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| Home --> FAQ --> Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| What kind of computer resources are needed? |
| | In the software overview you might see the needed resources and operating system of the computer running the diagnostic software. As a thumb rule: If the used operating systen runs smoothly there are no other needs because the diagnostic software and hardware always needs less resources than the operating system itself.
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| OBD-II interface without software? |
| | Be carfull not to choice a diagnostic system without software. Most diagnostic software is developped for a particular hardware and do not run with another hardware interface.
So we always ship a complete system of hardware and software. You cannot mix these components.
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| The truth about OBD-II/EOBD |
| | Since several years (2001) we inform about OBD-II but there are still people telling fairy stories about it. Therefore some facts:
- OBD means On-Board-Diagnostic. That is: the car or better his electronic control units (ECU) proofs themselfes permanentely (diagnostic is on board!).
- The test results are shown in case of failure by a trouble lamp (MIL, Check-Engine etc.) in the car (group alarm). Only a diagnostic tool (scantool, scanner, interface with software) will show informations about the kind of failure.
- OBD-II/EOBD is a standard for all car manufacturers and brands and has to be used by them. The legislation to use the standard is however different in different countries. See overview for Europe.
- There are actually more than 8,500 fault messages (error codes) which must not be all implemented in a particular car because not every car has every electronic system. A good scantool shows errorcodes in plain text but they are delivered outside to a tool as code numbers only.
- Further more a scantool can show more than 1000 different realtime data from sensors and other data sources of a car, depending however which sensors a car has. These data can be processed and saved from a computer connected with an diagnostic interface to the car.
- There are actually 9 (nine) different data transfer protocols for OBD-II/EOBD which are not only needed to transfer data to an extern scantool but also between the ECUs of a car itself. A good scantool knows to handle all 9 protocols. A cheaper one does not.
- Therefore OBD-II/EOBD is not only valid for engine controllers but for all other controllers in a car also.
- This is why OBD-II/EOBD is not intended for odometer manipulation or car tuning. Processing of the offered real-time data of a car makes it possible however to calculate the power of a car.
More informations at Techn. Infos does not make an expert but helps in understanding.
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| Cars without OBD-II/EOBD |
| | Older cars without the standard OBD-II/EOBD do have their own manufacturer mandated system which we call usually OBD-1. Some informations about OBD-1 can be found at Techn. Infos/OBD1. Because OBD-1 is not a standard a scantool for such a car must be designed individually for the car or manufacturer brand.
Actually we support some cars and manufacturers: The AMX550 handscanner connects to older VAG (Audi, Seat, Skoda, VW) and Daewoo cars. Also the ElmCan interface together with ScanMaster-ELM software supports some older Alfa Romeo, Opel and Fiat cars with OBD-1. It may be possible to support more cars and brands in the future. | |
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| Support questions? |
| | We offer free support - with one exception:
Not for customers of other companies.
Support is done via phonecall (working days from 09:00 am to 15:00 pm local time) but preferable via email. Please use the support form. Write us as much informations as possible to help you the best. Often it is usefull to send us a log file which nearly every software is writing when configured to do so.
Customers of other companies might consult these companies but not us. | |
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| Does the interface xy work with software yz? |
| | Clear answer: NO. Software is always written for a specific hardware. The software must address the different chips in an interface which makes the bridge between a computer and a car. | |
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| Do I loos the cars waranty when connecting an interface? |
| | No, in contrary. You are able now with help of an interface to find out failures of the car and to have them repaired during waranty time for free.
Please note that interface and software are not intended for changings of the car electronics such as tuning or odometer manipulation but for read data according to the standards. So please do not ask us for any electronic manipulations which we do not support. | |
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| Are there any harms or reactions when connecting the scantool for a longer period? |
| | No, in no case. The electronic controllers and the network of a car are constructed to consist of several nodes. The scantool is just another node which do not bother the other nodes when it uses the correct standards. Therefore it is only importand to use a compliant scantool for the standards. Cheap replicas can however bother this system. So be aware of this. | |
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| For how long time I get support for interfaces and software? |
| | Support is unlimited. Send an email to info@obd-2.de Some software programs are already updated since more than 10 years. So your investment is not outdated and your diagnostic system is garantied to run for years.
New software versions are announced in the News. They may be downloaded from a password protected web page by users which have been send their access data. Forgotten access data can be asked for with the form.
