Difference between tuning and diagnostic tools

[WMX267]

Can anyone explain to me:

scan tools or diagnostic tools are only used to tell if all of the sensors on a car are working properly right? They also tell you exactly where a sensor problem has occurred (whihc sensor) by giving out trouble codes right? But to be able to make changes on the way the engine is configured (that's called tuning right?), what do you need? do you need a different tool, or just an upgrade or add-on to your scan tool? what are the products available on the market? I drive a 2000 honda civic Vti, but i'd also want one that would be compatible with other vehicles as well. I understand that there are those tools that could be hooked up to a laptop.

Thanks a lot.

[pimprolla112]

Yes they also cost $$$, they usualy make them to work on a family of engines ie: b-series, d-series, h-series, k-series. That laptop ones can be used for a variety of more vehicles but once again it means $$$.

[WMX267]

okay... so you mean certain scanners only service honda's of a specific class and not other makes like toyota's, mitsubishi's, and nissan's? i would think that there a lot of scanners available in the market. would you happen to be able to know about a few that i could choose from? i'm thinking of one's that would be an excellent buy for personal/home use (and a little more), but not really something that's for commercial use already.

thanks a lot.

[pimprolla112]

No diagnostic scanners can read any vehicle (some may ned adapters) of that OBD series so OBDI cars use the same scanner these are cars from pre 96. OBDII cars are 96 and after, these scanners are the ones that look like a tuner with the large screens. These will work on almost any OBDII vehicle but like i said some may require an adapter.

The one my moms boyfreind bought is a snap on OBDII scanner, i have used it on my girlfriends mothers dodge, my girlfriends cavalier, my friends eclipse, and a bunch of other vehicles from around 2000 or so. I know the scanner was around 400. You can get them for any where from $100 and ive seen them up in the couple thousand dollar range. Ive seen them at sears for about 125. The OBDI scanners are like 20 bucks from autozone but these arent as complex you plug it in and watch a light blink, count the blinks long blink is 10 and any short blinks are added on. IE ___ _ _ _ _ would be 14.

Ive seen them on ebay to.


As for the tuner il elaborate a little bit, the ones used on computers can be used on practically any vehicle with the right software upgrades. These are best used in conjunction with someone who knows how to properly tune the ecu, a dyno, or option 1 and a racetrack. Then theres the vehicle specific tuner such as a diablo sport predator, which has preloaded tunes usually 3 different ones to go from mild modifications, to extreme. I know the ones for the f-350 has three steps, its like 60, 90, and 150 + hp and tq. I dont know exact numbers but these are vehicle specific.

[WMX267]

okay... so an OBDII scanner would work with any OBDII ecu, except for the special codes specific to a vehicle which needs specific upgrades.and its function is only to tell you of the condition of your sensors? And the tuning software: [1] requires some knowledge about how to mix and match certain changes i.e. changes to fuel delivery, requires adjustment of ignition timing; [2] but you can reprogram your ecu with the tuning software. as in you could set your ecu to give more fuel, advance the timing, etc.? would the tuning software also be able to diagnose trouble codes and provide the functions of the scanner? or would a mechanic need both? do you know of specific brands i could look up which would be able to function like the one your mom's boyfriend had?

thanks a lot.

[pimprolla112]

NO usually the scanners are pre-programmed with most of the codes that the CEL will bring up. On the snap on one it list the code and the primary problem that causes that code to come up. Most of the time you cant do both with one program as one is made to re-program the ecu, and the other is made to read the codes that throw a CEL. There is a lot of scanners on the market, check reviews on some online to see what ones seem t have great features. All you really need is one that can bring up the code and you can usually reference that code online to see what causes it and what can fix it.