Basic guide to using Elanscan

[Scotelan]

Afternoon All

I recently purchased an Elanscan cable from Jaoa to try to establish a rich running at idle problem.

I've scourged through the posts on here - Could someone point me to a Basic (Idiots) Guide to setting up the communication link to my Windows11 laptop?

Much obliged, Alan

[dapinky]

Hi Alan, and welcome to LEC - there are many threads about using Elanscan - but many are outdated as they were written when Windows XP was evolving to the 'new fangled' W7!....

.... however, this is the 'best' thread to start at, as it is probably the most recent (with what was current information when it was written).

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=30234

[Scotelan]

Hi Alan, and welcome to LEC - there are many threads about using Elanscan - but many are outdated as they were written when Windows XP was evolving to the 'new fangled' W7!....

.... however, this is the 'best' thread to start at, as it is probably the most recent (with what was current information when it was written).

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=30234

Thanks Dave, I certainly havent used Zip for yonks but it should come back to me but I can't for the life of me understand why I had to download X Box

[chrism]

Scotelan here's the 'EScan_beta' link from dapinky's post. This is the very latest version of EScan updated in 2024 by LEC 'gurus' and supercedes all others...

download/file.php?id=29899



Double-click on it and you'll get 'new Escan_beta and settings':-

Double-click to open it and you'll get these 4 elements:-

Open and run the two compressed files. I seem to remember that the word doc contains instr to update the old protocol for those who are updating from an older version. The .jpg file has typical settings that, I found, worked for me.

When first running 'EScan_beta' you might have to find your own comm port in 'device manager' and change the EScan comm box...

Hope this helps; I think that's it (but I haven't loaded this new version myself for ages ) loadsa luck

[Scotelan]

Scotelan here's the 'EScan_beta' link from dapinky's post. This is the very latest version of EScan updated in 2024 by LEC 'gurus' and supercedes all others...

download/file.php?id=29899



Double-click on it and you'll get 'new Escan_beta and settings':-

Double-click to open it and you'll get these 4 elements:-

Open and run the two compressed files. I seem to remember that the word doc contains instr to update the old protocol for those who are updating from an older version. The .jpg file has typical settings that, I found, worked for me.

When first running 'EScan_beta' you might have to find your own comm port in 'device manager' and change the EScan comm box...

Hope this helps; I think that's it (but I haven't loaded this new version myself for ages ) loadsa luck

Thank you, I've just seen your post. Setting the Comm port sorted it, I just need to sort out the graphing now. There's a surprising amount of information available for a 36 year old system!
#Thanks

[chrism]

Scotelan, EScan can start and stop talking as well as start and stop logging.

If you decide to log your data, when you stop logging you'll have the option of saving it. Once you open a saved log the graphs will load up into the window on the rhs of your Escan and you can choose from the parameters what particular aspect you'd like to inspect.

[Scotelan]

I have the current version of Elanscan, Comm port correctly set and the latency set to 1.
The left information section is getting populated when the engine is running (but empty with only the ignition on) but I cannot get the graph populated. It might be something simple that I've not "ticked" but it beyond my grey matter. The error log states "No reply/ No frame start byte received". I've clicked the talking and logging buttons but to no avail - any thoughts welcomed, thanks
https://1drv.ms/i/c/8a36c53dff317648/IQDeEfFKQDS8Tbtm9cK2tqKwAZ-tsi5Ez76p0cB_lUQ9fJs?e=fdWFGx

[KenS]

Hi, a couple of things that may prevent getting full plots:
1/ Talking and Logging need to be stopped in order to view the graphs from that session or from a saved file that has been loaded.
2/ Can you see the 'Graph' window? it can get hidden behind the 'M100 ALDL' window. You can click on the top line 'Window' and select 'Tile Vertically' to show all windows.
3/ To see graphs of selected parameters over a period of time, the x-axis parameter window needs setting to 'time'. I notice in your photo it shows coolant temperature, which would give quite an odd looking plot. Try setting them as in photo below and see if you get a result

Your setting:

sample.jpg

Try:

sample2.jpg

If still no luck can you post a picture of your whole ElanScan display to understand how it is setup and what is missing?

