Decent scan tool for class 8 trucks?

[chevy_cowboy]

I'm tired of having to take our trucks into the dealer for simple DTC's that we could fix ourselves if we just knew where to start. I'm considering buying a scan tool. Currently all of our trucks are International's with Cummins engines, but a tool that covers other brands would be nice for the future.

Any recommendations? I see OTC has a couple, are they decent quality or should I look elsewhere?


Thanks

 

[diesel research]

nexiq

It gets expensive because the nexiq is only the communication box, it is your responsibility to provide OE software like DDDL or Insite or Roadranger, merritor, wabco, ect ect.

It is ALSO your responsibility to provide either a laptop or a desktop with mobile cart.

I don't think "standalones" (built in screens) like the otc genisys HD are even close to the same league.

 

[kcaz507]

If you stick with Cummins, Insite is good.

https://insite.cummins.com/insite/index.html

 

[tankboy_taylor]

nexiq

It gets expensive because the nexiq is only the communication box, it is your responsibility to provide OE software like DDDL or Insite or Roadranger, merritor, wabco, ect ect.

It is ALSO your responsibility to provide either a laptop or a desktop with mobile cart.

I don't think "standalones" (built in screens) like the otc genisys HD are even close to the same league.

pretty much what I was gonna say nexiq is probally your best bet but still need indvidual software if you got mostly cummins you could also look for a deal on their inline 5 adapter with Insite program but that will limit you to just cummins

 

[Rusty32]

If all you want to do is pull trouble codes and clear them just buy the otc code reader for $400

 

[tcsalvage]

i had a scan tool about ten years ago that scanned larger trucks and heavy equipment. it was made by mpsi but i don't know if it is even still around but it was a great scanner. sold it to a friend that worked on heavy equipment.

 

[jeb1978]

Cummins has a tool called a "Quickcheck" that's a standalone setup. I know it can read faults, trip info, and parameters on Cummins engines, but I've not seen it used on other manufacturer's products. I've seen a few techs that have them and use them to quickly hook up to an engine to see what's going on before tearing into it or hooking up Insite for a more thorough diagnosis.

The website says it works on all public J1939 and J1708 datalinks, so I would expect it could read any public data broadcast on the datalink.

http://quickcheck.cummins.com/

 

[peterbilr98]

nexiq is stand alone you can get programs for most makes i have cat programs you can do codes set peramiters code injectors cylinder cut outs you can do about what ever cat can short of fuel codes i have one for sale if enyone is interested.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

Thanks for all your replies, I'm learning a lot here.

nexiq

It gets expensive because the nexiq is only the communication box, it is your responsibility to provide OE software like DDDL or Insite or Roadranger, merritor, wabco, ect ect.

It is ALSO your responsibility to provide either a laptop or a desktop with mobile cart.

I don't think "standalones" (built in screens) like the otc genisys HD are even close to the same league.

How about the Nexiq pro-link iq, thats stand alone right? Anything the laptop based stuff can do that it cant?

With nexiq can I also change ECM parameters like limited speed and idle shutdown on a cummins engine or do I need Insite for that?


The reason I'm kinda looking for something that will cover other brands is I'm not real sure where we're going with the next batch of trucks, for 35 years our company has been international/cummins customers but now you can't get a cummins engine in navistar trucks... and I haven't heard many good things about the maxxforce engines. We're at least 3 years away from any truck purchases, but I'd like to keep the options open for other brands of trucks or engines.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

oh and approximately what does the Insite software/adaptor cost, they don't seem to want to give that up on the cummins website.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

hmm after doing some searches on nexiq and cummins for a few minutes it seems cummins is the only OEM who doesn't have software for nexiq... so Id be limited to the abilities of the generic heavy duty standard software.

 

[diesel research]

I can't speak for insite. We only used it a handful of times and may not have used the neqiq with it? May have used the dearborn protocol adapter, can't remember.

Yes most of these allow changing parameters. For example some of our trucks require a higher high idle for pto operation, others do not. There are several hp ratings available depending on make/model/ecm calibration. We are also able to set a variety of engine rpm or speed limiters depending on usage, and separate limits for cruise or pedal.

