I’m resurrecting my Palm IIIc to use as an OBDII scan tool. Does anyone use a Palm for scanning the OBDII port? What software should I get? I've been looking at the functionalality of AutoTap, but not sure if it reads Porsche codes.

Thanks in advance, Mike

 

Besides "AutoTap", I found "AutoEnginuity" has PDA OBDII software. They claim to be "HandHeld Computing's 2004 Top Pick".

 

Here is the one that I use and I highly recommend it:

http://www.pocketlogger.com/index.php?pid=obdii

http://www.pocketlogger.com/index.php?pid=plobdii

This will read and clear the CEL codes. It's nice to watch the CEL light disappear from your dash when you clear the error code after reading it.

It will also read a list of parameters that will allow you to log/tune your car:

http://www.pocketlogger.com/index.ph...ams&type=obdii

OBDII Parameters:

Calculated Load
Coolant Temperature
Short Term Fuel Trim Bank X
Long Term Fuel Trim Bank X
Fuel Pressure (Gauge)
Intake Manifold Absolute Pressure
Engine RPM
Vehicle Speed
Ignition Timing Advance
Intake Air Temperature
Air Flow Rate from MAF
Throttle Position
Oxygen Sensor Bank X Sensor Y


If you get a CEL light for an o2 sensor, you can log your problem o2 sensor and see why it is throwing the code. If you are getting knock, you can log the Ignition Timing Advance, Load, and RPM to see if the timing is being pulled at a particular RPM while wide open throttle.

Let me know if you have any questions. This unit will also work on most other vehicles that are 1996 and above. I use it on my Land Rover, my mother's Mercedes, my friend's japanese cars, etc.

A few screenshots:

 

Do any of these work with a Treo 650?

Craig

 

For the pocketlogger:

PalmOne Treo 650 - No Cable Yet

 

Thanks Ruiner... I just ordered it. Looks great.

Mike

 

Ruiner

Can you read boost pressure on the turbo??

 

Negative. I am not aware (currently) of an ODBII scan tool that can. That isn't to say that it can't be done, but ODBII is a fickle creature.

 

No problem. Mike makes a great product. I have been using it since ~2000 or so. It always comes in handy and has some very nice logging capabilities. I was able to get around ~16-17 samples per second if I remember correctly. Someone recently stole my Palm Pilot, so I am in the process of ordering a new one. The software is sitting on my computer awaiting the install.

I am currently looking for a Palm IIIc, myself, actually. I want the color screen. Back to Ebay I go (unless you have a hookup). Let me know when you get it an I can help walk you through setting it up.

As I said earlier, it works on many ODBII cars.

 

Thanks. This looks real good. I have an old Palm 3c that hasn't been used for quite some time. It is compatible and the color screen should be cool. I've downloaded the manual and hope to get through it before the cables arrive. I might take you up on your offer for help if required. Thanks again for the direction.

Mike

 

There is one setting that will allow you to display up to 4 values in "big" font on the screen so that you can drive and easily view the outputs at the same time; VERY helpful. Real time display of engine activity is a life saver if you plan on doing any tuning or if you just want to check the health of your car at WOT.

You will easily be able to tell if your Stage 4 car is behaving under boost and WOT by looking at the timing. You will also be able to log/see the changes in timing when you add race gas. Good luck!

 

Recieved the Scanner cable in the mail today. I've installed the software on my Palm and an going to go try and get thins set up. Sorry, I have no connections for an old IIIc. BTW, it appears to be a monochromatic program anyways (from the first screen).

Thanks again, and I'll get intouch if I have any problems.

Mike

 

Oh really? Well, I might not worry about the IIIc after all if the app only displays in a monochromatic setting.

Good luck with it. I really enjoy mine. It really comes in handy. Let me know how it works out for you.

 

The screen is all black & white.

I was trying to do the bit rate & bit interval setup, but nothing was happening as described in the instructions. No error rate was being reported nor was the data transfer rate.

But I forged ahead anyways with the stock settings and everything seemed to work fine.

Real interesting to datalog the: throttle position, timing & RPM together. Which of the other data logging options work / do you find interesting?

Thanks again for referring me to this product. It's pretty cool!

Mike

[edit] it also picked up the O2 sensor CEL I've had a reoccuring problem with and cleared it. Great info for getting help from the tuner boys.

 

I had no problem with the rate settings. You might have missed a button or something. Don't forget to clear and and then hit the "test" button or whatever it is (I need to look at the setup again).

Watching the CEL light clear has always amused me.

Timing, throttle position, and RPM are huge numbers when running WOT. You should run them together. That will indirectly (possibly) tell you if you are running lean (possibly getting knock due to timing retard). If your timing doesn't advance through the RPM range, then you are probably getting knock. It's an indirect measurement, but it is usually pretty accurate.

Intake temp and air flow rate might also help you as well (especiallyif you switch from the stock air filter).

I also enjoy watching both the long and short term fuel trims in conjunction with the O2 sensor values. You can keep an eye on those values if you believe you are having O2 sensor problems.

Don't forget that you can save the logs and view them (in detail) on your computer with the Java browser; a very nice feature.