Anyone have a setup with an ODBII cable and a 3rd party software vendor for scanning and/or tuning?

I seen the Flashpaq product, but I am looking to set up a "system" that would be versatile where the software and computer can change, but have the odbII cable remain constant.

Cars update, computers change and software becomes outdated. My main reason is I don't want to spend the amount of money for solution like the Flashpaq and not have any versatility, if my vehicle changes, i update my computer, etc....

 

So you want scanning and tuning? And you want it to fit any vehicle 1996+ ?

There is not a product you can purchase that will tune any vehicle that you might ever purchase. For reading trouble codes purchase an auto code reader. You can find models that do not even require a laptop. Or, for free, any time you have a check engine light stop into Autozone and they will read it.

If you purchase the Flashpaq, and later another vehicle you can sell the Flashpaq as it fits different years & models.

 

I guess both, if there is tuning/scanning software for our trucks and to use a odbII cable with a laptop where the software would analyze the codes and etc.... Yeah I understand that tuner's are vehicle specific and in the event I need it for another car I would have to purchase new software.

I guess i was looking at using open source apps through Linux to sidestep the cost of a flashpaq or private software vendor licenses and have an odbII cable for connecting to a laptop to analyze the codes and if there were software programs out there for tuning.

If there is only licensed software that costs as much as a flashpaq then I might as well look into purchasing that. I was just checking to see if anyone was doing that. I might have to go the pepboys route and make sure what the CEL code is.

 

You will have to shell out some cash for the tuning. I have the Flashpaq 3865 and think it was well worth the money, and I haven't even played with all the fun stuff it can do like data logging or CEL codes. You can install the Flashpaq software on different computers without concern (no linux, at least without emulation) so if you upgrade PC's you don't have to worry about that.

If you only want scanning, Google search for OBDii USB and you will find scanning only stuff, and fairly inexpensive too. But again, auto parts stores will do this for free.