Scan Tools

09versaguy said:

since i plan to keep this versa for ten years, i am thinking about
purchasing a consult-iii, to save expensive trips to the nissan
shop. the consult-iii tools available have a wide range of prices.
i suspect those from china are questionable from the standpoint
that they may be cloned tools and may not be reliable

anyone on this forum have a consult-iii for the nissan versa?
would appreciate input based on your experience.

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Gorp said:

The Consult III looks to be Nissan (Renault) specific.
Can it re-program TPMS sensors? That'd be cool.:coolgleamA:
I have an Innova 3160 W/ABS which works with all my OBD2 vehicles.
I've been happy so far.
Also, the Scanguage II "Checks for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), clears the codes, and can turn off the "Check Engine" light".
I installed one in my Versa and it's a helpful tool to monitor and attain good mileage.

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09versaguy said:

frency chan stated: "what do you want to use the scanner for?"

frenchy chan, thanks for responding. my 09 versa is just out of warranty
and since i am a DIYer, i would like to do most of my own repairs. i
followed one of the procedures in the FSM and it says i need to replace
the BCM (body control module). i would like to use the nissan-specific
consult-iii scan tool for confirmation. while some of the procedures in
the FSM state that you can use a generic scan tool, a LOT of the procedures
call for the specific consult-iii tool. and, if i understand it correctly, the
NATS (nissan anti theft system) requires the consult-iii scan tool to
troubleshoot; so for the long term which i plan to keep this versa, i
probably should invest in the consult-iii tool, even as expensive as
it is advertised.

Vinnie Versa: be careful with leaning. if a tool will let you lean the
fuel supply too much, the valves will run too hot (known by the old
timers as "burn the valves"). the valves will actually be destroyed
(i removed a valve that looked like a mushroom long ago, not on
a versa).

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VinnieVersa said:

Picked up the ScanGaugeII today and had some free time to install it in the dash. Pulled the top dash cover off and the plastic head cover. Snaked the OBDII connector plug up into the CD storage draw and made a back plate of of 3/8" plywood to velcro the ScanGauge II.

In the photo, I have the ScanGauge II TPS ( throttle position sensor) RPM, WT ( water temp) and MPG displayed in live mode. Updates every 2 seconds but you can tweak that too. I'm sure you can see that I am going down a hill with those numbers. <grin> The unit has about 25 gauge options, also OBDII code reader and engine light reset functions.
Plus and a bunch more options.

IGN Ignition Timing
LOD Engine Loading
FIA Intake Air Temp
VLT Battery Voltage
HP Horse Power Level live

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6/3/2012

Thought I would report back after three weeks using the ScanGaugeII.
I also purchased an extra cable on Ebay so that I could use the gauge on other vehicles since I had wired in this unit behind the dash.

Watching the TPS or throttle position sensor is a great way to "learn" how to get better gas mileage. The TPS gives you live updates on a numerical scale on the position of the throttle valve. The higher the number the more fuel is consumed. So basically you "learn" how to better feather the gas pedal during acceleration.

There are four gauge values on the screen and can toggle between any of the gauges live but I tend to use RPM, TPS, MPG, Water Temp.

Having the extra cable is nice as you can clip out the ScangaugeII from the dash and use it on other cars. I used it on a Buick and two Corolla's last week to pull codes and turn off the check engine lights.

It does have a gauge for the FPS ( fuel pressure sensor) but the Versa does not seem to have a sensor installed that reports data through the OBDII

The last two tanks using the scangaugeII I got a noticeable improvement in my gas mileage. I first thought that I might have gotten a good tank of gas rather than the 10% ethanol we are forced to use in the US. Wish we had gas stations in my area that had pure gas rather than the 10% ethanol bull**** that does nothing for gas mileage and absorbs water into your gas tank. Another topic for a later discussion.

I used the same gas station and same pump and had the car facing the same direction to keep the test values constant. No topping off the tank and stopping after the first click. Filled the tank and reset the mileage trip counter. Used the pencil and paper method of miles driven/gallons pumped.

Results after two tanks ( two weeks) of gas, were 34mpg and 36mpg for an average of 35mpg. ( same commute) Now compare those numbers to before the scanguageII learning process which I was averaging 29mpg/30mpg on a good week. ( 1.8L Automatic)

So in a nut shell, the scangaugell let the Versa tell me how to relearn how to get better gas mileage.

This is an excellent tool

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