For many car owners, service stations represent a significant part of the cost, which is affordable. Fortunately, some services are optional. Having bought a diagnostic scanner for a car, you can independently perform surface diagnostics. In addition, with a set of experience, even a novice car enthusiast will be able to diagnose a car, which subsequently will save money.
First you need to learn the basics of diagnosis using a laptop and a special diagnostic scanner for a car. In this case, we need some simple and cheap, and most importantly, universal scanner.
A bit of history
It is a mistake to think that automotive diagnostic scanners for cars are something new and modern. Auto Diagnostics has a 37-year history.
Back in 1980, General Motors created the production technology for the ALDL diagnostic interface, which made it possible to track all vehicle systems. And in 1990, the United States created the OBD diagnostic protocol, which is still used today. Six years later, this protocol was improved, and now its more advanced version of OBD-2 is required for cars in Canada and the United States. Therefore, you can scan these cars using the diagnostic scanner for OBD 2 cars.
There are also European versions of this protocol (EOBD) and even Japanese (JOBD), and they are mandatory for cars in the EU and Japan, respectively.
This suggests that the vast majority of even old cars, which are now about 20 years old, are adapted to diagnostics.
Control block
Modern machines have built-in brains that integrate system control modules and diagnostic sensors. Thanks to them, you can monitor the current state of transport, make predictions for the future about the performance of a particular system, as well as adjust parameters and troubleshoot problems. All this is called an ECU, but it is customary to say "brains" among the people. But for diagnostics and troubleshooting it is necessary to have a special diagnostic interface.
What is an autoscanner?
Autoscanner is not an isolated device. It combines a processor for processing received data, a controller, as well as software and means of connection. Schematic diagram of the diagnostic scanner for cars is as follows:
- The car ECU must have an output connector to which a diagnostic scanner is connected. The task of this scanner is to convert the data stream from the ECU controller and display them on the screen in a readable form.
- Data processor Typically, these are the processors of a laptop, tablet, smartphone, as well as professional diagnostic scanners. For these devices (regardless of their software) there are special programs for diagnostics.
- Means of connection. Previously, the most common tool was a data cable with adapters. However, diagnostic bluetooth scanners for cars or models with data transfer via Wi-Fi protocol are popular today.
This is just superficial information about the principles of car diagnostics. Now let's talk about this in more detail.
Opportunities
The most obvious and main function of computer diagnostics is to conduct an inspection of all vehicle systems and display processed information in the form of error codes, graphs. All this allows you to understand the breakdowns, prevent them and eliminate them.
Even with a minimum level of diagnostic experience, the user is able to:
- Check the quality of maintenance of his car.
- More accurately plan work for future maintenance, which ultimately will save.
- Accurately assess the condition of the car upon purchase.
- Independently find out what the system "swears" when the Check engine light comes on.
Any universal diagnostic scanner for a car is able to provide such capabilities. But for this, at a minimum, the driver must be able to work with a computer, tablet and special diagnostic software. Also, you need at least basic knowledge about the electrical systems of the car and the ability to work with error databases, online catalogs. Extremely desirable experience in car forums, because some errors may be incomprehensible.
Even if you have small values, you can still get a lot of understandable and valuable information from graphical indicators in the diagnostic program.
Scan Using a Diagnostic Scanner for a Car
We will do the diagnosis with our own hands. What will we need?
- Computer, tablet, smartphone or laptop. Any of these gadgets will do. The main thing is that it has an external or built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module.
- Special adapter (scanner). A diagnostic scanner for auto OBD 2 ELM327 USB is suitable . This is one of the simple devices, but to use it you will need a laptop or tablet with a USB interface. The phones do not have a USB interface.
- Diagnostic programs. There are many of them, and the choice depends on the personal preferences of the user. In any case, you need to try different options and ultimately choose the one you like.
- Base for decoding errors.
- Data cable. With its help, the scanner is connected to the computer. Its use is relevant if there is no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Laptop or smartphone for diagnostics?
For quick diagnostics and instant determination of a fault code, it is most convenient to use a smartphone. However, only with the help of a laptop can you fully master the skills of automotive diagnostics at a more or less serious level with the ability to further install professional diagnostic software.
There are no requirements for the laptop used. All models have a standard COM port, as well as a wireless interface (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). Of course, you can use a stationary computer, but it is a laptop that will allow you to do this literally on the go, and it is more convenient compared to a stationary computer.
If there are no interfaces (including a COM port), you can connect the scanner through adapters or external wireless modules. An ideal option would be a Bluetooth adapter, but you cannot choose cheap models, because they often do not see paired devices.
Scanner
It is presented in the form of a small device. This adapter includes a chip circuit and data transfer blocks, connector blocks, and a control panel. It adapts the streams from the car computer and displays them on the laptop display.
Adapters are universal or specialized for specific car brands. The latter are most often professional or semi-professional. For example, there is such a scanner called "Vasya-Diagnost", which works only with machines of the VAG group.
But we are interested in universal diagnostic scanners for cars, capable of working with different brands of cars. One of the popular models is the ELM327. It is adapted for modern cars under the age of 20 years and costs around $ 30.
The software comes with the adapter. The scanning process itself is extremely simple: plug the plug into the OBD connector, launch the application on a computer, phone or tablet and then select the option you need. Here is a short list of what you can do in the application after installing the adapter:
- View on the screen the parameters of the machine systems.
- Read fault codes and decode them.
- Erase errors after eliminating the cause.
- Display reports and service and fault logs.
Diagnosis process
This initial diagnostic information is sufficient. Now let's figure out how to implement the procedure itself.
So, take a laptop and turn it on, find the diagnostic connector in the car. It can be in different places, and its specific location depends on the make and model of the car. It can be under the hood, under the dashboard, under the cover, which is located next to the gearbox, etc. The instructions for the car must indicate this. Insert the scanner, turn it on, connect to it from the laptop. Usually, after this, the indicator lights up, indicating the readiness for work.
Now open the diagnostic program. If everything is done correctly, the program will show that it “sees” the car. At this stage, you can choose what exactly you want to know about your car. The simplest function is to scan the machine for errors and decrypt them. However, for a more detailed analysis of the car, the program needs to be studied deeply. But to do this the first time is difficult.
The verification itself on key key parameters will not cause difficulties, and already this will eliminate the need for a trip to the service station just to find out why the “check” caught fire.
Advice
If you plan to connect the scanner via a data cable, then choose a short cable length. If the length is more than 5 meters, the laptop will not see the scanner. Carrying out diagnostics, connect the scanner and adjust the parameters with the ignition off. You can turn on the ignition only after entering the settings. Otherwise, there is little risk of harming the brains of the car. And finally: be sure to read the instructions. Many questions will disappear by themselves when reading.
Conclusion
The era of a conventional motor vehicle is close to sunset as never before. Today, even old machines that are completely rusted and ready for disposal can be scanned for errors. Many service stations do not take to repair cars without an on-board computer, because it is extremely difficult to repair them without diagnostics.
A modern universal diagnostic scanner for a car, reviews about which users leave only good ones, will cost you about 25-30 dollars. However, given the large number of fakes on the market and frank "junk", you should read reviews about the model that you are going to choose.