Jap, Aisian scan tool

dieselbug

Just wondering what are your opinions are on aftermarket scan tools for Jap, Aisian cars.

Opinions, experience, on what you think is a good all round one.
I know there are plenty of them out there and no one will do all. But what would any of you recommend as your first choice.

Tia

Supertoucher

Probably easiest to state what car you have.

I assume that from scan tool you mean an OBD fault scanner that is perhaps vehicle specific with some more features?

If so, I have Evoscan and cable. Mainly usuable with Mitsubishi's and Subarus

visual

Get your self a elm327 bluetooth and use your smart phone

Read most cars for about 20 euro on ebay including posting and android app toqure pro for 5 euro its cheap and does much more than many more expensive readers

dieselbug

Thanks for your replies.

I'm looking for opinions on a scan tool to cover all makes Jap and Aisian. I have Autoboss V30 and Multi Diag Wi,(same software as carman wi afaik) both out of date and reluctant to spend on updating. Is there a better one for this type of coverage? What are you using?

barryfitz

I bought the ElM327 bluetooth obd reader and torque app specifically for a MIL light thats coming on in my car (2002 Suzuki Ignis - jap import, its actually called a swift over there). However torque isnt able to communicate with the ECU. I have used the same adapter on 3-4 cars so I can conform there is nothing wrong with the adapter. Is there some different ECU protocol used on jap imports does anyone know?

crosshair1

I have a carman lite which is only ok on jap even though its promoted as a jap tool.
Launch is a long way ahead of it in terms of coverage.

Toyotafanboi

barryfitz wrote: »

I bought the ElM327 bluetooth obd reader and torque app specifically for a MIL light thats coming on in my car (2002 Suzuki Ignis - jap import, its actually called a swift over there). However torque isnt able to communicate with the ECU. I have used the same adapter on 3-4 cars so I can conform there is nothing wrong with the adapter. Is there some different ECU protocol used on jap imports does anyone know?

yes, afaik it was only standardised for vehicles originally sold in european market, so a japanese import wouldnt be compatable.

dieselbug

crosshair1 wrote: »

I have a carman lite which is only ok on jap even though its promoted as a jap tool.
Launch is a long way ahead of it in terms of coverage.

I dont think there's a huge difference between Autoboss and Launch. The Launch probably shading it.

I have a Multi Diag Wi same software as Carman lite, but about 3 years out of date. A former workmate with a lot of Toyota experience has one that's fully updated, so it would be better to have a choice between us.

I'v come across one sold by Blueprint called G-Scan. It's supposedly the biggest selling scanner in Japan since 2009. More expensive though.

Nissan doctor

Most reports I've heard and read say that the Autel Maxidas is better again then the Launch.

dieselbug

I'v been researching this for a while.. So far nothing really stands out, except maybe the G Scan. Carman, Multiscan, Launch, seem to be most used but lots of complaints.
The Maxidas seems to be a popular all rounder and good value for money but I saw an example from one owner who had it on a healthly Renualt diesel. It showed idle speed @ 197rpm and fuel pressure @ 39bar, he said this kind of data was common.

I find the Autoboss is ok for Jap, Aisian, surprising sometimes and wont be buying anything unless I'm sure I'm not going from the frying pan to the fire.
Delphi ds, Opus, WOW, and Autocom are all running the same software and probably one of the best all rounders but I think Jap is a bit weak, could be wrong on that.

I'm Going to find out what I can on this G Scan, sounds impressive, but dont they all pricey too. Here's a link.

http://www.blueprint-adl.com/gscan/

Mar4ix

if you looking in to that price range, would nt you have a look on bosch kts series diagnostic tools ? there is number of them, depend how much money you have. one my friend , back home, have one 3 rd series, there is no cars , which he couldnt do. , booked out for weeks.

ebay price range linky

Nissan doctor

If you are looking right up into the premium scan tool price range then the Hella-Guttmen tool is supposed to be excellent. But again, its a European based tool so I suspect, although I''ve never tried it, that the G-scan might be a better option as it seems to be JDM based with with just the most popular Euro functions, as opposed to the other way around with most other tools.

dieselbug

Thanks for the replies.

The Hella Guttman looks like a good tool, also Texa and Kts, but I dont think Asian would be their strengths. Maxidas is a good all rounder. There's one called Autosnap, good value seems to be similar to launch, Autoboss.

Looks like G-Scan is the best option. Could not find any bad feedback on it. Any opinions I came across from from those that are using it for some time are very happy with it. Strong on all the popular makes. Very strong on Kia and Hyundai, it's the same tool as these manufacturers use but without the programming.
Going to have to sell first before I buy though.

Also I was offered 6 months interest free credit on it which makes a difference.

Thanks again.

dieseljohnny

Are ye sure the carmanscan wi has the same software as the other tools??

I used have a carmanscan lite and it was the best tool I had for Japanese cars and I assumed the pc version would have the same coverage.

I have a Actia multidiag but its out of date so cant really comment on its current coverage of Jap cars but from using it its not great.

My Snap on Modis has the latest update and and is useless on Jap cars, engine,abs airbag and transmission.
Will only give fault codes most of the time,bit of live Data if your lucky.

Have used Launch x431 and just hated it.....

Im currently eyeing up the carmanscan wi,g scan and autel ds708 for better jap coverage and the g scan seems to be the best
all round but the autel might be handy have as its reasonably priced.

Must try and demo a g scan

dieselbug

Hi

The Mutli diag Wi runs carman software, about 3 years out of date, maybe more. I an enquiry with Actia about updating but they no longer support it, so it is now more or less worthless. They now have a different tool which I suspect is more aimed at all makes.

I looked into the Multiscan and Carmanscan but The opinion I got is that it was once brilliant but it's had it's day and lots of users will no longer update due to being let down with it too many times. Problem is, there does not seem to be much alternative to these.

dieseljohnny

Im considering one of these aswel
http://www.abritus72.com/avdi.html

And it has the added bonus of J2534

dieselbug

"Im considering one of these aswel
http://www.abritus72.com/avdi.html

And it has the added bonus of J2534"



Looks impressive alright. Probably more suited if you are looking to specialize in some particular makes . I'm not looking to do reflashing or pin extraction for keys etc.

I'm just looking for a scanner that gives good accurate data you can rely on with decent Asian, Jap coverage for every day use. The G-scan seems to be decent enough on this as far as I can see. It's bad enough when a tool fails to connect to a car but what really p****s me is when it tells lies and leads you up the garden path.