|
|
|
| Home --> FAQ ELM327 --> ELM327 Chip
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| May I use the ELM327 in my old interface? |
| | Older interfaces with ELM320, ELM322 or ELM323 chip handles only one protocol. But the new ELM327 supports all protocols and has another layout with more legs. He uses therefore a total different circuit and PCB. | |
|
| May I use further my old software for ELM chips? |
| | Software written for ELM320, ELM322 and ELM323 chips supports ISO-protocols (9141 and 14230) and J1850-protocols (PWM and VPW) for interfaces with these chips. The new ELM327 supports now all protocols but also four CAN protocol variants more and has other new functions. Therefore new software is needed which uses all that features. Meanwhile these software updates are available. | |
|
| I there a DIY kit available? |
| | When the new ELM327 chip comes up we have shipped the first time DIY kits with all needed parts. Meanwhile the production of ready-to-go interfaces is cheaper than soldering together a kit. | |
|
| Why are these ELM chips so successfully? |
| | Conceptionally the ELM chips are not only interpreter chips from car protocols to a common computer protocol but the chips also contains all the protocol overhead of OBD protocols. This way it is very easy to write diagnostic software because the programmer has nothing to do with all that and concentrades on the diagnostic features. Even the hobbyist programmer is able to write a software. Therefore a great pool of software exists for these chips which is the reason for its popularity. Grace to the new ELM327 this happens also with the higher complexity of CAN protocol. Imitations of the ELM327 has never reached his functionality. | |
|
| May I write my own application for the ELM327? |
| | As said above it is as easy as for the ELM320/322/323 chips to write an own application even for the CAN protocol. Thanks to the already programmed functions in the ELM327 the application is free from protocol overhead. Even with use of a simple terminal program you are able to communicate with a car. | |
|
| Is the new ELM327 capable to read older cars without OBD-II? |
| | Although the ELM327 is not designed for older cars without OBD-II the software ScanMasterELM is able to communicate with some of such cars depending of the car manufacturer and model and using the ElmCan interface with ELM327. Actually it reads some older Alfa Romeo, Opel/Vauxhall and Fiat. Furthermore it can be used for the SAE J1939 protocol which is common for trucks. | |
|
| What are ELM compliant chips? |
| | The success of the ELM chips encouraged some people to copy it. Software written for genuine ELM chips often do not work with these plagiats. | |
|
|
|
