Understanding data from a scanner/scan tool
Discussion
Is there any online or reference materials that can give you an education in to what each of the data points or parameters a scan tool can display for your vehicle.
I am not interested in the DTC's they are easily searchable, but I am interested in finding out what the parameters mean, what a 'normal result' would be so that I can compare and understand my cars performance against the norm.
For example, my Nissan Xtrail diesel gives me data for
f/flow correction cyl no 1 ( and also 2,3,4) .
And I've learned by googling that this particular data point is showing that the ECU is compensating individual cylinder power by adjusting fuel into the cylinder ( by the injector) so that they all give the same power. The overall number that matters is that the compensating figures should be 0. (some maybe +0.5, some may be -0.5). So I've learned what that parameter means and what I should be looking for.
However there are 58 data points on my particular car, so is there any book or online resources that I can peruse to learn a bit more about each one?
I am not interested in the DTC's they are easily searchable, but I am interested in finding out what the parameters mean, what a 'normal result' would be so that I can compare and understand my cars performance against the norm.
For example, my Nissan Xtrail diesel gives me data for
f/flow correction cyl no 1 ( and also 2,3,4) .
And I've learned by googling that this particular data point is showing that the ECU is compensating individual cylinder power by adjusting fuel into the cylinder ( by the injector) so that they all give the same power. The overall number that matters is that the compensating figures should be 0. (some maybe +0.5, some may be -0.5). So I've learned what that parameter means and what I should be looking for.
However there are 58 data points on my particular car, so is there any book or online resources that I can peruse to learn a bit more about each one?
TwinKam said:
Panamax said:
IMO the answer is still to buy a proper machine to read the stuff or pay someone who's got a machine to read it for you and make any appropriate adjustments.
I think you're missing the OP's point, maybe you don't understand his question. However I notice TwinKam that you are a garage proprietor, so that could mean you are being modest and you own a bunch of franchised dealers, or that you own an independent workshop.
If the latter, assuming you don't focus on classics, then I am assuming you have a proper diag tool, use it daily, in which case how did you go about learning what all the parameters mean. Did someone teach you, was there a course?, or is it just daily experience and research?
Unless you've never been around a car before, a lot should be self explanatory, certainly on a generic OBD scanner which has less info.
There are literally thousands, maybe tens of thousands of videos on youtube etc for vehicle diagnostics, Scanner Danner, Pine Auto, South Main and many hundreds more.
There is no one single manual for every vehicle, every scan tool, every scenario etc etc etc.
And equally many books on the subject, so just go to amazon and get some books on automotive/vehicle diagnostics.
All the info you could possibly need is out there.
There are literally thousands, maybe tens of thousands of videos on youtube etc for vehicle diagnostics, Scanner Danner, Pine Auto, South Main and many hundreds more.
There is no one single manual for every vehicle, every scan tool, every scenario etc etc etc.
And equally many books on the subject, so just go to amazon and get some books on automotive/vehicle diagnostics.
All the info you could possibly need is out there.
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