Swazey

In an ongoing hunt to find out what's wrong with my car I came across this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nissan-OBD-d...ht_3037wt_1344

Is anyone familiar with this and if it's worth it? Anyone use the software before? What can/can't you do with this?

My problem is my car does not start. I figure this might help nail down exactly what's going on with the car or at least help me diagnose the problem specifically.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Thats a universal device and not Nissan specific. Genuine Nissan diagnostic equipment is very expensive. If it wasn't then everyone would have it and the dealers would be out of business. That software is terrible and it says OBD. YOur 96 is OBD2 but it could be a typo. YOu really want a genuine Consult tool like the Consult 3 but you don't need it anyways.

Swazey

Thanks for the reply. Like the post says, I was just curious since i know nothing of the sort. I wonder what software would be best with this device to scan and read real-time info from the ECM.

You are correct, they introduced OBD2 in 1995 I believe.

pflicht

iTrader: (2)

Its nothing more than an OBDII scanner for the PC. I have a $13 OBDII Bluetooth dongle from ebay and use the "Torque" app for android (a whole $5) Makes my phone an $18 OBDII scanner. Can view and clear codes, as well as view and log any and all realtime data the ECU puts out. It is VERY handy. Oh it also "calculates" MPG. How accurate is TBD...but based on fillups, the apps calculations are pretty accurate.

IRBatman

OBD2 was introduced for Maxs in '95, but it wasn't mandated by the feds until '96. So, 96 and up cars are completely compliant with OBD2 and most any scanner should be able to at least read and clear codes. For cars like my '95 though there seems to be a different story. I got that same Bluetooth dongle to connect to the OBD2 port, and I've been trying out the free version of torque, I have a CEL on so I know there is a code, but the reader will not tell me what it is, I can tell it to clear codes and it'll go away but can't read it. Now I'm thinking about getting an actual consult reader with some software for the computer. But, I don't know that anything aftermarket is really going to work good enough to talk to an old Max.

IRBatman

Sorry for the double post, but just wanted to update that getting a serial port Nissan consult worked great. I bought it from Amazon, so here's the links:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

Computers these days don't have serial ports, so needed to get an adapter, too.
Picked up this one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...00_i00_details

Windows 7 found a driver for the serial adapter. Then I downloaded the ECUtalk program:
http://www.ecutalk.com/ecutalk.aspx

I can see any sensor the computer has available plus read the fault codes. Codes take a little interpretation because it just lists them as Code XX and a small explanation. For instance one of the codes I have is: Code 38: Closed Loop-B2. To translate that to decoder language or even service manual language that would be a 0308. Figured out I need a front O2 sensor and I need to clean out the EGR circuit. I like it when the car tells me whats wrong with it.

I<3 A32's

iTrader: (1)

JUST GET THE genesis

speed racer

iTrader: (10)

IRBATMAN, how is the consult after a few months? Does it give you other information about the circuit wires? I got this EVAP code that I just can't figure out what is wrong. It feels like I would need to replace everything and I don't want to do that.

N3SQV

Here is a factory consult

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NISSAN-CONSU...#ht_500wt_1304

Max_Gator

This one?