ScanGaugeII Observations

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

I can't resist this discussion!!

So, if you are towing, it seems to me that the key things to monitor are:

LOD (Load) You know what % of total torque availabe at that RPM you are using

TFT (Transmission Fluid Temperature)

GR (Gear Ratio) So, you know what gear you are in

SLP (Slip or torque converter % throughput) so you know if your torque converter is locked

Another possibility is CTQ or computed torque

Would some of you with this device have an alternative point of view?

I think those functions pretty much cover things on a need to know basis.

I don't see where other functions like fuel pump cycle, torque converter line pressure, cylinder head temperature, EGR duty cycle, etc. would have a big influence with pulling a trailer. I have been tempted to program in barometric pressure so I know when the next weather front comes through.

I haven't towed yet this spring, so I haven't tried the LOD and CTQ much yet. I am anxious to see what they indicate. Usually, I monitor GR, SLP, TFT, and MPH during my road trips, but will now check out those additional functions when the time comes.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I have been tempted to program in barometric pressure so I know when the next weather front comes through.

Aren't you the funny guy!! HA!

I DID code that one and get a blank. I probably got a bad code from ScanGauge on that one too. (And I double checked them all . . . ) I thought it might be interesting at higher altitudes (eg 10,000 feet) to see how much pressure changes. (Just for fun) Have to agree with your assessment that numerous readouts are seemingly of little or no value. But some of them are probably essential to the programming in the ECM to manage the transmission etc. I think you will like monitoring LOD. If you are off of cruise, it helps you back off a little at times to avoid a transmission downshift. CTQ is interesting but it doesn't help you a lot.

[lbrjet]

I played around with LOD last weekend and did found it useful when in OD with TC locked going up a hill. When gets to 99 can back off gas slightly (and slow down of course) to avoid unlocking the TQ. Lose 5-10 MPH till crest the hill, but nice to know when the TC is going to unlock, especially when using cruise.

[lbrjet]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Aren't you the funny guy!! HA!

I DID code that one and get a blank. I probably got a bad code from ScanGauge on that one too. (And I double checked them all . . . ) I thought it might be interesting at higher altitudes (eg 10,000 feet) to see how much pressure changes. (Just for fun) Have to agree with your assessment that numerous readouts are seemingly of little or no value. But some of them are probably essential to the programming in the ECM to manage the transmission etc. I think you will like monitoring LOD. If you are off of cruise, it helps you back off a little at times to avoid a transmission downshift. CTQ is interesting but it doesn't help you a lot.

I was posting at the same time as you on LOD. BAR works on my truck, but haven't had a need for it yet.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I played around with LOD last weekend and did found it useful when in OD with TC locked going up a hill. When gets to 99 can back off gas slightly (and slow down of course) to avoid unlocking the TQ. Lose 5-10 MPH till crest the hill, but nice to know when the TC is going to unlock, especially when using cruise.

EXACTLY!! Well said . . .

[Goomph]

Ohhhh, this is interesting now ! I love this forum ! learning something every day ! I will try to make use of the LOD functionality !

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I played around with LOD last weekend and did found it useful when in OD with TC locked going up a hill. When gets to 99 can back off gas slightly (and slow down of course) to avoid unlocking the TQ. Lose 5-10 MPH till crest the hill, but nice to know when the TC is going to unlock, especially when using cruise.

[acadianbob]

More interesting than carping about Chineese tires huh?!

[acadianbob]

Here's another thing. If I can't hold OD, if the speed is going to drop too low, I temporarily lock out overdrive as I would rather be in 3rd with TQ lock than 4th with the TQ unlocked.

[MtnGuy]

I have been using my MPG in place of the LOD.....when that puppy starts showing 8 mpg or less, the truck is ready to shift down. I will now start monitoring the LOD instead.

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

Flyrotor, Did you move the SGII to the Dodge?

If so, how does it work?

No I haven't taken the time to set it up for the Dodge, I plugged it in one day and I wasn't getting the horse power or torque readings so I took it out, it's just sitting on the shelf in the garage. My Dodge has the 6 speed manual transmission and I don't believe it will monitor the temp there as well.

The Dodge has a pretty good reading on fuel consumption and MPG's, when it was in the suburban the things I regularily monitored were MPG, Miles to empty, Trans Fluid Temp, HP, CTQ.

I might play around with it a bit more, not real sure, I also am not looking forward to mounting it anywhere in the Dodge.

