Maf

Well looks like my Intrigue wants a new MAF. Easy job, I just hate having to spend lots of money on boring parts.
I do clean it more now with having an airfilter that calls for oil, but I think I'm going to revert back to cheapy paper filters.
Always petty crap taking the "fun parts" money.

Just out of curiousity, is it possible when I pulled the fuse for my secondary air it could be causing a boat load of MAF codes (5 to be exact)? I can understand my new downpipe throwing a cat code because it's flowing better than the stock design, but it shows no codes for the cat, no o2 codes, just 5 MAF codes and 2 secondary air.
Anyone know of a GM Tech II scanner to be had cheap, I want to see some real time parameters at my liesure...

Gotta be careful buying used Tech II's. Some of them got slapped around from years of abuse in the service bays. There are also cheap Chinese knockoffs floating about on EBay.

no. just trust me i know.

Yeah I was hoping someone was getting out of the wrenchin biz, or knew of someone that was....I'm currently on strike against China and don't believe the strike will end until I'm dead.

The downpipe wouldn't cause a MAF error. Nor, would it cause the engine to run lean.
An EFI system is a closed loop system with the oxygen sensor as the main feedback sensor. GM PCMs have no problems going over +/-10%.
In reality, your downpipe does little. If anything, it hurts low-end HP. And, it likely helps with a little more HP over 3K.
Any gain will be seen when replacing a cat with 40K+ miles.

There have been many dynos runs done with different size exhaust systems and with/without cats.
Often, people believe BS more than they believe real data. And, BS is what sells ****** products, and makes money for these companies. Then again, if people want ******, why shouldn't the companies sell it to them?


If you have an Andriod, iWhatever, or laptop, you can use a cheap bluetooth OBD-II connector. Below, I have pictures taken with my 10" tablet and the free version of the Torque program. I have the paid version on my 7" tablet.

The update rate isn't very fast. Still, it's a few times per second.
It displays only some of the real-time data. And, IIRC, you can't clear error codes.
But, it's cheap, and it does offer a lot of functionality for a very low cost..
If your laptop doesn't already have bluetooth, you can buy a cheap USB to bluetooth adapter.

The forth picture with just three graphs shows what the O2 data should look like.
Sample rate, etc is what effects the O2 graphs in the first three pictures.
BTW, "F/T" is the fuel trim for that rpm-range/load-range cell. It may be the short-term trim. I forget.
Read the help file/web site for more info.














Here is what I have on my Android tablets:
Android 4.x


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/
BAFX Products (TM) - ELM 327 Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool - For check engine light and other diagnostics - Android compatible
Price: $23.99


Here's the paid app that I have: $4.95 on my 7" table, and the free version on my 10" tablet:

Torque Pro (OBD 2 & Car)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque




Here's a free app that I also have:
I didn't check to see what parameters it did read, and the update rate.


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.wgsoft.scanmaster
ScanMaster Lite is an application for vehicle diagnostics to OBD-2/EOBD standards. It "transforms" your Android smartphone or tablet to a vehicle diagnostic device. Many important OBD-2 functions are despite "Lite" available without restriction. Only the number of parameters and error codes are limited compared to the Pro version.

If you don't want the china made Tech-II clone/whatever, that's your choice.
Now, they are down to only ~$550. The shipping likely takes 2-3+ weeks. Who knows how much longer they will be available.
GM uses a newer scanner for the ?06? and newer cars. Just try to find a OBD-I scanner now that shows real-time data. And, it's impossible to find an ABS scanner for many GM OBD-I ABS systems, for under $1500+. "China" sells stuff that has a good demand - like just about any company. When demands falls low enough, they won't offer the product any more.


You can get an Actron CP9580A from ebay for ~$140. Amazon has them for ~$180.
Below is a list comparing the Actron products. The list is from the Amazon web page for the older Actron CP9580.



Actron CP9580A






Amazon and ebay search links:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009HVPV4S/
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=CP9580A


Product Page:
http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16366

Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T7Oa_eUuwM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-6oGoWnkJ8

Good Luck.

FWIW, the following book is often considered a "bible" when it comes to dyno tests. Still, there are gray areas in the data and tests.

http://www.amazon.com/Tests-Design--Yourself-Guides-Enthusiasts/dp/1884089453/




Many years ago, an exhaust company did very good dyno tests on the Mustang GTs with the 4.6 V8 DOHC engines ('94 - '04) . They did tests with/without cats, factory/aftermarket cats, factory/aftermarket exhausts, etc. For a stock engine (up to 260HP depending on the year), the factory setup was best for the "max power under the curve". Removing the cats never helped, and often resulted in a loss of HP. Same with a bigger exhaust.
Even with engine mods, with a bigger exhaust, more HP was often only above 4,500RPM. And, there was often HP loss in the low RPM ranges.

