Reddit mentions of ANCEL AD410 Enhanced OBD II Vehicle Code Reader Automotive OBD2 Scanner Auto Check Engine Light Scan Tool

Hey bud. That code reader is really, really outdated. It's a very basic one that is ultra economy. It's not going to work for certain cars because who knows why. I recommend an Angel AD410, it's a scanner I use at my shop for quick diag for simple problems, however in your case it will work very well and give you a lot of extra functionality, you can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-AD410-Enhanced-Vehicle-Automotive/dp/B071FSNL73/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?keywords=ancel+ad410&qid=1574729264&sprefix=ancel+ad4&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyTlFCWUJKM1FUOTBCJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzMwNTI1Sk04UjNKVjhISVhVJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyNDk5MTYxOFhNUzdYVllHU1dNJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Also, what code is the light on for? Did you fix the issue?

that is an important distinction, I meant when I turn the engine on, I have this not sure if it can scan the oil indicator. subaru calls the light "Engine low oil level warning indicator" not sure if that makes a difference.

I know that's how you feel, but what would you do if you didn't feel that way?

I'd be interested in helping you, if you're interested in pursuing this (I even have a potential business idea on how I'd use this data). Certain luxury manufacturers also let you use the ODB interface to manage advanced settings that are otherwise unavailable.

I searched GitHub for "ODBLink" (a popular scanner tool) to see what scripts/programs users have wrote, and found a Python program with a reference to a useful spreadsheet for how we could get started:

# Thanks to Brian Batista for the use of the CANBUS guide spreadsheet.

So, I searched Google for "canbus spreadsheet", and found this Google Spreadsheet: CANBUS Fleunze SE (top non-ad search result)

Similarly, for Ford Mustang cars, I did some digging and found Ford has opensourced their OpenXC tool:

>OPENXC
>
>While UDS is a closed protocol, researchers at Ford have been working on creating an open platform for interfacing with vehicles. The result is the OpenXC Platform. OpenXC provides a protocol to read data from Ford vehicles over CAN.
>
>To use it, you’ll need a vehicle interface. A chipKIT can be used with Ford’s open source firmware. Alternatively, you can buy a prebuilt solution from CrossChasm. Once the vehicle interface is up and running, you can access data from the Android and Python APIs. We’ve featured a few OpenXC hacks on Hackaday in the past.
>
>It’s great to see an automotive manufacturer embracing open source, and hopefully Ford continues to work on the platform. That being said, the OpenXC protocol is read only, and limited to a fairly small set of messages.

The conventional wisdom on ClubLexus.com is "If you're working on a Lexus or Toyota, nothing can beat Toyota Techstream." However, Carista comes close. Carista focuses on hidden features ("dealer-only settings") like daytime running lights. They provide similar "dealer-only settings" for other makes and models.

I personally use an expensive ODB-II reader, because:

• Scotty Kilmer's YouTube video "This Scan Tool Till Destroy Your Car" claims cheap scan tools can cause electrical problems in your car
  
  • For those interested in a cheap scan tool, he has a video, "The Best Cheap Scan Tool You Can Buy", which recommends the ANCEL AD410 Enhanced OBD II Vehicle Code Reader Automotive OBD2 Scanner Auto Check Engine Light Scan Tool (however, you can't use this tool for your project)
    
    I personally use BlueDriver ODB-II reader, instead of Carista, because:
    
    
• I can always convince a dealer to help me out, if I really needed to.
  
• It is the only OBDII adapter officially licensed with Android and Apple, so you know it will work with any smartphone you own.
  
• Bluetooth support
  
  • Easy to plug-in, pairs fast, and you don't need to bend over and hunch while reading codes because your serial port cable isn't long enough.
    
• Unlimited free vehicle specific Repair Reports, generated from our database of millions of fixes verified by ASE Certified Mechanics
  
  • You're essentially getting Lemur Vehicle Monitors database for free. Lemur owns the Identifix database professional mechanic shops use.
    
• Ability to log and export live data to a file (this is called ODB-II Mode 2)
  
• Vehicle specifications, maintenance schedules, recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, etc.
  
• ODB-II Mode 6: Test results for continuously and noncontinuously monitored systems, supported.
  
  • If you've ever watched
    
• BlueDriver Support is the best online ODB-II support/documentation, for free, anywhere
  
  • See, for example, these Q&A and How To articles:
    
    • What is Feul System B?
      
    • How to Test Compression
      
• Enhanced diagnostics (especially useful if buying a car at salvage/auction)
  
  >What are ENHANCED diagnostics?
  >
  >All vehicles with an OBD2 port are required to output basic information when the Check Engine Light comes on. However, a lot of important information (such as ABS, Airbag, Climate Control, etc.) is left behind by other scan tools and code readers. [...] BlueDriver gives you the complete set of diagnostics on a wide range of manufacturers.
  
  However, the downside to BlueDriver is:
  
  

1. Earlier versions of BlueDriver didn't require a PIN for the Software to authenticate with the Hardware component, so anybody could intercept your Bluetooth traffic and execute a man-in-the-middle attack and potentially kill you. (Read: Really, really don't buy an old, used version of BlueDriver Sensor). Note: This problem only exists in Bluetooth-based ODB-II Sensors.
   
   >Bluetooth pairing is incredibly simple — sometimes too simple for its own good. Without a four-digit PIN to offer a bare minimum of protection, anyone within a 30-foot range could connect to BlueDriver dongle. If the dongle is not currently connected to a phone, the process will be trivial, and even if the dongle is connected, it's sometimes possible to prioritize a new connection over an existing one.
   
   
2. BlueDriver Sensor (Hardware) only works with the BlueDriver App (Software). I haven't tried snooping on their bluetooth data stream, but I suspect there is an authentication token the Software sends to the Hardware to allow bidirectional communication over bluetooth.
   
3. If you're looking for an ODB-II reader to bring to salvage/auction, you might prefer one with a dongle, as it doesn't require a pairing step and will begin reading codes immediately.
   
   In terms of "fun projects", I was thinking it'd be cool to use ODB-II Mode 6 and visualize, in real-time, Scotty Kilmer's "How to Get Your Car to Pass the Emissions Test (Life Hack)".

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071FSNL73/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are a couple on amazon I'm thinking about. Would like to keep it under $50.

Deciding between this ANCEL AD310, and this ANCEL AD410. Either one seems to fit my pretty basic needs for a scanner...

The way it was described to me is this: the smart uses an electronically controlled clutch. In order to determine how far to push the clutch in, the system needs to periodically check the thickness of the clutch plate. It does this by a sensor that sometimes gets drunk. If it misreads the depth, it will put too much or too little force on the plate. If it pushes too hard, the system will go into a safety mode to prevent catastrophic failure. And, by safety mode, I mean it stops working. Even if you are driving.

Normally, the system resets itself every few starts. If it has the odd freak-out, it needs to be done manually.

Get an ODB2 reader. Scanners are super cheap.
ANCEL AD410 Enhanced OBD II Vehicle Code Reader Automotive OBD2 Scanner Auto Check Engine Light Scan Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FSNL73/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SE3hDb80M7JKR