Innova 3160
- Thread starter NJ Diver
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MrMark
Well-known member
research more. I have read that it has very limited live capability. For me anyway, that is the value of a scan tool. Make sure it can do live "enhanced" data. This is different from the ability to read "enhanced" or Manf. specific codes. Codes are simply the P0(generic) or P1(manf specific or "enhanced") Just because your scan tool can read these doesn't mean it can read "enhanced" live data.
Up And Down
Well-known member
That is interesting MrMark. I heard that the 3150 and 3160 were both good DIY units.
I have only run mine in live mode once. There is a lot of data in there! I am not sure about the enhanced live data, but I do know that the live data screen is highly configurable.
That being said, if you are looking for ABS capability, it definitely has that. It doesn't have definitions for all of the codes, but you can go to the Innova website and enter the code and it will give the translation.
It's definitely a great unit for the DIY'er and has quite a bit more info than the cheaper basic units. I paid $194 shipped for mine from Amazon.
If you really need that much more information it's going to cost a lot more and you'll have to move up to one of the Snap On or other high end scan tools.
That being said, if you are looking for ABS capability, it definitely has that. It doesn't have definitions for all of the codes, but you can go to the Innova website and enter the code and it will give the translation.
It's definitely a great unit for the DIY'er and has quite a bit more info than the cheaper basic units. I paid $194 shipped for mine from Amazon.
If you really need that much more information it's going to cost a lot more and you'll have to move up to one of the Snap On or other high end scan tools.
Specs here says it provides enhanced live data
http://www.equus.com/Product/Detail/66353679-55D4-490F-96ED-0582F1452540
Here's the owner's manual.
http://www.equus.com/Content/Support/Manual/3160.pdf
Sorry I can't provide more right off the top of my head, even though I own one. Like I said, I haven't used any of the advanced features yet.
http://www.equus.com/Product/Detail/66353679-55D4-490F-96ED-0582F1452540
Here's the owner's manual.
http://www.equus.com/Content/Support/Manual/3160.pdf
Sorry I can't provide more right off the top of my head, even though I own one. Like I said, I haven't used any of the advanced features yet.
MrMark
Well-known member
See if you can find the owner's manual online and try to figure out what live data it can display. I'm talking about which PID's (parameter ID's) it can display.
MrMark
Well-known member
I took a quick look and I didn't see anything in the instructions about enhanced live data. It talks about generic live data. You have to remember that depending on the year and make and model of your car, you may not have many PID's that are generic. The newer the car the more so-called generic PID's you will be able to display.
Example: I have enhanced Ford and GM on my scan tool and on a 2001 Suburban I can see about 60 PID's. In generic mode maybe 12 PID's. I hate how confusing the manf of these scan tools make this. There is very little solid info on these tools and you almost have to talk to a dealership tech that has used one vs. a real scan tool (like Ford IDS or GM Tech II) to get an idea of how good they are and what they can do.
Even on this site, you will find very little solid info on scan tools. It is somewhat of a black hole.
BTW, I'm not saying it's not a good unit. It may very well be. Just make sure it can do what you want.
Example: I have enhanced Ford and GM on my scan tool and on a 2001 Suburban I can see about 60 PID's. In generic mode maybe 12 PID's. I hate how confusing the manf of these scan tools make this. There is very little solid info on these tools and you almost have to talk to a dealership tech that has used one vs. a real scan tool (like Ford IDS or GM Tech II) to get an idea of how good they are and what they can do.
Even on this site, you will find very little solid info on scan tools. It is somewhat of a black hole.
BTW, I'm not saying it's not a good unit. It may very well be. Just make sure it can do what you want.
dragonle87
Well-known member
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- Sep 10, 2010
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MrMark
Well-known member
I don't think enhanced equals Mode 6. Enhanced is just additional manf. specific or manf defined PID's that are not OBDII generic PID's. The whole thing is totally and unnecessarily confusing. What makes it even more confusing is that what used to be manf specific or enhanced PID's are moving to OBDII generic in late model cars. THeoretically, you should be able to read a lot more PID's under the "generic" umbrella on a late model car.
