Actron 9185

[VBOD]

I got it because of it's capabilities for OBDI/OBDII/CAN but do you think they'd have put in instant mpg as well, heck no.

Actron doesn't appear to be working on it either. I can't find anything online about hacking it to do mpg. Any of you mod your own scanner for mpg? I've thought of opening it to see if there'd be a way to wire on a larger semi-permanent dash display but what to display in leu of mpg? Load, O2's, MAP, TPS...?

[Old Tele man]

mpg = mph / gph

[VBOD]

Thanks Old Tele man, I know the formula. However, I think this is all for not.

I hooked the scanner up to my Prizm yesterday and it can't communicate with it. I contacted tech support, they responded back quickly with the bad news that my car is not supported by this tool; however I know my Mountaineer is. I'm still talking with them to determine what I will do next.

[VBOD]

I talked with them some more. I'm very lucky to own the last year of OBDI Geo (Toyota) Prizms. Actron said they didn't and won't get Toyotas' OBDI software so my scanner will never communicate with my Geo. I know I could paperclip it to get codes but it would have been nice to see more information.

Word to the wise, check the fine and/or missing information for your scan tool before buying it. It may not communicate with imported OBDI vehicles, only Domestic ones.

[Old Tele man]

...back in 2004, I bought an Acton #CP9135 OBDII 'AutoScanner' for our '99 Malibu (and still have it), but I am now counting on my SGII for diagnostics on our '09 Vibe (Toyota) and '11 Cruze. Will have to "see", as the Linear-Logic website states the SGII is not currently compatible with the '11 Cruze...athough some people seem to have no problems (which? Eco or other models).

...from the Acton manual: "Beginning January 1, 1996, vehicles old in the U.S. are required to be OBD-II compliant. However, a few vehicles were exempt since no changes were made to the engine."

...if that Toyota engine was also used in a U.S. car (GM?), there's a good chance that it can be read using GM codes instead of Toyota, because GM usually (but not always) included codes from their suppliers...try it. See if that engine was used on ANY U.S. GM product.

[VBOD]

Thanks Old Tele man, I tried using the Toy Carrolla and Chevy Prizm presets but they didn't work. Each time I tried them I got more & more frustrated so my tunnel vision was shinking. I'm giving it another, more extensive, try in day or two. Meanwhile, I'll be searching for other autos that might have had that engine/engine family. That's a good idea. Thanks again Tele!

[VBOD]

NO JOY!

The 7A-FE in my Prizm appears to only be in pre '96 Toy's, post '95 Toy's & Novas. The 9185 doesn't support ANY Asian OBDI import as far as I could summons on it so. I won't be using it on my Prizm.

So, what would be the easiest instant MPG option on it? The mpguino?
Thanks

[p38fln]

My 1999 Rav4 (Which did have OBD-II) didn't have a MAF sensor and so couldn't give instant fuel economy, even though it was compatible with OBD-II. It had a MAP sensor instead, which is pretty much useless for fuel flow.

Does your Prizm even have a MAF sensor?

*edit - I see that there's an open source OBD-II scanner available that can imitate a MAF from the MAP sensor after calibration and entering the engine size. Since my vehicles after the Rav4 have all had MAF sensors I haven't had to check it out. Still won't help you on your Toyota --

The Toyota scan tool for an OBD-I Toyota is almost $8,000, not sure if theres an aftermarket version available.

[VBOD]

Ohhh, good point p38fln; I didn't think of that. Without physically checking, just using online parts stores it looks like it has a MAP sensor. I didn't recall instant mpg wouldn't work with a MAP; thanks for the heads-up. Come to think of it, my other vehicles are probably MAP.

Yep, the '89 V3500 is MAP but my '99 Mounty is MAF. Haha, I'm pretty sure the others: '79C30, '71C10, '53BelAir & '54 3100 probably don't have a MAF, haha or a MAP or any of that high-tech stuff.