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| I have read a fault with the "Diagnostic-System." And now? |
| | A first hint is the plain text description of the diagnostic trouble code (DTC). As seen in the schematics of the engine controls and components it is quite complicated. For self-repairing you will need some technical knowledge and mostly the shop manual of the car. If not available you should go to the next car shop for repair but you can advise them what to repair. Reason of the fault may be a defective sensor, a short circuit or broken cable, an intermittend contact, a mechanical fault or even a loosen fuel tank cap. Many shop manuals do have check lists to find out quickly what to repair. Very seldom the plain text only of the fault code is sufficient. | |
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| Referenz |
Finally some references from customers but only in german language:
Date: Tue, 22 Jan 2002 21:44:46 +0100
From: Stephan Gland, Zeitz (Email-Adresse gelöscht)
To: info@obd-2.de
Subject: Lieferung
Hallo,
Ich wollte ihnen hiermit mitteilen das das datenkabel schon am 21.01.2002 bei mir eigetroffen ist, es steckte im briefkasten, daher auch keine zollgebühren.
Das kabel funktioniert super mit meinem Mondeo 97, bin absolut begeistert, einfach spitze.
bedanke mich nochmals für den sper support, die schnelle
abwicklung. werde ihre seite 100% weiterempfehlen.
Weiter so!
Ps das mit dem freischaltcode hat auch problemlos funktioniert.
Mfg stephan Gland
Da schon lange nicht mehr publiziert, hier noch eine:
Date: Tue, 14 Oct 2003 19:43:05 +0200
From: "Recep" tschepi@......ch
To: gerhard@tricom.han.de
Subject: Re: Re: Statusänderung Ihrer Bestellung (fwd)
hallo herr müller
danke für ihre schnelle antwort,ich weis nicht ob es ihnen aufgefallen ist
das sie mir schon zweimal geantwortet haben ich habe das problem
gleichzeitig auch auf www.obd-2.de geschildert auch da haben sie heute um
6.17uhr geantwortet ich finde das einfach super wie
sich da einsetzen
ich habe auch mein problem nachdem ich ihre antwort im forum gelesen habe
gelöst gehabt ich hatte einen sharan mit 2 defekten zündspulen und da
leuchtete auch das MIL lämpchen also ich konnte den fehler auslesen und auch
löschen das heisst erfreulicher weise für mich das ich auch das richtige
tool bestellt habe
auf jeden fall bedanke ich mich bei ihnen für ihre schnellen antworte auf
meine fragen
viele grüsse
cepi
und noch eine:
Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 20:37:27 +0200
From: weniger....de
To: gerhard@tricom.han.de
Subject: OBD-2 Nutzerecho/Forum
Sehr geehrter Herr Müller,
gestern blieb ich wegen einer überalterten Batterie unterwegs liegen.
Der nette Herr vom ADAC war so freundlich nach der Starthilfe auch gleich
die möglichen "Geistermeldungen" auszulesen. Es schien mir so als wenn die
Starthilfe einen kleinen Spannungsimpuls verursacht hätte. Und tatsächlich
die Engin-Light war angegangen. Nun zeigte sich aber das jene so hoch angepriesene
Computerhausstattung des ADAC nur eingeschränkte Funktionsfähigkeit aufweist.
Er war erst nach mehrmaligen Versuchen in der Lage eine Verbindung aufzubauen
(die Time-out Rate ist beim ADAC-Programm nicht veränderbar?!); und das
Löschen gelang dem Pannenhelfer leider auch nicht. Zu Hause angekommen schloß
ich meinen 3Jahre alten Billig-Computer ans Auto an und konnte sowohl den Fehler
der sich bei meinem Bordsystem eingeschlichen hatte, auslesen als auch löschen.
Dies zeigt mal wieder die Nützlichkeit des von Ihnen vertriebenen Tricom-Systems.
Beste Grüße, verbunden mit dem Wunsch für weitere Positive Echos, Ihnen und Ihrer Frau.
Günter Weniger aus POTSDAM
Nachricht aus dem Forum:
Thema: ELM327 Bausatz LOB geschrieben am 06.11.2005 um 10:43 Uhr
Ich muss hier einfach mal ein LOB aussprechen !
Habe mir den "ELM327CAN Komplettbausatz" hier gekauft.
Bestellt hatte ich dieses Dienstag Abend und geliefert
wurde schon Donnerstag Mittag - zu meiner Freude, so konnte
ich direkt am Wochenende losslegen und den Bausatz zusammenlöten.
Alleine schon die gute Transportverpackung und die schöne mitgelieferte
Transporttasche machte schon einen ersten guten Eindruck !
Das Zusammenlöten ist "Idiotensicher". Super Anleitung und dazu gibts
noch nen Buntbild, wo man nochmal genau nachschauen kann ob alles seinen
Platz richtig gefunden hat
Jetzt warte ich nur noch brennend auf die "Pro" Software..die Demo macht
Appetit
Ich werde mir erstmal ein Gehäuse dafür bauen.......macht weiter so - TOP !
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