Wow, great news!
But, all that really meant is that people bought other exhaust setups for their stock GTs.
That way they could brag that they now got over 500HP and 100MPG!

So, what do you think that company did with their report. Yup, got rid as much evidence of that report that they could. And, posted BS dyno results.


The air flow simulation tools available since the mid 90's has made it easy for the car manufactures to tune their exhaust/cat/muffler sizes for max HP and MPG. A car manufacture will spend many millions of dollars on engine/tranny/etc design to get the best MPG and gas mileage.
Given that, why would a car manufacture spend many millions of dollars to get a few HP and MPG from an engine, and then be so stupid as to have a POS air intake system that can be improved by ******** mods? Or, to have a POS exhaust system that is so poorly designed, someone can greatly improve the HP and MPG with some ****** they randomly grab?

BTW,

If someone does want something with the ability to do many of the factory tests (like turning off an injector for testing), and they don't want a GM Tech-II clone, or to pay the $~2K+ for a used real GM Tech-II scanner, then a suggestion from another GM forum is to get the Snap On MT2500 or the Snap On MTG2500 scanners. The MTG2500 adds the ability to show data in a graph form. But, they do not come up on ebay that much.

A Snap On MT2500 kit often sells on ebay for under $400. Make sure you get the modules that cover your car(s) and years!
I think that some of the standard GM modules go up to 1999. That might work for a 2000+. But, I doubt that it would have any AIR System parameters.

BTW, I do not know for a fact that the snap-on scanner does the injector diagnostic tests/etc on a W-body GM platform.
IMHO, being able to do a CPS (Crank Position Sensor) recalibrate or a steering wheel angle recalibrate is a very good thing. Those are the main reasons I got the Tech-II clone.
My guess is that the Snap On MT2500 does do those tests. IIRC, someone had a Snap On MT2500 in this forum, and I think they sold it someone else in this forum. Maybe they can chime in, so that we know for sure.
Yes, the PCM and engine will likely "run" if someone doesn't do a CPS recalibrate with a new CPS or a new/used engine.
But, misfires can, and likely will, happen at high rpms. There will likely be "misfires" at high rpms without doing a CPS recalibrate. But, they'll likely be "minor" and hopefully will not add to the POS heads eventually blowing the head gaskets.

With my brand new engine, I had the choice to spend $$$ for a dealer to do the CPS and steering wheel angle recalibrate, or buy a Tech-II clone for ~$1,100(back then). The used real Tech-II scanners where going for over $2k on ebay back then. I checked for over 2months. I knew that buying a clone was a risk. Especially if those special functions didn't work.

I've mentioned before that the Tech-II clones do have a well deserved reputation for not lasting a "long time" or holding up to a "lot of use". Considering how much I use my scanners, my Tech-II clone should outlast me with no problem at all.

BTW, the steering wheel angle sensor is used for the optional stability control.


Snap On MT2500




Ebay search links for SnapOn MT2500:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Snap+On+mt-2500&_dcat=43989&Tool%20Type=Kits%20%26%20Sets&rt=nc

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Snap+On+mt-2500


Hot to Use the Snap On MT2500
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7STe8LjeKGU

Snap On MTG2500 Graphing scanner on 97 Mercedes E420
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eHA4-h7djQ


For reference, a GM Tech-II:
Getting Technical with Your Tech 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUlGunZ5QAo



FWIW, I also went a new cat and with a bigger downpipe and one that did not have the "U" bend. And, I'd do it again without regret! Like with my Mustang, if I lose ~3HP below ~1K rpms, then BFD. I'd rather have the better flow, and hopefully better gas mileage, on the highway.
Also, IMHO, *I* would rather have a few more HP in the higher rpms for better passing.




IMHO, everyone has their own needs, budgets, and desires.
I try to present the options, and what I think some of the possible good/bad points are of the options.



Good Luck!

Cutlass350 is it possible to post a link for a clone tech II? One of the biggest reasons I am considering a Tech II is because they're bi-directional so like you were saying you can kill injectors, I see having the ability to turn things on/off from a scanner a very helpful tool for trouble shooting, although I'm not knocking a standard OBD II scan tool, they help but they have their limits, and I am now trying to gain a customer base because mechanics is my passion and God given talent, so it's really not just a want anymore, it's a need so I can eliminate things without going part for part until an issue is resolved.
I had read about the Snap-On scan tool, lots of good things said, But like you said again, they aren't on ebay much.

505_pike said:

Cutlass350 is it possible to post a link for a clone tech II?.

Click to expand...

