Elan Scan help, please help

[Stereomic]

Hi,

Can someone tell me what i need to use Elanscan and where i get it?

Instructions for the hard of thinking would be a big help

Thanks

[paulrwebster]

First port of call has to be the For Dummies book.
Seriously though, you need a cable (have a word with there's only on f in Geof Smith),
software, http://members.lycos.co.uk/mcnica01/M100_ALDL.html
and a laptop.

[tigerdog]

[GeoffSmith]

And thanks to Gary's legendary negotiating skills, I am offering a free interface with every book sold!

[Stereomic]

Fantastic,

Geoff, can you "hook me up"

[GeoffSmith]

I'll stick you on the list - and it won't be as much as £75, that price is reserved for Gary.

[Stereomic]

Excellent, thanks

[DeanG]

I think this would make a great T-shirt.

[tigerdog]

I think this would make a great T-shirt.

At the risk of completely hijacking the topic, I found several places which will make custom t-shirts in single units: http://www.customink.com/ and http://www.zazzle.com/ seem easy to use and reasonably priced. I haven't used either, but it might be easier than trying for a major group buy.

[tigerdog]

Now back on topic. I'm a newbie to Elanscan myself, but I was able to get it running under Windows2000 on a very old Toshiba laptop. I toyed with making my own cable but after discussing with Geoff, I opted to pay the gentleman for his research and handiwork.

Once the laptop is booted and the cable plugged in, running ElanScan is pretty darned intuitive. On the other hand, interpreting the results is best done through posting to the forum and relying on the skills of others. To me, interpretation seems to be right up there with reading tea leaves and predicting the future in the foam of one's ale (...scrying in your beer.)

[rip]

I am trying to learn how to interpret the traces though. I feel that it is important to log engine performance when it is running properly. It does not cost anything and they come in useful when problems arise.

[Enright]

It sounds like you're getting the hang of it too Rip, especially if you're experimenting with different fuel types.

It's also worth doing Elanscan runs without ever going anywhere, and sometimes without even starting the engine!

One of the first issues I found with mine was that I was only getting 90% throttle.

It was of course due to a slack throttle cable, but tightening it by the right amount to ensure I got full range of travel was perfect for Elanscan. A 10% performance increase for free - thank you very much!

What I'm getting at though is that you need to bear in mind that the numbers in front of you usually only lead you to ask more questions, and then you need to find out what the messages actually mean.

[rip]

It's also worth doing Elanscan runs without ever going anywhere, and sometimes without even starting the engine!

Never thought of that. Will give it a go. The 'engine off' one sounds particularly interesting.

It sounds like you're getting the hang of it too Rip, especially if you're experimenting with different fuel types.

I have not drawn any useful conclusions from this research.....yet. I need to learn more about what to look for.

[Enright]

It's also worth doing Elanscan runs without ever going anywhere, and sometimes without even starting the engine!

Never thought of that. Will give it a go. The 'engine off' one sounds particularly interesting.

The last example (calibrating your TPS) was an ideal "engine off" situation. In fact it's what I'd recommend for that particular sensor.

An Elanscan run from stone cold, leaving the engine idling until the fans start to cycle is also useful, as you can check your temperature sensors, thermostat, fan switch and even the fans without forward motion varying the rate of cooling.

Er, and that was about the limit of my talents in THAT department (other than the blindingly obvious)!
Still, gives you something to work from...

[GeoffSmith]

Paul Watkins did the definitive checking the fans run. Maybe Dave Speck will do a video one day.

I was hoping to get some knowledge into the Wiki on this but I'm too busy at the moment I'm afraid. If anyone else would care to start it though........

[ESM]

Geoff, Just checked out your website. It looks strangely familiar...

[GeoffSmith]

Geoff, Just checked out your website. It looks strangely familiar...

Took your time!