I have MMCD but is a Scan tool good too?

[91Bomb]

I have MMCD on a Palm for my 1g and wondering if a scantool like the one below is worth having too. I'm mainly trying to figure out if it would provide any additional info for troubleshootig purposes. Both links are for the same product.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EQU-3140/


http://www.amazon.com/Equus-3140-Diagnostic-Scanner-Vehicles/dp/B000R3SNJU

 

[steve]

MMCd can access everything the ECU has. A OBD1 Scantool might do a better job on telling you what some of the data is but it can't get at more data than MMCd.

The Scantool might be able to log faster than whatever Palm you have.

 

[91Bomb]

So you're saying as long as I am able to understand what MMCD is showing me I'm already getting all the info I need?

 

[steve]

Not exactly. What I'm saying it that the Scantool can't display anything more than what MMCd does. It could display it faster (more samples/second) than you might be able to with some Palm PDA.

Or it might not tell you as much as MMCd does. Some Scantools only tell you the fault codes and aren't loggers like MMCd.

 

[91Bomb]

So you're saying even a good OBD-1 scan tool wouldn't be any more useful than mmcd for troubleshooting problems?

 

[steve]

On a DSM, pretty much.

 

[91Bomb]

Ok thanks.

What are auto mechanics using when they plug into the OBD port and are able to activate/deactivate windshild wipers and other solenoids etc?

 

[91Bomb]

^
Anybody?


Ok, so if my check engine light comes on should I pull the code with my analog voltmeter and then plug in mmcd to see what's exactly wrong?

One thing I like about the scan tools it says they'll store codes which is good if you're having intermttant problems. Is there a program I can install on my Palm or SD card to plug into Palm that mimicks scan tools? I'm not looking to ditch MMCD at all but wondering if there's any programs that would be worth having in addition to it. Thanks

 

[steve]

Sounds like you don't know how to use the Test Screen in MMCd.

 

[91Bomb]

Sounds like you don't know how to use the Test Screen in MMCd.

Didn't know about that feature until now

 

[steve]

Does that make my earlier comments easier to understand?

 

[91Bomb]

Sort of. Now I need to either find the cd-rom that I misplaced that explains all this stuff or I need to find a site on the internet that explains everthing