Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

OBDScan Manual Version March 22, 2005 Congratulations for choosing the Harrison R&D OBDScan. We have made every attempt to insure your success with this product. lease ta!e time to read through these operating instructions and "ecome familiar with the operating procedure. #he OBDScan #ool$ ena"les access to your vehicle%s diagnostic information. Read and clear Diagnostic #rou"le Codes from the vehicle%s memory$ turn off the &Chec! 'ngine( light$ and read real)time sensor measurements are *ust some of the features offered "y the OBDScan #ool. What is a Scan Tool? +n today%s cars the microcomputer is used e,tensively for engine control$ antiloc! "ra!es$ air "ag control$ active suspension and many other applications. -icrocomputers communicate with the outside world through a .user interface%$ which could "e a !ey"oard$ mouse and CR# as on your home computer or a Scan #ool in the case of the OBD)++ computer. +magine trying to communicate with your home computer without a !ey"oard and CR#. Humans cannot communicate directly with a computer so a .user interface% is re/uired. #he Scan #ool is the !ey"oard)CR# e/uivalent for your vehicle computer. 0s mandated "y 1.S. law$ the OBD)++ Scan #ool has a single$ standard interface connector used to mate with the vehicle. #his connector has "een defined "y the standard S0')23456 and -1S# "e located within 3 meter of the steering wheel and must not re/uire any tools to access. Using the Scan Tool #he Scan #ool provides access to the vehicle sensor readings$ emission system status and trou"le codes. -any mechanics ma!e use of a scan tool to assist in diagnosing and repairing pro"lems. Repair shops charge 789 or more to read the Diagnostic #rou"le Code one time. urchasing a OBDScan can pay for it%s self in as little as two uses: 'ven if you don%t do your own repair wor!$ the !nowledge you gain from reading the trou"le codes yourself can !eep the repair shop honest and demonstrate to the shop that they are not dealing with an uninformed customer. #he OBDScan can clear the trou"le code and turn off the Chec! 'ngine light after the repair has "een made. Supported Vehicles: #he OBDScan will support all OBD)++ compliant vehicles. #his means all cars and light truc! sold in ;orth 0merica "eginning with the 3445 model year. 1

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

#here are a few !nown OBD)++ pro"lems on certain vehicles$ the 6999 ;issan -a,ima and 0ltima$ some 6999 Su<u!i%s$ 3445)344= Hyundai and 3445)6999 Daewoo. We do not support the 3445)3444 >ord >)6?9@A?9 Diesel engine vehicles at this time. OBDScan for Windows Software #he OBDScan application is a fully Windows 4?@48@-'@6999@B compliant program$ written in -icrosoft Cisual Basic 5.9. #o install OBDScan$ follow directions on the CD or download from the we" site at www.ghg.net@dharrison@software.htm. We recommend getting the latest software from our we" site. #he install program will install the e,ecuta"le file and all re/uired DDD%s. +n some instances you may receive a warning message$ if so it is usually safe to choose to ignore the warning. Getting Started with OBDScan Version !"" Before connecting the protocol converter$ launch OBDScan "y either dou"le clic!ing the icon or selecting it from the ROER0-S menu. Fou should see the screen shown in >ig3.

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

#igure $! OBDScan Dis%la& Screen Select the CO- port or 1SB that will "e used communication "y clic!ing on the Connection menu "ar item as shown a"ove. Select the desired CO- port from the drop down menu. +f the selected port is not availa"le or "eing used "y another program then you will get an error. 0 common source of this error is the alm HotSync program. #he Windows operating system only allows one program at a time to control any individual CO- port$ so "e sure to /uit any other applications that may use the CO- port to "e used "y OBDScan. Once you have successfully selected a CO- port$ the &'C1 Status( "o, will change from red to yellow with the message &'C1 +nit($ meaning that it%s waiting on the protocol converter to initiali<e the 'C1. By completing this phase$ youGre ready to go on to actual communication with a vehicle. Connecting to a Cehicle ) lease chec! to "e sure that your vehicle is 3445 or newer and is compati"le with the interface type purchased. +f you purchased the OBDScan)universal model then