I will say that I ordered my scanner, the TIS CD, and some other scanner software that came on a hard disk from the company below. So far, I've only used the scanner. No problems in getting any of the stuff. They do have a decent email customer service.
That's the only endorsement I can give the company. As I said, from a forum/web site that talked about fake Tech-II scanners, my scanner had every indication of it being a fake.
The cables, the storage case, the scanner case, etc all looked fine.
But, as a computer engineer, I noticed the cheap LCD display and "flickering" update rate. It does not effect the effectiveness of the unit. But, it does point to the quailty of the electronic components inside.

What's interesting, is that the cost of cables/connectors/case/etc likely FAR outweigh the cost of the electronics. My guess is that the total assembled electronics cost is under $20. And, it wouldn't surprise me if it came in just under $10.


Here is where I got mine:
http://www.uobd2.com/wholesale/gm-tech2-gm-diagnostic-scanner-1407.html
GM Tech2 GM Diagnostic Scanner
Item No. SP23-C
In Stock
Latest price:US$449.99
Shipping: US$150.00
Estimated delivery time: 3-5 Days
(IIRC, mine took about 2 weeks. Also, IIRC, mine came by DHL. I know it needed a signature. I forget if I could leave the signed door tag, or if I had to pick it up in person.)

Also, mine does has "kinda-noticeable flicker" in the display update. If I had to guess, the display is updating about ~5->10 times a second. Noticeable enough to produce/detect "a flicker". But, does not effect the ability or usefulness.


Also, although the description says it comes with "TIS 2000 CD", mine did not. They do sell the CD and USB key for ?~$30?. I got it, never installed it. *IMHO*, I would only install that software on a laptop/etc machine that doesn't have *any* of my personal info at all on it - not even web site passwords.usernames. I do have a laptop just for that purpose. Never got around to installing the software. Don't forget where the software came from.
Even if the company could be trusted, I doubt they have a super good computer security setup. I know that many years ago, other companies (like the second-tier ?graphics cards?) shipped disks with unintentional viruses on them.


BTW, this is a big case.


GM Tech2 GM Diagnostic Scanner
The Tech-2 is the same tester GM Technicians use to diagnose GM vehicles. The Vetronix Tech 2 comes with Authentic GM software and provides support for on-board diagnostics on all GM systems 1992 thru 2010.

GM Tech2 Specification:
1) Authentic GM software in the Tech 2 Flash means the most comprehensive diagnostic software available for late model GM vehicles.

2) Support for on-board diagnostics on all GM systems 1992 thru current year.

6) Ability to capture stored DTCs, Freeze Frame, and Failure Record for later review.

7) Ability to view the status of vehicle diagnostic tests as they run.

8) Bi-directional The authentic GM 1992-current year software will provide full bi-directional control when performing power train, chassis, and body diagnostics.

9) Vetronix Tech 2 Specifications

13) Communications: Integral RS232 communication port.

4. Software Version: GM English 32.007
GM Tech2 Package list:
Tech-2 Flash Tester
32 MB PCMCIA Card with GM OE Applications
CAN diagnostic interface module(CANdi) and instruction sheet download (199.2 kb)
RS232 cable and user`s manual
RS232-DB9 adapter
DLC Cable, DLC Loopback Adapter
12V Cigarette Lighter Power Cable
SAE 16/19 Adapter
NAO 12/19 Adapter
Battery Power Cable
Storage Case
TIS 2000 CD (Note: Mine did not come with the TIS CD, even though t said so in the description).




BTW, If you plan using the scanner more than "occasionally", then I'd suggest getting a spare main unit:
http://www.uobd2.com/wholesale/gm-tech2-multiplexer-gm-scanner-main-unit-4707.html
GM Tech2 Multiplexer GM Scanner Main Unit
Item No. SP23-Z
Buy it Now:US$269.00
Shipping: $26.50



On yea, and of course, pay only by paypal! That way, they never get any credit card info, and you can be sure of getting the item. Paypal is is not very seller friendly. Like ebay (who now owns paypal), they care more about making sure that the buyer is happy. Yet, another reason I've never sold anything on ebay. IMHO, if I was to sell anything, I'd sell it through the "classified forums" on the car web sites. No losing 10%+ to ebay and less likely to be screwed by some *******/idiot buyer.

BTW, from an ebay auction to fix only genuine Tech-II scanners:

How to detect a clone Tech2 :
NO PRODUCTION DATE INSIDE THE COVER FOR THE SOFTWARE CARD, IT'S A CLONE.

IF THE PHONE NUMBER FOR SUPPORT ENDS IN 4009, DEFINITELY A CLONE.

THE VOID STICKER OVER A BOLT HOLE IS NOT COMPLETELY CLEAR TO READ, DEFINITELY A CLONE.

IF YOUR TECH 2 HAS LITTLE WHITE STICKERS OVER THE CASE 1/2'S WITH 'VETRONIX' AND CHINESE SYMBOLS INDICATING DATE, DEFINITELY A CLONE.


Also, if you check the ebay auctions, genuine Tech2 scanner kits go for ~$3K+.