Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Got an iPhone...need a scan tool?
| Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108648] |
Wed, 15 December 2010 20:44  |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Just FYI
I found this looking through the October 2010 issue of Popular Mechanics.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/car-gadgets-gifts#fbIndex7
I could not find the actual article on the Popular Mechanics web site that brought me to this, so I retyped the article for ya’all. Is this cool or what??
Tool of the month
Scan This
Sooner or later everyone who owns a car has it happen: The dreaded Check Engine light comes on. Noncognoscenti know only that they’ll need to take the car to a repair shop, maybe even to the dealer, to scan the computer for trouble codes. There are afforable code scanners and full-out scan tools around--but if you’ve got an iPhone, iPad or even an iPod touch, there’s a simpler, inexpensive solution. First download the free golink iPhone app, then buy the companies $99 cable an plug it into your car’s OBDII port, which is usually under the dash. Once it is hooked up, you can check the trouble codes, browse through a bunch of engine parameters while some faithful minion drives you around and turns off that pesky light. Use it to diagnose and fix something as simple as a loose gas cap and you can recoup the cost of the cable by eliminating just one service call. But wait, there’s more! The cable also works with CARbonga (speedemissions; $4.99 in the App store) which checks all the car’s safety systems and lets you monitor fuel mileage and carbon footprint as you drive. Want more? Download DashCommand (Palmer Engineering: $49 in the App Store), which give you a set of virtual gauges, displays rpm, hp and torque and uses the iPhone’s accelerometer to provide a graphic representation of your acceleration, braking and cornering while in hot-lapping a a race track. GoLink has just replaced the 10 grand or so of scan tools--and all the equipmetn I lug around to test cars-- with and iPhone and a cable. I hate it. I love it!
In the same issue of Popular Mechanics on the same page is an interesting article about ZDDP.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108654 is a reply to message #108648] |
Wed, 15 December 2010 21:31  |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Larry - I just ran out to the barn (froze my butt off). I was looking under the dash of the GMC and can't seem to find this OBDII port. What does it look like and exactly where is it located? <grin>
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108664 is a reply to message #108648] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 02:42 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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On the 73-78 TZE the port is located all the way in the back. It has a round protective dust cap on it. Connect there and then pull the T handle to spit out all the stored data.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108665 is a reply to message #108648] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 02:20 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Larry,
THANKS!
I'm going to buy the cable, I have a Mazda Tribute here in Australia and on
the occasions I have had problems it has cost me a LOT more than $99 to have
the dealer connect a computer to it to read the codes!
Hmmm, I wonder how much Helen will charge me to use her iPad? ;-)
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Larry
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 1:44 PM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool?
Just FYI
I found this looking through the October 2010 issue of Popular Mechanics.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/car-gadgets-gifts#fbInd
ex7
I could not find the actual article on the Popular Mechanics web site that
brought me to this, so I retyped the article for ya’all. Is this cool
or what??
Tool of the month
Scan This
Sooner or later everyone who owns a car has it happen: The dreaded Check
Engine light comes on. Noncognoscenti know only that they’ll need to
take the car to a repair shop, maybe even to the dealer, to scan the
computer for trouble codes. There are afforable code scanners and full-out
scan tools around--but if you’ve got an iPhone, iPad or even an iPod
touch, there’s a simpler, inexpensive solution. First download the
free golink iPhone app, then buy the companies $99 cable an plug it into
your car’s OBDII port, which is usually under the dash. Once it is
hooked up, you can check the trouble codes, browse through a bunch of engine
parameters while some faithful minion drives you around and turns off that
pesky light. Use it to diagnose and fix something as simple as a loose gas
cap and you can recoup the cost of the cable by eliminating just one service
call. But wait, there’s more! The cable also works with CARbonga
(speedemissions; $4.9
9 in the App store) which checks all the car’s safety systems and
lets you monitor fuel mileage and carbon footprint as you drive. Want more?
Download DashCommand (Palmer Engineering: $49 in the App Store), which give
you a set of virtual gauges, displays rpm, hp and torque and uses the
iPhone’s accelerometer to provide a graphic representation of your
acceleration, braking and cornering while in hot-lapping a a race track.
GoLink has just replaced the 10 grand or so of scan tools--and all the
equipmetn I lug around to test cars-- with and iPhone and a cable. I hate
it. I love it!
In the same issue of Popular Mechanics on the same page is an interesting
article about ZDDP.
--
Larry :)
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108666 is a reply to message #108665] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 06:27 |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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keep us in touch
is a bit pricey,
and I need it for a 93 which is not OBDII
gene
On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 12:20 AM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au>wrote:
> Larry,
>
> THANKS!