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

all 3445)6996 cars and light duty truc!s with will wor!. #he C0;Scan will wor! with 699A and later vehicles with C0; "us. Cars "etween 699A and 699= model year can "e either C0; "us or the older OBD)++ interface types$ call or email us to "e sure you have the correct interface type if in /uestion. Docate the OBD)++ connector$ it%s re/uired "y 1.S. law to "e within 3 meter of the steering wheel. +t%s usually located under the dash$ "ut if not there then chec! "ehind ashtrays and in any console compartments. Be sure your computer is within ca"le reach of the OBD)++ connector. Fou can use up to ?9ft of RS6A6 e,tender if re/uired. With the ignition off$ plug in the OBD connecter on the protocol converter to the mate in the vehicle. Start the vehicle engine and the 'C1 Status indicator will change green when the 'C1 has "een initiali<ed. Once it%s green$ select &Re/uest Diagnostic #rou"le Codes( "y clic!ing the mouse with the cursor over the "utton. Fou should get a display in the vehicle status window li!eH -+D is O>>$ #here are no trou"le codes set. +f your -+D light is O; and@or you have trou"le codes set$ then your display should indicate so. Fou can find the definitions for the S0' trou"le codes on the Harrison R&D we" site. 0s defined "y S0')6936$ diagnostic trou"le codes ID#CJ consist of a three digit numeric code preceded "y an alphanumeric designator. +f the alphanumeric designator is . 9% then the trou"le code is S0' defined$ however if the alphanumeric designator is . 3% then the D#C is manufacturer defined and you will need a shop manual for the vehicle to decode the D#C. >or e,ample$ if a trou"le code of 93?9 was displayed$ then it is S0'controlled and would indicate a pro"lem in the O6 sensor. +f the D#C was 3648 then you would have to consult the shop manual for an e,planation. #o clear any trou"le codes and turn off the -+D$ select the function &Clear@Reset Diagnostic #rou"le Codes(. #his clears all trou"le codes and turns off the -+D. ;ow select &Re/uest Current ower #rain Diagnostic Data(. Fou will see data appear in "oth the Cehicle Status Window and Cehicle Data Window. #he data appearing at this time is mostly optional and varies from vehicle to vehicle. 0ny data appearing the Cehicle Data Window can "e selected for real time display "y dou"le clic!ing the item. >or e,ample$ to see throttle position move the cursor to the line in the Cehicle Data Window where throttle position is displayed and clic! twice. 0 window will pop up li!e the one shown in >ig. 6. #his window will continuously display throttle position until you press the Stop "utton on the >ast Data Display window. #he >ast Data Display provides a real trou"leshooting "enefit with the large characters for easy viewing and rapid update rate for fast changing data and the new strip chart recorder so that your data is availa"le in graphic form. Fou can print data from the main screen "y selecting the rint "utton. OBDScan always uses the system default printer.

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

#igure 2! #ast Data Dis%la& Window

'ogging Data to Dis( +t%s now possi"le to save selected data to dis! using the data log screen. Fou get to this screen "y clic!ing the Data Dog on the menu "ar. 0 drop down menu will appear with a single item$ -ultiCiew. Fou can only select the log function if you have previously selected the .Re/uest Current owertrain Diagnostic Data%from the startup window. #he data log screen loo!s li!e figure A.

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

#igure ! Data 'og Screen #o log data$ you first select the num"erso of items you wish to log in the "ottom "o,$ G;um"er of arametersG$ then select the actual parameters that will "e logged "y holding the mouse over the down arrow at the right side of the .Select 1p #o Si, arameters to Record% "o,. 0 drop down menu will pop down and then you move the mouse to the selected parameter$ as shown in figure K. Fou must ma!e sure the value selected in the ;um"er of arameters "o, e/uals the num"er of parameters you have actually selected. 0fter the parameters have "een selected clic! .Start Dog% and you will "e as!ed for a file name to save the data in and then the data logging will "egin. #he four Display "o,es on the right side of the window will display the selected parameters in real time while the data is "eing logged. #o end the data log operation$ clic! the red .Stop Dog% "utton. #he data is saved in a te,t format in the file you selected. )*%ort a data lof file into +,cel Open ',cel$ select Data L Eet ',ternal Data L +mport #e,t >ile. Select the log file using the >ile Open dialog "o,. When the log file loads$ ',cel will open a #e,t +mport Wi<ard. On the first window select Delimited then ;e,t. #he ne,t window will open. +n the Delimiters "o, select GCommaG then clic! ;e,t. +n the 6

