What protocol does OBD II use on the 05 Grand Caravan use?

[D0T-C0M]

I'm looking a buying me a diagnostic tool on ebay. This one is cheap because it only supports the ISO protocol that most Dodge vehicle uses. I want to confirm that the 05 Grand Caravan uses the protocol that this adapter supports.

Processor: ELM323
# OBDII Protocols: ISO14230-4 (KWP2000)
ISO9141-2

[22dodge]

Originally Posted by D0T-C0M

I'm looking a buying me a diagnostic tool on ebay. This one is cheap because it only supports the ISO protocol that most Dodge vehicle uses. I want to confirm that the 05 Grand Caravan uses the protocol that this adapter supports.

Processor: ELM323
# OBDII Protocols: ISO14230-4 (KWP2000)
ISO9141-2

don't do it. if you want a real diagnostic tool, spend the money on something of QUALITY like a Snap-on, Genisis or DRB III. these generic scan tools suck. they have very limited information and will not allow you to get into other systems like abs, body etc.

[D0T-C0M]

yeah I understand the scan tools won't give you much. Howver I wanted an adapter to connect my laptop and use software to troubleshoot. I know it wont get into only the powertrain stuff but $50 for the adapter gives you alot of info you can work with to narrow down a problem. A DBR III is like $2500 used and $7000 new. Certainly not the amount of money I want to spend. I just want a tool that will help me troubleshoot minor problems and check codes etc. Right now all I'm trying to do is troubleshoot why my van is so hard on gas.

[22dodge]

Originally Posted by D0T-C0M

yeah I understand the scan tools won't give you much. Howver I wanted an adapter to connect my laptop and use software to troubleshoot. I know it wont get into only the powertrain stuff but $50 for the adapter gives you alot of info you can work with to narrow down a problem. A DBR III is like $2500 used and $7000 new. Certainly not the amount of money I want to spend. I just want a tool that will help me troubleshoot minor problems and check codes etc. Right now all I'm trying to do is troubleshoot why my van is so hard on gas.

is your MIL on? if not then there is nothing that will tell you why your getting poor milage. if the light is on. for free you can take it to an autoparts store, get the code decifered then do some internet trouble shooting.

if the light is not on, then your poor gas milage issues are outside the engine control system... things like driving style, tires, brakes, weight, wind, road speed, transmission, etc would be the cause inwhich no scanner in the world can diagnose and pin point.

don't waste your money on them crappy laptop adapters. everyone I've tried is a joke. for the money a snapon mt2500 is the BEST. I own 4 of them and didn't pay anymore than $300 each even one is up to 2006 cartridge. super ez to use, very user friendly even an 9th grader can get necessary information to make repairs.

[D0T-C0M]

There isn't any codes but I have black smoke coming out the exhaust when I first start it in the morning and feul mileage is worst than my 4x4 truck. The 05 GC only has about 20k miles on it. Its not my driving style , nor the tires nor the brakes. Transmission seems fine, not sure what else to say. They reflashed my PCM with the latest firmware. Its going to the dealer tomorrow. I'll look into that snapon tool you mentioned. I'm suspecting a bad injector(s) but thats just my guess.

[22dodge]

Originally Posted by D0T-C0M

There isn't any codes but I have black smoke coming out the exhaust when I first start it in the morning and feul mileage is worst than my 4x4 truck. The 05 GC only has about 20k miles on it. Its not my driving style , nor the tires nor the brakes. Transmission seems fine, not sure what else to say. They reflashed my PCM with the latest firmware. Its going to the dealer tomorrow. I'll look into that snapon tool you mentioned. I'm suspecting a bad injector(s) but thats just my guess.

an 05 with 20k that'll definitely be under warranty. any dealer should be able to fix that one.

[D0T-C0M]

Originally Posted by 22dodge

is your MIL on? if not then there is nothing that will tell you why your getting poor milage. if the light is on. for free you can take it to an autoparts store, get the code decifered then do some internet trouble shooting.

if the light is not on, then your poor gas milage issues are outside the engine control system... things like driving style, tires, brakes, weight, wind, road speed, transmission, etc would be the cause inwhich no scanner in the world can diagnose and pin point.

don't waste your money on them crappy laptop adapters. everyone I've tried is a joke. for the money a snapon mt2500 is the BEST. I own 4 of them and didn't pay anymore than $300 each even one is up to 2006 cartridge. super ez to use, very user friendly even an 9th grader can get necessary information to make repairs.

Is this snapon tool a read only tool or can I change settings? What cartridge would I need to communicate with my Canadian made 05 Grand Caravan (uses VPW J1850 protocol)

[22dodge]

Originally Posted by D0T-C0M

Is this snapon tool a read only tool or can I change settings? What cartridge would I need to communicate with my Canadian made 05 Grand Caravan (uses VPW J1850 protocol)

the ONLY way you can change programing is thru chrysler using the DRB3 and the MDS system. there are NO aftermarket scanners that will allow you to screw around with the protocal. yes the snap on scanner will read data and codes for you van.

[D0T-C0M]

Originally Posted by 22dodge

the ONLY way you can change programing is thru chrysler using the DRB3 and the MDS system. there are NO aftermarket scanners that will allow you to screw around with the protocal. yes the snap on scanner will read data and codes for you van.

Thanks for your response bud. I have a couple question if you may.

If the snapon tool doesn't allow me to change stuff then why would I purchase it over the software products on the market? Auto enginuity sell a pc adapter that will access all the sub systems that you mention including abs , airbag etc..

Unless I'm really missing something, I don't really see the advantage of the snapon tool. It has a really small screen, your limited in how much data you can see. On a PC screen its large and in color, you can have graphs and logging etc.. Please tell me what this snapon tool can do that this PC based software can't?

[22dodge]

OK, just go ahead and get that system. It isn't worth my time to get into all the reasons why. I can tell you from experience that getting a real scan tool over some computer/adapter is a much better way to go, however I am a professional technician with over 30 years experience including several years as a Chrysler Service Trainer

[D0T-C0M]

@22dodge

I wasn't trying to dispute your opinion or expertise. I was just reviewing the software that is available and wanted some more info from you. The one from Auto Enginuity was able go into more than just the powertrain systems and I was very interested in the graphing and logging of it as well. If you don't want to elaborate further on your suggestion that fine but the last thing I wanted to do was alienate you from posting. I really wanted to know what that snapon tool was able to do that the software/adapter I mentioned lacked?

[22dodge]

Originally Posted by D0T-C0M

@22dodge

I wasn't trying to dispute your opinion or expertise. I was just reviewing the software that is available and wanted some more info from you. The one from Auto Enginuity was able go into more than just the powertrain systems and I was very interested in the graphing and logging of it as well. If you don't want to elaborate further on your suggestion that fine but the last thing I wanted to do was alienate you from posting. I really wanted to know what that snapon tool was able to do that the software/adapter I mentioned lacked?

my snap on scanner interfaces with my lap top, it also does flight record function, with a projector I can enlarge the graphics to 310inches wide.

I also have a Genisis, it too does all the stuff you want it's just too big and combersome for my uses. so I prefer the snap on especially when road testing.

additionally I use these scanners from all years from the 80's thru 2007, kinda hard to do that with these computer interface units you are talking about.