>
> I'm going to buy the cable, I have a Mazda Tribute here in Australia and on
> the occasions I have had problems it has cost me a LOT more than $99 to
> have
> the dealer connect a computer to it to read the codes!
>
> Hmmm, I wonder how much Helen will charge me to use her iPad? ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Larry
> Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 1:44 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool?
>
> Just FYI
>
> I found this looking through the October 2010 issue of Popular Mechanics.
>
>
> http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/car-gadgets-gifts#fbInd
> ex7<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/products/car-gadgets-gifts#fbInd%0Aex7>
>
> I could not find the actual article on the Popular Mechanics web site that
> brought me to this, so I retyped the article for ya’all. Is this
> cool
> or what??
>
> Tool of the month
> Scan This
> Sooner or later everyone who owns a car has it happen: The dreaded Check
> Engine light comes on. Noncognoscenti know only that they’ll need to
> take the car to a repair shop, maybe even to the dealer, to scan the
> computer for trouble codes. There are afforable code scanners and full-out
> scan tools around--but if you’ve got an iPhone, iPad or even an iPod
> touch, there’s a simpler, inexpensive solution. First download the
> free golink iPhone app, then buy the companies $99 cable an plug it into
> your car’s OBDII port, which is usually under the dash. Once it is
> hooked up, you can check the trouble codes, browse through a bunch of
> engine
> parameters while some faithful minion drives you around and turns off that
> pesky light. Use it to diagnose and fix something as simple as a loose gas
> cap and you can recoup the cost of the cable by eliminating just one
> service
> call. But wait, there’s more! The cable also works with CARbonga
> (speedemissions; $4.9
> 9 in the App store) which checks all the car’s safety systems and
> lets you monitor fuel mileage and carbon footprint as you drive. Want
> more?
> Download DashCommand (Palmer Engineering: $49 in the App Store), which give
> you a set of virtual gauges, displays rpm, hp and torque and uses the
> iPhone’s accelerometer to provide a graphic representation of your
> acceleration, braking and cornering while in hot-lapping a a race track.
> GoLink has just replaced the 10 grand or so of scan tools--and all the
> equipmetn I lug around to test cars-- with and iPhone and a cable. I hate
> it. I love it!
>
>
> In the same issue of Popular Mechanics on the same page is an interesting
> article about ZDDP.
>
> --
> Larry :)
> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> Menomonie, WI.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108667 is a reply to message #108665] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 06:33 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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You DO know that the eventual total cost of using HER iPad will be far
higher than the dealer charge?
Ken H.
PS: Check to be sure it will work with the Mazda; the OBDII standard
isn't always, 'specially with them furriners. KH
On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 3:20 AM, Rob Mueller <robmueller@iinet.net.au> wrote:
> Larry,
>
> THANKS!
>
> I'm going to buy the cable, I have a Mazda Tribute here in Australia and on
> the occasions I have had problems it has cost me a LOT more than $99 to have
> the dealer connect a computer to it to read the codes!
>
> Hmmm, I wonder how much Helen will charge me to use her iPad? ;-)
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108680 is a reply to message #108648] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 10:24 |
Firefly
Messages: 98
Registered: May 2008
Location: Augusta, Maine
Karma: 0
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Member |
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My local GMC dealer in Augusta, ME (O'Connor) wanted to charge me $99 just to hook up their computer to my OBDII; this after I had already told them what the free diagnostic said at the Auto Zone (EVAP System Issues) and that I just wanted them to install the fuel tank vent control solenoid. No way were they going to do anything without that OBDII diagnostic.
I told him that I pay OnStar almost $20 per month to diagnose this crap and damned if I was going to get ripped off for something I had proven was unnecessary -- especially since I just paid them $145 for the new solenoid.
I ended up going to a neighborhood garage who charged me less than $50 to install the solenoid, reset the warning message, change my oil & air filters & my winter Mobil I refill. They even checked out a few other PITA issues.
My point is that less is more if you have the average knowledge of a GMC owner. A simple (common-sense) shade-tree mechanic will usually represent the best value, even if you are dealing with 'modern' vehicles.
Now, if we can find a cheaper OBDII connection cable, we'll be set. The best configuration might be an OBDII-to-USB that (with a connector) could be used with any iPod/iPhone cable.
Perhaps some of the 'car tuner' computer manufacturers offer a cheaper alternative for replacement cables? I did see a cheap (less than $65) code reader at the local Auto Zone a few days ago - meaning you can get the cable AND the computer for less than the original $99 estimate.