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

ne,t window$ Step A$ clic! Eeneral in the Column Data >ormat as shown "elow. Clic! >inish then OM on the ne,t window which as!s where to put the data$ it will go in the default location.

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

When the log file imports the ',cel window should loo! similar to the figure "elow. #he column on the far right is a relitive time from the start of the log.

OBDScan Users Guide Using OBDScan 0 scan tool is one of the most important tools a mechanic can have today. With virtually all engine control under the guidance of a computer the need for visi"ility into the vehicle control system is a"solute. OBDScan provides the data re/uired to diagnose and repair engine pro"lems /uic!ly and efficiently. $! -onnecting OBDScan to a .ehicle Be sure that the OBDScan software was installed from the dis!s supplied per the instructions "efore proceeding. Docate the OBD++ connector in the vehicle I#he connector must "e located within one meter of the steering wheel and must not re/uire any tools to "e revealed. Doo! under the dash and "ehind ashtraysJ and connect the mating OBDScan connector to it. +t will loo! li!e the figure "elowH

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

Helpful link for finding the connector: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/dearmfr/vpcd9814.pdf ;e,t connect the RS)6A6 ca"le with the DB4 connector to the serial port of either a laptop or des!top computer. Fou will need to !now if the serial port you%re using is CO-3$ 6 or A. Consult your user manual for the computer to find out. +f more ca"le length is needed you can use a standard RS)6A6 e,tension ca"le which has a 4 pin male on one end and a 4 pin female on the other$ the e,tension ca"le can "e up to ?9 feet if needed. 2! O%eration Run the OBDScan e,ecuta"le program. When the screen shown in figure 3 appears$ clic! in the appropriate CO- port to start. #he 'C1 status indicator should "e yellow and say &'C1 +nit(. ;ow either start the vehicle or switch the ignition to the .On% position. #he 'C1 status should turn green if the vehicle is OBD)++ and the correct CO- port was selected. 0llow K)? seconds for communication to "egin. Clic! on &Re/uest Current ower train Diagnostic Data( and a screen similar to >igure 3 should appear. ;O#'H +n some cars$ Chrysler$ -itsu"ishi$ Colvo and M+0$ the transmission controller will respond "efore the engine controller and will only provide 6)A engine parameters and test results. +f this is the case then clic! on &Change 'C1( and retry &Re/uest Current ower train Diagnostic Data(. Fou should get most OBD)++ mandated test results and most of the data parameters shown in #a"le 3. #he e,act data will vary from car to car. ;e,t clic! on &Re/uest Diagnostic #rou"le Codes( and you should normally get a message that indicates that the -+D is not on and there are no trou"le codes. +f the -+D is on$ then the message will indicate so and list the trou"le codes$ which caused the -+D to illuminate. +f trou"le codes were present and the pro"lem has "een fi,ed$ you can clic! on &Clear@Reset Diagnostic #rou"le Codes( to clear trou"le codes and turn off the -+D. Only use the clear trou"le codes function with the engine off and the ignition switch in the .on% position. ! What does the data *ean/ 9

