For you technical folks - OBD2 sniffing

[alabbasi]

Anyone tried this? JC220's post got wondering how hard it would be to reverse engineer an older scan tool. Not the super sophisticated ones that are sold today but the tools that were proprietary 20 years ago.

 

[gsxr]

I think you mean OBD-1...?

There's plenty of OBD-2 stuff on the market for cheap. I still recommend shelling out for an SDS if you need OBD-1 diagnostics. Everything else is a compromise with varying limitations.

 

[alabbasi]

I think you mean OBD-1...?

There's plenty of OBD-2 stuff on the market for cheap. I still recommend shelling out for an SDS if you need OBD-1 diagnostics. Everything else is a compromise with varying limitations.

I have a Star C3 but:

1) Sometimes it's too much to carry when you just want to do a quick scan. Something like my AST or Autel are fully portable
2) It does not work on a Rolls Royce which is my main interest. Their scan tool (for the pre BMW/VW cars) is very proprietary

And yes, while some cars still use the OBD2 connector, they're using other pins for system like immobilizer, a/c and transmission circuits and not the regular can

 

[gsxr]

Unfortunately there is NO way to do a "quick scan" on any OBD-1 Mercedes. Using a hand-held blinker box is less to carry, but not quick unless there are zero codes on all modules. For full diagnostics on any 90's-up MB you need SDS, and yes you need it for the early OBD-2 cars that still have the 38-pin diagnostic port.

Can't help with the Rolls though. You mean there isn't an app for that?

 

[Jlaa]

Can't help with the Rolls though. You mean there isn't an app for that?

Usually for Rolls, you can find scan tools listed under “in-house fleet mechanic for hire”.

 

[maw1124]

Usually for Rolls, you can find scan tools listed under “in-house fleet mechanic for hire”.

Right. See if Roger is still working for Wayne Carini, or what Edd China is up to these days. I hear Leno has a guy...ROTFL.

maw

 

[alabbasi]

You mean there isn't an app for that?

Knowing that the smartest asses on the internet live in this forum is why I bought this topic up.

 

[maw1124]

Knowing that the smartest asses on the internet live in this forum is why I bought this topic up.

No, that award goes to…

maw