Mark Scoble, Lunenburg, MA - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and in residence at the GMC Co-Op in Orlando, FL
[Updated on: Thu, 16 December 2010 10:55] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108682 is a reply to message #108680] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 10:49 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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On Dec 16, 2010, at 9:24 AM, Mark Scoble wrote:
>
>
> My local GMC dealer in Augusta, ME (O'Connor) wanted to charge me $99 just to hook up their computer to my OBDII; this after I had already told them what the free diagnostic said at the Auto Zone (EVAP System Issues) and that I just wanted them to install the fuel tank vent control solenoid. No way were they going to do anything without that OBDII diagnostic.
>
> I told him that I pay OnStar almost $20 per month to diagnose this crap and damned if I was going to get ripped off for something I had proven was unnecessary -- especially since I just paid them $145 for the new solenoid.
>
> I ended up going to a neighborhood garage who charged me less than $50 to install the solenoid, reset the warning message, change my oil & air filters & my winter Mobil I refill. They even checked out a few other PITA issues.
>
> My point is that less is more if you have the average knowledge of a GMC owner. A simple (common-sense) shade-tree mechanic will usually represent the best value, even if you are dealing with 'modern' vehicles.
>
> Now, if we can find a cheaper OBDII connection cable, we'll be set. The best configuration might be an OBDII-to-USB that (with a connector) could be used with any iPod/iPhone cable.
>
> Perhaps some of the 'car tuner' computer manufacturers offer a cheaper alternative for replacement cables?
>
>
> --
> Mark Scoble, Augusta, Maine - 1973 23' Palm Beach Stretched to 32' and undergoing complete renovation at the GMC Co-Op
>
For $29.99 with free shipping from Amazon you can get an OBDII scanner that will work very well for the home mechanic.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=obd+scanner&x=0&y=0
I bought a similar one a few years back. it will work with 1996 or newer vehicles. I have used it several times on my 1996 Geo Tracker and other vehicles.
I have an iphone but I will use that for phone calls, email and internet scanning and tethering my computer to the internet when i travel.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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| Re: Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108685 is a reply to message #108680] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 11:13 |
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mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
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| Firefly wrote on Thu, 16 December 2010 08:24 |
...
Now, if we can find a cheaper OBDII connection cable, we'll be set. The best configuration might be an OBDII-to-USB that (with a connector) could be used with any iPod/iPhone cable.
Perhaps some of the 'car tuner' computer manufacturers offer a cheaper alternative for replacement cables? ...
|
I have a VAG-Com (HEX-USB+CAN Interface for VW and Audi's) they say it'll do OBD2 but I haven't tried it. It is a very good thing to have if you have a Volkswagen Auto Group (VAG) car. Only thing, it costs a BIT more than $90. 
For OBD2, I asked google and found:
<http://www.amazon.com/Crescent-OBD2-Multi-Protocol-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B001MT0XPK>
Inexpensive OBD interfaces are out there. let us know what you find. 
For GMC content, does any of the fuel injection systems have computers that "talk" OBD2?
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
[Updated on: Thu, 16 December 2010 11:19] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108688 is a reply to message #108664] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 11:39 |
LYNN L
Messages: 140
Registered: March 2005
Location: Pearland TX.
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Couldn't understand this OBD port stuff until John cleared it up for me. OBD= Outside bathroom discharge port. It't still a little fuzzy though on where all the data comes from.
Lynn L
76 Eleganza Cad.500
Pearland TX.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108697 is a reply to message #108682] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 14:12 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Emery,
Thanks!
Looks like I WON'T be buying the cable! Not when I can get something that
does the same thing for $70 less.
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Emery Stora
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 3:50 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool?
For $29.99 with free shipping from Amazon you can get an OBDII scanner that
will work very well for the home mechanic.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords
=obd+scanner&x=0&y=0
I bought a similar one a few years back. it will work with 1996 or newer
vehicles. I have used it several times on my 1996 Geo Tracker and other
vehicles.
I have an iphone but I will use that for phone calls, email and internet
scanning and tethering my computer to the internet when i travel.
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Got an iPhone...need a scan tool? [message #108715 is a reply to message #108685] |
Thu, 16 December 2010 19:46 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Dynamic EFI's EBL Flash upgrade to the ECM's used in most of the GMC
EFI's essentially provides OBD. Not to the level of full OBDII, but
it displays ALL of the malfunction codes, plus much more. And makes
it pretty simple to change any EFI control parameter.
Ken H.
On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 12:13 PM, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:
>...
> For GMC content, does any of the fuel injection systems have computers that "talk" OBD2?
> --
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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