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

The OBD ++ specification re/uires on"oard diagnostic software that loo!s at system efficiency$ and system failures. #he 'C1 does this with very sophisticated software monitors$ which are constantly evaluating the health of the vehicle emissions system. #o the professional or shadetree mechanic$ it%s li!e having an e,pert mechanic living under the hood. 0s you use the scan tool to read test status and diagnostic data$ you may find some of the tests are complete and others not complete. 0 test which is not complete does not necessarily indicate a pro"lem$ the 'C1 may "e evaluating an OBD trip or drive cycle. #o complete an OBD trip the vehicle must reach at least 359 deg >.$ the conditions for the monitoring tests must "e met$ and the tests completed to a pass@fail point. Remem"er$ not all OBD)++ vehicles support all possi"le status and data items. OBD Status +temsH A. Misfire Monitoring #he diagnostic monitor must determine if there is single or multiple cylinder misfires. #his test measures flywheel acceleration after firing each spar! plug to determine if there was a misfire or not. +f misfires e,ceed 6N then an error condition e,ists B. Number Of O !gen Sensors ;um"er of O6 sensors on the vehicle. Since OBD)++ mandates two O6 sensors per catalytic converter$ the num"er should always "e even. ". "omponent Monitoring 0 comprehensive test of the emissions related sensors and effectors to validate their operation. #. "atal!tic "on$erter Monitor 0 test to determine the efficiency of the catalytic converter. #he OBD software compares the O6 sensors pre and post catalytic converter. #he post converter sensor should show very little change in output voltage over time with respect to the pre converter O6 sensor. %. &eated "atal!tic "on$erter Monitor -easure the length of time it ta!es for the catalyst to "egin operation after a cold start. +f the time e,ceed a manufacture set limit an error condition is set. >. 'vaporative System -onitor 0mount other things$ will detect a missing or loose gas cap and lea!s in the unpressuri<ed fuel system '. Secondar! Air S!stem Monitor -onitors the performance of the secondary air system "y evaluating the catalytic converter performance when the secondary air is engaged.

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Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

&. A(" )efrigerant Monitor -onitors the pressure of the refrigerant *. O !gen Sensor Monitor #his test monitor the operation of the O6 sensor as the fuel@air mi,ture is ad*usted "etween rich and lean. #he time needed to ma!e the transition from rich to lean cannot surpass 399ms on the pre)catalytic converter O6 sensor. +. O !gen Sensor &eater Monitor #his test monitors the length of time it ta!es for the O6 sensor to "egin operation. #he turn)on time varies with the vehicle and O6 sensor and is set "y the manufacturer. ,. %') Monitor 0 change in -0 is used to determine the status of the 'ER system. #he 'ER valve will "e forced open during closed throttle deceleration and a change in -0 is used to determine proper operation. -. .uel Trim Monitor >uel trim monitoring loo!s at the average short) or long)term correction needed to "ring the air@fuel ratio into line. +f these fuel trim values reach and stay at their limits for a period of time$ a malfunction is indicated. M. "ommanded Secondar! Air Status +ndication of secondary air engaged or not.

%missions )elated %ngine #ata #he ne,t set of data consists of mostly sensor data and two calculated values$ Calculated load and Short and Dong #erm >uel #rim. #he calculated load is a relative num"er estimating engine load Itor/ueJ for the given R -. #he fuel trim num"ers represent the average short) or long)term correction needed to "ring the air@fuel ratio into stoichiometry. +f these fuel trim values reach and stay at their limits for a period of time$ a malfunction is indicated. #he ignition timing is the value set "y the 'C1 and does not include any mechanical advance$ however most of today%s engines are totally electronic and have no mechanical advance.

Table /. OB# #ata *tems: 0. Calculated Doad B. Coolant #emp. C. Short and Dong term >uel #rim D. >uel ressure '. +nta!e -anifold ressure 11

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net >. R E. Cehicle Speed H. +gnition #iming 2. +nta!e 0ir #emp M. 0ir >low D. #hrottle osition -. O,ygen Sensor Coltage