We have a few ISX volvos, older internationals, and t000s, but honestly, they never seem to have any problems to begin with. Maybe some after treatment injector problems, but that's about the extent of that. A large part of the fleet is various detroits. They have plenty enough problems. That is real job security.

 

[transamfan]

saw a snap on flyer that had this in it
http://image.snapon.com/international/pdf/eehd181030s_npa.pdf

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

electronics , making life simple

 

[chadster1]

I have sold one of the Pro Link IQ units to a shop and they are not completely happy with it. NEXIQ offers a custom Laptop loaded with the specific software package that you need for your fleet. Try contacting Nexiq directly for a quote on it. For heavy trucks, this seems to be the way to go.

 

[smalltruck]

We use a nexiq adapter with insite on ISX's running on our laptop. Just remember that there is different levels of OEM software out there. Our level allows us to do everything but change horsepower. The trick seems to be what the dealer will sell you. Also keep in mind if the company is buying new trucks that the diagnosis software needs to be part of the deal.

If the company looks at Volvo they REALLY need to make the software part of that deal. Volvo is getting real hard nosed about letting that stuff out the door. Also know that with the newer trucks ,'08 and up depending on make, you will need the software to program the various control ECM's if you have to replace it.

What has happened is the dealers have told the factories that they want this work coming back to them so they don't want to much of the software available. There are 8 modules for the tech tool software for volvo. They "gave" us 4 of them with a purchase of 500 trucks. That covers most of the engine, not 100% of the engine, limited body, and most of the brakes. So if a body control module fails it has to go to the dealer to be swapped and re-programed. Same with the light control ECM. Sometimes the same problem on the radio as well if it pops a lockout/stolen radio code, but that seems to be a hit or miss thing.

 

[4x4gearhead]

From what ive seen manufacturer scan tools are the best for diesels, at work we use the cummins insight and the cat electronic technician, if you can afford to the insight is what I would go with.

 

[Gear Box]

I would like to revive this thread,with the question is their anything in 2017 that anyone recommends

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

oh and approximately what does the Insite software/adaptor cost, they don't seem to want to give that up on the cummins website.

Just priced it at about $1,800 plus laptop... we got a used one for $400.

 

[NOZZLEMAN]

All of our equipment has Cummins engines... get the insite software & adaptors. You can do things with this that no scan tool can do. IE change top end speeds, RPM etc within parameters.

 

[PACLink]

PACKlink is a tool that plugs into the J1939 port of CLass 5-8 trucks. It reads all published J1939 cab, engine, transmission, and ABS fault codes for Cummins, CAT, Detroit Diesel, and PACCAR MX engines. It displays to your Android mobile device via a free app and Bluetooth. Volvo trucks use a different connector and we are working on a solution for that as well.

Certainly take a look at our website, https://paclink.myshopify.com/ but we are also here to answer questions that repair folks may have, so not only to sell you something.

PACLink is a Triage tool and at around $325 does a lot, but is not intended to replace laptop scan tools a shop would use to program. There are technical reasons why and if you have questions about that let us know. Most drivers would like to "clear codes" and although we have been able to do that and are currently trying to resolve some issue with that feature, J1939 has limitations on types of codes that can be cleared. There are EPA regulated codes that cannot be, and others that will come back even if cleared. Its good to be familiar with what types of codes you are seeing and know why they are there. Take a look at the service videos on the site and let us know if you have questions.

 

[pl_silverado]

Nexiq / Pro link are a waste of money. Subscriptions add up yearly and are ridiculous. What you want is either autels new maxisys cv or a texa txt navigator. If you want more info on either feel free to send me a message. I'm a distributor for both.

 

[mixerfixer]

Nexiq / Pro link are a waste of money. Subscriptions add up yearly and are ridiculous. What you want is either autels new maxisys cv or a texa txt navigator. If you want more info on either feel free to send me a message. I'm a distributor for both.

Didnt see you were a Texa distributor. Talked to a guy in NC a while back. He was a little too fast talking for me. PM your contact info. Would like to talk to you.

 

[pl_silverado]

Didnt see you were a Texa distributor. Talked to a guy in NC a while back. He was a little too fast talking for me. PM your contact info. Would like to talk to you.

Done.