[chrism]

3/ To see graphs of selected parameters over a period of time, the x-axis parameter window needs setting to 'time'. I notice in your photo it shows coolant temperature, which would give quite an odd looking plot. Try setting them as in photo below and see if you get a result

Well spotted KenS Every version of EScan I've used has defaulted to 'time' in the x axis. In fact I just changed it to see if I could...

[TorqueHorse]

When I'm using Elanscan and trying to decipher the data, I'm referencing the Tech1 data charts available in the EMK or EMJ manuals. Over the years I've kind of hunt and pecked my way into mapping what I think are the correct fields in my head, but I've realized someone probably figured this all out already. So here is my attempt to crowd source and pool our knowledge into what the field mappings are from the TECH 1 Position fields to the ElanScan fields. I've set it so anyone can edit it and will monitor it to make sure it doesn't get spammed, but I'm hopeful that y'all will help fill in the gaps!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

If we get it to a nice spot, I'm happy to turn it into a more static doc for the wiki too.

[Tuga2112]

When I'm using Elanscan and trying to decipher the data, I'm referencing the Tech1 data charts available in the EMK or EMJ manuals. Over the years I've kind of hunt and pecked my way into mapping what I think are the correct fields in my head, but I've realized someone probably figured this all out already. So here is my attempt to crowd source and pool our knowledge into what the field mappings are from the TECH 1 Position fields to the ElanScan fields. I've set it so anyone can edit it and will monitor it to make sure it doesn't get spammed, but I'm hopeful that y'all will help fill in the gaps!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing

If we get it to a nice spot, I'm happy to turn it into a more static doc for the wiki too.

if possible. i would suggest making "your known data" columns readonly. and just let others add their "guesses" or assumptions in new columns. so that if there is a data point which has people thinking its related to different information. we will know, and a dicussion can be started in here to try find out what are the best guesses

[Scotelan]

Thanks for the replies.somehow I don't get any notifications of additional posts.
I'm currently away from the car but I'll try your recommendations on return early September.
Thanks

[Scotelan]

Many thanks to all for their patience in getting an Elanscan newbie up to speed - I knew I should have tried harder at school! I'm getting graphs now and what a wonderful insight into what the engine is doing................I now need to delve deeper into data to see what's happening with the poor hot starting but the coolant sensors and injector pulse width seem to be stable during warm up and hot running.

Question - can I enter "service mode" with the elanscan hooked up so I can observe the co readings when adjusting the potentiometer?
Thanks again to all who set this tool up.

[dapinky]

Question - can I enter "service mode" with the elanscan hooked up so I can observe the co readings when adjusting the potentiometer?
Thanks again to all who set this tool up.

Yes, but it needs some very basic 'engineering'...... as Service Mode just requires shorting 2 pins (but you can't use a paperclip whilst the cable is plugged in to the ALDL socket), you need to short out the two wires at the harness to the socket.

I simply attached 2 lengths of cable with scotchlocks to jump of the permanent wiring, then run them to an on/off rocker switch which is fitted to the top bit of my glovebox. So to enter Service Mode, I just flick the switch 'on', the off when finished. It can be done with or without the elanscan cable in situ. Also very useful for setting the idle speed accurately as the gauge isn't 100% accurate.

[Tuga2112]

ive got the bits needed to make elanscan units with a switch which activates the service mode. so theres no need to cut into the original wiring.

main reason i have not been talking about it is because i have no idea how to price it, and it may upset some previous customers.

I am also planning on doing something a bit more special over the winter months for elanscan. which would be the "all in one" scanner, logger and standalone unit. but in order to do that. i need a few other things out of the way first this year.

sending one out and 3 months later showing off something more capable seems a bit... unfair

[Scotelan]

ive got the bits needed to make elanscan units with a switch which activates the service mode. so theres no need to cut into the original wiring.

main reason i have not been talking about it is because i have no idea how to price it, and it may upset some previous customers.

I am also planning on doing something a bit more special over the winter months for elanscan. which would be the "all in one" scanner, logger and standalone unit. but in order to do that. i need a few other things out of the way first this year.

sending one out and 3 months later showing off something more capable seems a bit... unfair

Perhaps a part exchange could work mine is only 3 months old as you point out and it's taken me all this time to work it ............................or I could be a remote "test pilot"