Houston, TX

#he remainder of the data consists of the various sensor readings which will vary from vehicle to vehicle. "oolant Temp. 0 Represents the temperature of the engines coolant. ;ormally a"out 389)349 Deg. >. on most cars .uel 1ressure 0 Represents the regulated pressure on the fuel rail. #his is a very important valueO the fuel@air ratio is determined "y length of time the fuel in*ector is pulsed on. +f the fuel pressure is not constant$ then the 'C1 cannot maintain the correct fuel@air ratio$ causing emissions or performance pro"lems. *nta2e Manifold 1ressure ) #his sensor creates a signal that is proportional to the average pressure in the inta!e manifold. #he pressure should "e low and fairly steady at idle and light loads and will go higher as the load increases$ up to atmospheric pressure. *nta2e Air Temp 0 1sually a resistive device IthermistorJ which is placed in the inta!e air stream$ and provides a voltage proportional to temperature. Air .lo3 0 #his sensor provides a voltage which is representative of the airflow into the inta!e manifold. -ost newer vehicles us a .hot wire anemometer( type sensor for this measurement. Throttle 1osition Sensor 0 #his sensor generates a voltage proportional to instantaneous throttle position I9)399NJ. O !gen Sensor Voltage 0 #his sensor is much more complicated than the other sensors and deserves a more detailed e,planation. Basically$ the O6 sensor indicates the presence or a"sence of o,ygen in the e,haust stream. #he 'C1$ in order to !eep emissions low$ ad*usts the fuel@air ratio at stoichiometry$ the e,act mi,ture which will completely "urn all fuel with the o,ygen present in the cylinder$ leaving no fuel or o,ygen in the e,haust. 0s the fuel@air ratio deviates from stoichiometry$ then either o,ygen or hydrocar"ons Iun"urnt fuelJ will "e present in the e,haust. #he o,ygen sensor produces a low voltage$ P9.3v$ when o,ygen is present in the e,haust and produces a high voltage$ L9.8v$ when there is no o,ygen in the e,haust. #he 'C1 uses the voltage output from the o,ygen sensor to ma!e slight ad*ustments to the amount of fuel in*ected to !eep the fuel@air ratio near stoichiometry. +t does this "y increasing the fuel to get a high reading$ meaning that there is no o,ygen in the e,haust$ the slightly decreasing 12

Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

the amount of fuel until the o,ygen sensor reading drops low. #his process goes on continuously to !eep the average fuel@air ratio as close to stoichiometry as possi"le. One last thing to !now a"out o,ygen sensors$ they only operate relia"ly after "eing heated to A?9 deg. C and higher. 4. Trouble Shooting 1roblems 0. 'rrors or warnings during the installation Q +t is generally safe to ignore these messages. Some of the very old versions of Windows 4? are not compati"le with the OBDScan software. #ry to upgrade your OS to the latest version which your computer will support. #he 'C1 status turns yellow when the com port is selected "ut never turns green ) #his could "e due to several pro"lems. >irst "e sure that the com port you have selected is really availa"le on your computer. Be sure that the OBDScan converter is plugged in the vehicle$ the !ey is in the O; position or the engine is running$ and the RS)6A6 is securely connected to the OBDScan unit and the com port on the computer. #ry unplugging the OBD)++ connecter for 39 seconds then reconnecting it. Sometimes this is needed to get the system synchroni<ed. When trying to select a com port$ you get an error message that the port is unavaila"le or already open Q #his means the you have tried to connect to a non)e,istent com device or the port is "eing tied up "y another application. #he data values are not correct or vary widely Q 1se the OBDScan with the engine running. Some cars won%t respond correctly unless the engine is running and$ in some cases$ the engine is at operating temp. #he Eas -ileage num"ers loo! wrong Q #he OBDScan program does a calculation "ased on sensor data from the vehicle. +f the vehicle sensors are not cali"rated then the reading will "e wrong. Fou can still use the function to show where the mileage pea!s in relative terms.

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Contact +nformationH &arrison )5# 6789 Sage:ueen &ouston T . ;;876

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Harrison R&D

www.obdscan.net

Houston, TX

+n conclusion$ the OBDScan is designed to "e "oth a useful vehicle repair tool and an aid in learning a"out and e,ploring the ODB)++ Diagnostic +nterface. Demystifying the OBD)++ port and putting vehicle owners "ac! in control of there property is important$ after all$ you paid a handsome price for that late model car or truc!$ don%t let the automa!ers .virtually weld the hood% on yours. 1hone 97/047<0;/8; email: dharrison=ghg.net internet 333.obdscan.net lease use the internet to get the latest information on the OBDScan products. 0ll software updates and help are free as long as you own the product. +f firmware changes o the protocol converter are re/uired$ there will "e a small charge for the +C replacement.

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