Heavy Metal Doctor
Well-known member
I had one I got used for cheap. Never had the chance to use it to do anything more than just pull codes. The screen went bad and you could only read half of it -- but it was used so who knows what might have been done to it......It may have been my fault for not having it stored in a case......
I take it you mean this.
Sounds like they're describing the newer expanded generic PID list in a way that's open to misinterpretation. I doubt it's accidental either
Also checked the manual and it makes no mention of manufacturer PIDs.FWIW the tool probably isn't a bad buy at $200 if you need abs and transmission codes and/or honda and toyota coverage. Depends on what "covers most" means.
Sounds like they're describing the newer expanded generic PID list in a way that's open to misinterpretation. I doubt it's accidental either
Yes, the capabilities of consumer-grade scan tools seem to be stated in a less than specific way. I too suspect that this may not be by accident.
I had similar issues with my previous scan tool, the AutoXray 6000.
MrMark
Well-known member
I have the AutoXray and while their instructions and descriptions are somewhat weak, they are at least upfront about the distinction between enhanced PID's and generic PID's. With AutoXray you can pay a fee to "unlock" the enhanced coverage for the manf that they have licensing agreements with, namely Toyota, Ford, Chrysler and GM. I paid around $70 for enhanced Ford and GM and I can see a lot of PID's that you cannot see in generic mode. Things like AC clutch engaged, canister purge, transmission data and so on.
The abiity of a scanner to display "enhanced" data is not something that comes for free. The scanner manf. has to pay to license this data. Some scanner companies have licensing arrangements set up with the car companies. They may or may not have an agreement with your car manf. You need to investigate all this. This is why I am highly sceptical of any scanner claims to provide across the board manf specific enhanced PID's without upcharges.
From what I've seen you are SOL if you have a Mercedes with these type scanners. You have to use OBDII generic mode which gives you almost nothing on the early 2000 MB.
The abiity of a scanner to display "enhanced" data is not something that comes for free. The scanner manf. has to pay to license this data. Some scanner companies have licensing arrangements set up with the car companies. They may or may not have an agreement with your car manf. You need to investigate all this. This is why I am highly sceptical of any scanner claims to provide across the board manf specific enhanced PID's without upcharges.
From what I've seen you are SOL if you have a Mercedes with these type scanners. You have to use OBDII generic mode which gives you almost nothing on the early 2000 MB.
Like every other corporate interest group does when called upon to engage in any program designed in the interest of overall public benefit, the auto manufacturers were dragged kicking and screaming into the whole OBD realm. Then, they found a way to beat the system by using their own proprietary manufacturer-specific codes which are a way to get around the intent of OBD compliance in the first place.
RightToRepair.org
RightToRepair.org
RAYJAY
Well-known member
I have the 3160 here very good Scan tool does all the chevy stuff i need including ABS.
on our Subaru its ok but there is very little you can do on a Subaru with any of Scan tools
Jeff
It was either the commiefornia or feral gov't that mandated OBD. I forget which. The mandatory portion started out emissions related and still is for the most part.
The manufacturers have chosen to use the OBD connector for other things which isn't "beating the system". They've spent serious coin developing advanced diagnostics for use by themselves and their dealer network. If you think they should give that away free you probably think they should give away all their factory service documentation too.
FWIW I don't know whether MrMark is correct about the aftermarket licensing OEM codes, PIDs and bi-directional commands. The other possibility is the aftermarket guys are buying factory scan tools to "copy". Either way would explain why scan tools with "OEM coverage" are $$$$
Makes sense to me too and MrMark offers a lot of good info to look into on any brand of scanner.. Like I said in the first post, it looks like its a good unit for the home mechanic, and at $200 I wouldn't expect it to do everything the expensive scanners do. It also does ABS which is a nice plus. Just interested in if anyone has seen it for <$200 or have any other first hand likes/dislikes.
Thanks!
Thanks!