Can anyone tell me where I can buy an OBD2 cable? UK based preferred

Want to buy one asap

Cheers

 

ESP Automotive OBD2 Car Diagnostic Scantool Elmscan System

 

Thanks - I'll give them a ring.

Quick question... I have EcuExplorer, once I have my cable is it just a case of plug it up and run the program?

Should the car be running or just the iginition on first?

 

just read that plugging an OBD2 cable directly into your PC may damage the serial port - is this true?

I was under the impression all you needed was laptop/pc, software and OBD2 cable

 

I have a USB OBD2 cable and use ECU Explorer. No problems and i've used it with a couple of different laptops.
I usually plug it into the laptop first then into the port on the car, have done it with the car off and with the engine running no problems.
If you get stuck give me a shout.
Andy

 

OK thanks Andy - don't want to blow anything up!

 

just ordered one and it should be turning up tomorrow.

The bloke was sure that I would need some sort of interface for it to work? I explained a few people on this site have used a pc, ecuexplorer software and just a cable and it's worked fine. He wasn't convinced (although that might be because they sell an interface for £100??)

 

I got mine from the US

OBDII cable from Tactrix

It's a bit confusing which is why I bought the cable recommended by Tari racing (ECU Explorers producers).
Here's what they have to say

Tari Racing OBDII cable advice

You don't need the reflash connectors they mention unless you intend to play around with the mapping.

I'd just try the cable they're sending you and see if it works, all the drivers for the cable will be installed when you install ECU Flash.

Cheers, Andy

 

You can't simply connect your PC directly to the EOBD/OBDII connector on the car - this will possibly damage the PC and/or the car's ECU. An interface is needed to convert from the car's data protocol, which is ISO9141-2 in the case of Subaru.

Some cables incorporate the interface circuitry in the connector shel (e.g. the Tactrix)l - or you may use a seperate interface unit which plugs between the cable and the PC.

I recommend an ELM327-based interface, this handle CANbus and is fairly 'future proof'. Check out Gendan (Gendan Automotive Products :: Professional and DIY car diagnostic tools :: EOBD, OBD II, CAN and VAG Code Readers and Scan Tools) or look on Ebay for ELM327 interfaces - these usually include all the required cables.

 

so the cable I've just bought then is no good without an interface.. ****

so I need a ELM327-based interface - how much should this set me back?

 

great an ELM327 on that site is £99.99 - thought I'd be up and running with the cable, pc and software

 

Well, I don't know what you've ordered, but if its just a cable with a connector at each end then no, it won't work. You need one with an interface. IMHO the ELM327 interface is probably your best bet because it will work on virtually all modern petrol and diesel cars, including those with the latest CANbus systems. You can therefore buy it and it will be useful if you change cars in the future or to help sort out mates' cars.

An ELM327 interface with cables will set you back around £50 and you should be able to use it with a variety of free software. Or you can buy a complete package (interface plus good quality software) for around £100 from Gendan.

 

ELM327 here for £54:

Ebay item no. 110105779071

 

cheers all - I'll get one off ebay then. Does the above item on ebay come with the cable or just an interface? (I can't view ebay in work)

 

A Snet member Tissy did a sorta group buy on ODBPRO cables and interfaces a while ago. Said they were very good (and he seems to know his electronic stuff). He's just ordered some more and selling at 75.00.

https://www.scoobynet.com/essex-scoo...good-tool.html

Drop him a PM see how many he's got.

 

Should have got a Tactrix cable, then you would be able to flash and use SSM protocol as well.....

Mocom Racing stock them in the UK...

Mark

 

I'll check out Mocom and try and get one off them - cheers

 

called mocom today but they want £95 for the cable which is a bit harsh. Will the ebay ELM327 be just as good?

 

The ELM327 will do everything that you want. Its basically an OBD to ASCII conversion device that handles CAN (ISO 15765-4), SAE J1850 PWM, SAE J1850 VPW, ISO 9141-2 and ISO 14230-4. You can connect it to any modern car and it will figure out which protocol is being used and convert the data as necessary. BAscially its idiot proof. The ones on Ebay invariably come with the necessary OBD connector and USB cable for your computer.
You just need to provide software - you can use either free software or paid-for software. Check Engine is good UK-written software that costs about £25, or Digimoto (US) is around the same price.

 

Cheers Microstar - so the ELM27 will work with both openecu and ecuexplore?

 

Yes, should be fine. The only thing you won't be able to do is reflash the ECU (i.e. 'remap') but it sounds like you don't want to do that anyway.

 

It will do everything you want it to yes, but it will not refresh as fast as the SSM protocol, and you will not have advanced subaru only functions, like flashing the Rom etc...

I agree, Mocom are a bit more expensive...I ordered from the US and saved about 15 quid...

Mark

 

I have yet to see an elmscan cheaper than a tactrix.... maybe on ebay? I know which one I would buy....

 

I bought mine straight from Tactrix, cost me about $140 when I included p&p and damn customs, plus I know I have product that will work and that I can flash the ECU with (if i'm feeling particularly thick one day)

 

I was just trying to help the OP. Yes, the Tactrix is probably the better cable if you want to reflash etc., but not many people will want to do that - for basic data logging and OBD purposes the ELM is cheaper. The ELM327 is a good buy because its covers most of the current 2001-on UK car population, so if you sell your Subaru its usable on the replacement car.

 

Sorry didnt mean to whine. Elm is a good buy if you get it second hand on ebay!

 

Hi.
What SOFTWARE would you guys recommend to use with ELM327 for logging a MY00 turbo? Also, will this same ELM327 work on a MY98? If not What should i buy that can read the MY98 error codes?

Cheers

 

ECUflash recommend Tactrix

 

Although this is an oldish thread, FYI I bought one of these eBay Motors: OBD2 OBD II Diagnostic USB Cable KKL VAG COM 409.1 BD01 (item 170236497272 end time Jul-08-08 12:20:50 PDT) for about £10. ECUExplorer works a treat with it for logging , but I haven't tried reading my EcuTek map or anything. YMMV

 

ONE IN FOR SALE SECTION https://www.scoobynet.com/private-sa...c-parts-2.html