Universal diagnostic scanner for cars. We test the car with our own hands with a diagnostic scanner for cars

For many car owners, STO services represent a significant part of the costs that it can afford. Fortunately, some services can not be accessed. By purchasing a diagnostic scanner for auto, you can independently perform surface diagnostics. In addition, with a set of experience, even a novice car enthusiast will be able to diagnose cars, which will subsequently save money.

First, you need to learn the basics of diagnostics using a laptop and a special diagnostic scanner for the car. In this case, we need some simple and cheap, and most importantly a universal scanner.

A bit of history

It is a mistake to think that automobile diagnostic scanners for cars are something new and modern. Diagnosis of the car has a 37-year history.

Back in 1980, General Motors created the ALDL diagnostic interface manufacturing technology, which allowed tracking all vehicle systems. And in 1990, the US created a diagnostic protocol OBD, which is still in use. Six years later, this protocol was improved, and now its more advanced version of OBD-2 is mandatory for cars in Canada and the US. Therefore, you can scan these cars with a diagnostic scanner for auto OBD 2.

There are also European versions of this protocol (EOBD) and even Japanese ones (JOBD), and they are mandatory for cars in the EU and Japan, respectively.

This suggests that the vast majority of even old cars, now about 20 years old, are adapted to diagnostics.

Control block

Modern machines have built-in "brains" that integrate system management modules and diagnostic sensors. Thanks to them, you can monitor the current state of the transport, make predictions for the future of the performance of a particular system, and adjust the parameters, troubleshoot. All this is called the ECU, but people say "brains". But for diagnostics and troubleshooting it is necessary to have a special diagnostic interface.

What is an auto scanner?

Autoscanner is not a single device. It combines a processor for processing the data received, a controller, as well as software and connectivity. Schematic diagram of the diagnostic scanner for the car is as follows:

1. The computer's ECU must have an output connector to which the diagnostic scanner is connected. The task of this scanner is to convert the data stream from the computer's controller and display them in a human readable form.
2. Processor of data processing. Usually they are processors of a laptop, tablet, smartphone, as well as professional scanners-diagnosticians. Under these devices (regardless of their software) there are special programs for diagnosis.
3. Means of connection. Previously, the most common tool was a data cable with adapters. However, today popular diagnostic bluetooth scanners for cars or models with data transfer over the Wi-Fi protocol.

This is just a superficial information on the principles of car diagnostics. Now let's talk about this in more detail.

Capabilities

The most obvious and main function of computer diagnostics is the inspection of all car systems and the output of processed information on the screen in the form of error codes, graphs. All this allows us to understand the breakdowns, prevent them and eliminate them.

Even with a minimum level of experience, the user has the opportunity to:

1. Check the quality of maintenance of his car.
2. More accurately plan work for future maintenance, which ultimately will save you money.
3. Accurately assess the condition of the car when buying.
4. Independently to learn, on what "swears" the system at ignition of a bulb Check engine.

Any universal diagnostic scanner for cars is able to provide such opportunities. But for this, at a minimum, the driver should be able to work with a computer, a tablet and a special software for diagnosis. We also need at least a basic knowledge of the electrical systems of the car and the ability to work with error databases, Internet directories. It is highly desirable experience of communication in car forums, because some errors may be incomprehensible.

Even if you have small values, you can still get a lot of understandable and valuable information from the graphical indicators in the diagnostic program.

Scanning with a diagnostic scanner for auto

We will carry out diagnostics with our own hands. What do we need?

1. Computer, tablet, smartphone or laptop. Any of these gadgets will do. The main thing is that it has an external or built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module.
2. Special adapter (scanner). Suitable diagnostic scanner for auto OBD 2 ELM327 USB. This is one of the simplest devices, but to use it you will need a laptop or a tablet with USB-interface. The phones do not have a USB interface.
3. Programs for diagnostics. There are many, and the choice depends on the personal preferences of the user. In any case, you need to try different options and eventually choose one you like.
4. Bases for decoding errors.
5. Data cable. With it, the scanner is connected to the computer. Its application is relevant in the event that there is no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Laptop or smartphone for diagnosis?

It is most convenient to use a smartphone for quick diagnosis and instant detection of the DTC. However, only with the help of a laptop you can fully master the skills of automotive diagnostics at a more or less serious level with the ability to later install professional software for diagnosis.

There are no requirements for the laptop used. Standard COM-port is available for all models, as well as a wireless interface (Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). Of course, you can use a stationary computer, but it's the laptop that will make it literally on the move, and it is more convenient than a desktop computer.

In the absence of interfaces (including the COM-port), you can connect the scanner through adapters or external wireless modules. Ideal option will be the Bluetooth-adapter, but you can not choose cheap models, because they often do not see the interfaced devices.

Scanner

It is presented in the form of a small device. This adapter includes a chip circuit and data transfer units, connector blocks and a control panel. It adapts the streams from the computer to the car and displays them on the laptop display.

Adapters are universal or specialized for specific car brands. The latter are most often professional or semi-professional. For example, there is such a scanner with the name "Vasya-Diagnostnost", which works only with machines of the VAG group.

But we are interested in universal diagnostic scanners for cars, capable of working with different brands of cars. One of the popular models is ELM327. It is adapted for modern cars up to 20 years old and costs around 30 dollars.

The software is shipped with the adapter. The very process of scanning is extremely simple: plug the plug into the OBD connector, run the application on a computer, phone or tablet and then select the desired option. Here is a short list of what you can do in the application after installing the adapter:

1. See on the screen the parameters of the operation of the machine's systems.
2. Read the fault codes and decode them.
3. Erase errors after eliminating the cause.
4. Display reports and logs for maintenance and faults.

Diagnosis process

This initial information on diagnosis is sufficient. Now let's figure out how to implement the procedure itself.

So, take the laptop and turn it on, find the diagnostic connector in the car. It can be in different places, and its specific location depends on the make and model of the car. It can be under the hood, under the dashboard, under the lid, which is next to the gearbox, etc. The instructions to the car are always indicated. Insert the scanner, turn it on, connect to it from the laptop. Usually after this, the indicator lights, indicating and ready to work.

Now open the diagnostic program. If everything is done correctly, the program will show that it "sees" the car. At this stage, you can choose what specifically want to know about your car. The simplest function is to scan the machine for errors and decrypt them. However, for a more detailed analysis of the car, the program must be studied deeply. But it's difficult to do this from the first.

The very same check on key key parameters will not cause difficulties, and this will already eliminate the need for a trip to the SRT only in order to find out why the "check" caught fire.

Advice

If you plan to connect the scanner via the data cable, then select a small cable length. If the length is more than 5 meters, the laptop will not see the scanner. Carry out the diagnostics, connect the scanner and adjust the parameters with the ignition off. The ignition can only be switched on after the settings have been entered. Otherwise, there is little risk of damaging the "brains" of the car. Well, at last: be sure to read the instructions. Many questions will disappear by themselves when reading.

Conclusion

The era of an ordinary motor vehicle is close to sunset as never before. Today even old machines that are completely rusted and prepared for disposal can be scanned for errors. Many maintenance stations do not take in repair of the car without the onboard computer, after all to repair them it is extremely difficult without diagnostics.

A modern universal diagnostic scanner for cars, reviews about which users leave only good, will cost you about 25-30 dollars. However, given the large number of fakes on the market and frank "junk", you should read reviews about the model that you are going to choose.