My 2001 BWM keeps setting of the check engine light, so I might use it more for checking codes to see if I really need to get in the shop or not.

[Goomph]

If you are going to sell it, I call dibs on it They can be daisy chained obviously and another one won't hurt

Originally Posted by flyrotor

No I haven't taken the time to set it up for the Dodge, I plugged it in one day and I wasn't getting the horse power or torque readings so I took it out, it's just sitting on the shelf in the garage. My Dodge has the 6 speed manual transmission and I don't believe it will monitor the temp there as well.

The Dodge has a pretty good reading on fuel consumption and MPG's, when it was in the suburban the things I regularily monitored were MPG, Miles to empty, Trans Fluid Temp, HP, CTQ.

I might play around with it a bit more, not real sure, I also am not looking forward to mounting it anywhere in the Dodge.

My 2001 BWM keeps setting of the check engine light, so I might use it more for checking codes to see if I really need to get in the shop or not.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I have been using my MPG in place of the LOD.....when that puppy starts showing 8 mpg or less, the truck is ready to shift down. I will now start monitoring the LOD instead.

I did that for a long time too. It does work somewhat as an analog to LOD. And it works reasonably well if you do want to monitor your MPG while towing.

[kbrown1075]

I got my ScanGuage II in the other day. Plugged it in and was working. I started working on the XGuages for tranny temp, etc... nothing. No matter how I tried them (with 01 or without, PVM or CANSF). I even tried codes for things I didn't want. I was dissappointed to say the least. Then the geek in me got the better part of me, I'll write my own codes.... I'm not a programmer! LOL. After a while I just gave up, reset the ScanGuageII to "DEFAULT SETTINGS" and "BAM" all my factory XGuages that I wanted were working! It is very obvious to me that the SGII will pay for itself in a very short time! Can't wait to tow... observing normal driving readings to get a base line. GREAT TOOL!

[MtnGuy]

Kirk, glad you got it working. After you reset your gas mileage during the 1st couple of gas stops, you will be good to go.

[kbrown1075]

Thanks Chap,

I will have to wait for my next trip with the TT. I drive a company vehicle during the week and only use the TV around town on the weekends. The town isn't big enough to burn that much gas without getting dizzy .

My main concern was transmission temp. I had the transmission rebuilt after a code, transmission component slip, was read on our way to FL at Thanksgiving. We made it home OK, and had the transmission rebuilt prior to any serious damage. I do not want to damage anything more, that's for sure. BTW, the TV had a 128,000 when I bought it, didn't plan on a TT at that time. I had an aftermarket analog guage installed. The analog guage is not the same as the SGII readings. The higher the TFT the more difference appears (SGII being up to 30* higher than the analog guage). The analog guage sensor is in the pan, and still trying to find out where the computer gets it's reading from (sure it's inside the transmission). A friend of mine is the service manager at the local GM dealer and can be a wealth of info, but he is not sure about where the TFT sensor is.
Oh well, hopefully I'll have to go somewhere today and get to play some more.... tough part is keeping my eyes on the road and not all the data spewing out infront of me!!

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by kbrown1075

The town isn't big enough to burn that much gas without getting dizzy .

That was the funniest line I've seen in awhile!!

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

I BAR works on my truck, but haven't had a need for it yet.

Hmmm, BAR might just work on newer trucks. Like Bob, mine just comes up blank. Can't say I didn't try.

[thebrakeman]

I'm up and running!
LOD came up automatically as a standard gage, as well as the other standards. I also have TFT and GR as Xgauges using the website codes.

FYI,
SLP would not work for me, with either of the website codes. I posted a question on ExplorerForums for the 4th gen (6-speed) version. Well, James from Linear Logic found my hit, did some digging, registered for the forum, and provided me with an "experimental" set of codes to try.

So, if SLP isn't working for you, try the codes below. Note that instead of providing % convertor lock (fully locked being 100), these codes provide the difference in convertor input/output speeds (input minus output). So a locked convertor yields an SLP reading of "0". Slippage will be a positive number, and can be quite high.

This will work on Explorer/Mountaineer with V8 and 6-speed transmission, and I bet it will be needed on F150s with the 6-speed, too.

Torque Converter Slip (RPM)
TXD: 07E12211B8
RXF: 0462051106B8
RXD: 3010
MTH: 000100100000
NAM: SLP