2005 Saturn ION OBD2 requirements

Discussion in 'Saturn ION' started by Gary, Jul 22, 2006.

  1. Gary

    Gary Guest

    I would like to buy an OBD2 scanner for my 2005 ION QC 2.2l. There seems to
    be at least four types of OBD2 (ISO 9141, J1850 PWM, J1850 VPW, and CAN).
    Which one do I need. The cheap scanners do not cover all of the protocols
    and I do not want to buy one that does not do what I need.
     
    Gary, Jul 22, 2006
    #1
  2. Gary

    BläBlä Guest


    No idea what your need is. Are you wanting a $2500+ "scantool" that will
    command the computer to do things or are you looking for a 40 dollar
    "code reader"? Any OBDII scanner will "read" any OBD II systems. All
    cars are backwards compatible. Esentially what has changed is the
    throughput, speed, in which the data is accessed for OBD II systems.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II
     
    BläBlä, Jul 23, 2006
    #2
  3. Gary

    SnoMan Guest


    Guess again budrow. The correct answer it that they are migrating to
    CAN protocol (it allows for more custom diagnostics) so get a scanner
    that supports CAN. I have the scanner in the review linked below and
    it has read every vehicle I have plugged it into from 97 up through 06
    CAN protocol models. (gas and diesel)

    http://www.troublecodes.net/articles/injectoclean/injctocln.shtml
     
    SnoMan, Jul 23, 2006
    #3
  4. Gary

    SnoMan Guest

    SnoMan, Jul 23, 2006
    #4
  5. Gary

    mmo Guest

    If you want something you can plug in all the time you might get a Davis
    Car Chip. Work well on my 06 ion. Here is the link

    http://www.davisnet.com/home_flash.asp
     
    mmo, Jul 23, 2006
    #5
  6. Gary

    Gary Guest

    Aside from reading codes, I want to monitor fuel economy in real-time. I
    have seen several free windows and linux OBD II software suites that can run
    on a laptop. You hear so many inflated and bogus statements on fuel economy
    that if you do half of them you would need to start the day removing fuel
    from your tank.
    I have a one-hour commute one way to work, I want to try different things
    to prove or disprove the claims just for my own satisfaction.
    From what I have read so far, the programs are not the compatiblity issue,
    it is the adapter to the computer that makes the difference.
     
    Gary, Jul 23, 2006
    #6
  7. Gary

    SnoMan Guest


    Even if you do not see actual MPG (as mine does not) you can see
    airflow into engine and manifold pressure in real time and the less
    flow the less fuel you are using. Also if you want a real surprize,
    monitor the spark advance (which mine does) running 87 octane and them
    with 93 and watch the difference. lots of times in hot weather you can
    improve economy with better fuel because the ECM has to retard the
    spark a lot with 87 on a hot day and it does this before you hear the
    knock to limit consumer complaints. The problem is though that this
    retarding also hurts power/efficency and MPG. Nice thing about mine is
    that it can be used as a stand alone in text or graphing mode and with
    a laptop or PDA with free software included/availble from manufacture.
     
    SnoMan, Jul 23, 2006
    #7
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