could not monitor as many functions simultaniously as advertized. Some of it may have been buggy software, but probably it was the ancient P1-133mhz laptop that I dedicated for automotive use. It could not keep up and sometimes choked. AE only used a serial port cable at the time, and our newer laptops only have USB. Recently I picked up a Serial to USB converter to use with a newer laptop, and downloaded the latest 4.x software (mine came with 3.1 ?). Just have not had the time or need yet to try it out. You now have a choice when ordering of output connectors.
 
Some time ago I got into a private discussion with someone who went with the AutoTap. One feature he found interesting was the ability to monitor some of the transmission sensors, like fluid temp! I don't believe that the AE in stock form can see beyond the P0/P1 engine computer codes. Last year I got on a mail list from AutoTap that provided some case histories, and they mentioned tranny monitoring, so I guess its true. I was going to write to AE and ask why I could not do the same, but never acted on it.
 
Some of the AT case histories were interesting, some bad advertising... See if these are still available from their site, or if not I can e-mail them to you.
 
BTW, sorry again about your OBW. I see from your post above that you got an '07?
 
Steve

#12 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [fibber2] by subearu

Jan 17, 2007 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 17, 2007 7:03 pm)
FWIW: http://www.obd-2.com/ can do CAN (labeled as TriCAN in their product listing).
 
-Brian

#13 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [fibber2] by xwesx

Jan 17, 2007 (7:27 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Jan 17, 2007 7:03 pm)
BTW, sorry again about your OBW. I see from your post above that you got an '07?
 
Eh, thanks. I have mostly moved on at this point. Just have to find the darn title for the '96 to actually get rid of it. We discussed a variety of purchase options but my wife settled (real early on) with "I will only consider another Subaru." Well, that limited options right away! Haha. I looked around for some older ones, '96-'99 since I know the '96 like the back of my hand and really like the body style. She did not want to get something that old (usually "high" mileage up here) or sight unseen if I were to go with one down yonder and drive it back up. The plus was that we could buy it out of pocket rather than taking a loan. So, she says she wants 3 yo or newer, so basically '04+. With about a 4K differential between 04 and 07 (trim level we were considering), and considering higher interest rates on used, it did not make a lot of sense to go for a used car - not locally anyway. So, '04 body style is bleah, '05 had some issues, and '06 is not available, that left '07. We got a "Basic" with manual transmission. I am still getting used to it (the circumstances surrounding the need to purchase leaves a sour taste in my mouth about the whole thing), but I will probably grow to like it. I love the seats. I have never in my life sat on such a perfect-fitting seat. My wife agrees. The interior, though, feels much smaller than the '96. My son (2.5 yo, Cosco car seat, center seating position) gets mud all over the back of the front seats with his boots, while in the '96 he was about 3" away from them. What's more, we sit with the driver seat back fully erect and the seat is toward the front range of the slider, so for most people it would sit even closer to the rear seat area.
 
Hahaha... ah well. At least we did not go with an exterior color that came with the taupe interior!
 
Oops... I just hijacked an otherwise very topic-oriented thread. I will take another look at those scanner sites (including the one Brian posted) and reply again tomorrow.

#14 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [xwesx] by goosegog

May 07, 2007 (12:32 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jan 17, 2007 2:24 pm)
Jason, I have an Innova (Equus? it's blue) and it worked with No. 1 daughter's 04 Hyundai and No. 2 daughter's 99 Golf, but not my 00 OB. However, after email discussion with Innova they said send it back and they would upgrade it free. Which they did. And it works. It's also supposed to be CAN compliant.

#15 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [goosegog] by xwesx

May 07, 2007 (5:06 pm)

Replying to: goosegog (May 07, 2007 12:32 pm)
Thanks for the update, Brian! I am currently trying to get rid of the '07 and purchased a '98 Caravan instead. It works with the Caravan, so I guess that is one "crisis" averted; as long as the replacement vehicle proves reliable over the next few years. Otherwise I will let my wife start shoveling the dirt back into the hole I have dug for myself (while I am still in it, of course).

#16 of 16 Re: OBD II Code Reader for Outback [xwesx] by jsaban

Apr 17, 2009 (9:55 am)

Replying to: xwesx (May 07, 2007 5:06 pm)
I have an 07 Outback and I was having the check engine light come on. Bought a CAN enabled scanner that worked great (thanks to the posts on this talking about CAN...had no idea). This scanner is great, since it reads live data too, which is very beneficial on my older vehicles.
 
http://mechanicdoctor.com/p-3229-u581-can-enabled-universal-obdii-w-live-data.as- px
 
I could not be happier with this little device and cannot believe how I could have lived without it before. It works on my 01 Suburban, 07 OB, 04 Accord.

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