I don't know if it's old news or not on this Org according to the "search" function, but I was able to use my Harrison RD OBDII on my G35. The Harrison RD software allows you to record, view, and graph engine parameters in real time while driving. It simply plugs into your OBDII connector and then your laptop. You can view things like engine temp, rpm, ignition advance, air flow, O2 sensor voltage, MPG, fuel trim, etc. plus you can read and clear CELs. I'm going to use it to log air flow and ignition advance with 95 octane, Z-pipe, and some other things. I want to watch the advance during part throttle in 1st and 2nd gears with the auto because once you hit 3rd, it's as if the motor all of a sudden wakes up without any additional throttle application.

Not a bad little toy for $120. Here are pics of it in my old Maxima:

 

Sweet. Any links to where I can buy this product?

 

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html

 

Cool thanks. So it should work on any OBDII system right?

 

Well it depends on the make/model/year of the year. There are different style OBD-II connector ports for various makes. The ISO version connector I have can be used on Nissan/Infinit/Lexus/Toyota/Acura/Honda/Subaru. Ford, GM, and some other makes use their own special connector. You can order all the connectors so that you could use the OBDII scan on basically any 96-03 car. In 2003, some makes started using the new "CanBUS" OBDII which sends out the information to the external reading device at a much faster rate (good) and more parameters can be viewed (good). The CanBUS OBDII is not required in all cars until 2008. I used the standard OBDII scan on my G35 to see if it was using CanBUS and apparantly it is not. I don't know if Infiniti is holding out until 2007 when the new G35 redesign occurs. That would seem to make the most sense and cost effective. I've used the OBDII scan on my father's 04 Sienna and it worked so it looks like Toyota isn't using CanBUS yet either.

I got the scanner mostly for my wife's 98 Legacy GT because there is no way to pull the codes or clear them without going to the dealer and paying $90. This scanner has already paid for itself plus I do my own work which saves me even more.

And for those wondering, this is not an engine management device. It strictly is a reader, not a tuner.

 

How is the datalogging? Length? Resolution? Thx.

 

It's okay at best. You can sample as many as 4 parameters however you'll only get a sample every 1-2 seconds. It's not the limitations of the software, it's the limitations of the ECU. The ECU can only send out about 10.4K bps where as the new CanBUS OBDII does 500K.

 

Cool tool. thanks for posting.

 

I have had the AutoTap OBD2 interface tool for a while now. ODBScan sounds like a similar tool. I bought the Autotap after my wife left the gas cap off of our minivan. Ford charged $130 to tell us the gas cap was loose. I will never bring my car in for service with the SES light on without knowing what the cause/codes are. AutoTap came in handy with my G when I changed the air filter. I accidentally started the car with the Mass Airflow Sensor disconnected. Reconnecting the MAS and doing an ECU reset didn't fix the SES light. AutoTap took care of it. OBD scan readers are worth every penny spent IMHO.

 

Bump...
Sorry for the newbish questions, but does this thing work for the G? I want some datalogging... something cheap and this looks pretty good. Which one in that link is it?

 

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html

The one pictured is the Harrison unit. He's got new software out plus USB capability now for much quicker datalogging.

 

Dave, I borrowed my old Alex Pepper OBDII scanner. I'm going to hook it up to the G just to see if there are codes. I suspect none though. One thing I've found is that Nissan cars aren't as friendly to this software. As in less things I can fool with. Maybe it will be better when I finally get the Auterra (non-CAN version)

 

Is there any way to reliably read the knock sensor, or is this not even part of the OBDII spec?

 

I've never heard of that "Alex" setup. I know that my Harrison system reads fine with the G and I do know the Auterra works fine too.

Unfortantely not. However, you can watch the timing which would be one way to gauge serious knock/detonation. If the knock sensor is seeing knock, it will pull out a lot of timing.

Are you worried you're seeing knock?

 

[QUOTE=DaveB]I don't know if it's old news or not on this Org according to the "search" function, but I was able to use my Harrison RD OBDII on my G35. The Harrison RD software allows you to record, view, and graph engine parameters in real time while driving. It simply plugs into your OBDII connector and then your laptop. You can view things like engine temp, rpm, ignition advance, air flow, O2 sensor voltage, MPG, fuel trim, etc. plus you can read and clear CELs. I'm going to use it to log air flow and ignition advance with 95 octane, Z-pipe, and some other things. I want to watch the advance during part throttle in 1st and 2nd gears with the auto because once you hit 3rd, it's as if the motor all of a sudden wakes up without any additional throttle application.

Not a bad little toy for $120. Here are pics of it in my old Maxima:
[QUOTE]

Will this toy work for just about any car w/ an OBDII? Maybe I can talk the wife into buying this since her 528i's(2000) "Engine Service Light" is on. If I can reset it w/ this tool, it'll pretty much pay for itself because I know the dealer or service shop will charge me a lot more. And of course I can use it for my G.