Foxwell NT530 vs ThinkDiag - A Review
You're welcome guys, I'm happy to help! A lot of DIY enthusiasts and even professional technicians/mechanics are scared of the electronics and software on the VH-platform cars, and it is a very complicated subject matter, but I'm happy to answer any questions or queries you may have about the subject.
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Has anyone tried using the Thinkdiag as a data logger? I'm trying to provide data for a tune at the moment and thinking of getting this so I can also write keys. Just wondering if it can monitor all the relevant systems and how often it logs etc?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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What a great write-up and resource. Perfect timing too as I am in the market for another reader. I have a basic reader that can read most codes. I was looking for something with a little more to offer and more PIDS. A couple of basic questions:
1) My friend just let me borrow his NT530 and one thing I could not seem to find (maybe user error...actually it probably is user error) is the "misfire correction profile learned" area to see if I need to do the coast down procedure.
2) Also from the review above, it seems like it can store/log data. I read the online manual and it seems like the device can store metrics and even overlay graphs of live data. Does this device have a HD built-in or store it on the SD card (or any SD card)? I would like to data log (short-term fuel trims, long-term fuel trims, rpm over time) and be able to drop the data into excel and graph any fields I was interested in. Has anyone been able to do this? It wasnt very clear from the online manual of transferring the data to excel.
Thanks!
1) My friend just let me borrow his NT530 and one thing I could not seem to find (maybe user error...actually it probably is user error) is the "misfire correction profile learned" area to see if I need to do the coast down procedure.
2) Also from the review above, it seems like it can store/log data. I read the online manual and it seems like the device can store metrics and even overlay graphs of live data. Does this device have a HD built-in or store it on the SD card (or any SD card)? I would like to data log (short-term fuel trims, long-term fuel trims, rpm over time) and be able to drop the data into excel and graph any fields I was interested in. Has anyone been able to do this? It wasnt very clear from the online manual of transferring the data to excel.
Thanks!
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There are 3 entries under the engine module that ‘might’ be the relevant one. The most likely is ‘misfire learn this cycle’ or similar and the response is 0 or 1. I cannot be certain but I think this cycle refers to an engine start to stop cycle.
In other words, if you do a coast procedure after an engine start you must use the Foxwell before you stop the engine or it will always report 0. If it reads 1 then a learn was completed during that run. Also note that a learn can be tried at any time on earlier V8 models ( I think before 2013). Later models require a removal of the learn parameter via the AM proprietary software before they will do a learn. You will know you have a propblem there because an emission control fault will appear after a few miles and a crank position learn required code will appear (plus someone will have used the software).
I have asked several times on this forum and nobody has corrected or altered the following statement, early cars can benefit from an occasional misfire relearn, later cars do not pay any attention and so there is no point.
Also the folklore on doing the learn varies widely. The AM procedure sheet requires no AC running, between a 1/4 and 3/4 of a tank of gas, a straight level road, acceleration to 70 reaching 6th gear in a manual, a hold at 70, a coast down with no braking to 35 and a repeat two more time. Sportshift transmissions must be in D mode, no paddle action. The time at 70 or the accuracy of holding speed is not quoted. I suspect it is only required to be long enough to ensure the D mode is in 7th, but I could be incorrect in that assumption. Various other posts mention things like no lights (current draw reduction), going miles at 70 before the no brake coast, coasting to 30, not 35 etc.
All I can add is that I followed the AM procedure and held at 70 plus or minus 2 for 10 seconds before coast and my mandatory learn occurred sometime in the 12 or so repeats I tried before whipping out the Foxwell. At the end I had started and stopped the engine and so the Foxwell never reported a successful learn, but the check engine light went out and no codes were pending so it must have worked.
Philip
In other words, if you do a coast procedure after an engine start you must use the Foxwell before you stop the engine or it will always report 0. If it reads 1 then a learn was completed during that run. Also note that a learn can be tried at any time on earlier V8 models ( I think before 2013). Later models require a removal of the learn parameter via the AM proprietary software before they will do a learn. You will know you have a propblem there because an emission control fault will appear after a few miles and a crank position learn required code will appear (plus someone will have used the software).
I have asked several times on this forum and nobody has corrected or altered the following statement, early cars can benefit from an occasional misfire relearn, later cars do not pay any attention and so there is no point.
Also the folklore on doing the learn varies widely. The AM procedure sheet requires no AC running, between a 1/4 and 3/4 of a tank of gas, a straight level road, acceleration to 70 reaching 6th gear in a manual, a hold at 70, a coast down with no braking to 35 and a repeat two more time. Sportshift transmissions must be in D mode, no paddle action. The time at 70 or the accuracy of holding speed is not quoted. I suspect it is only required to be long enough to ensure the D mode is in 7th, but I could be incorrect in that assumption. Various other posts mention things like no lights (current draw reduction), going miles at 70 before the no brake coast, coasting to 30, not 35 etc.
All I can add is that I followed the AM procedure and held at 70 plus or minus 2 for 10 seconds before coast and my mandatory learn occurred sometime in the 12 or so repeats I tried before whipping out the Foxwell. At the end I had started and stopped the engine and so the Foxwell never reported a successful learn, but the check engine light went out and no codes were pending so it must have worked.
Philip
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There are 3 entries under the engine module that ‘might’ be the relevant one. The most likely is ‘misfire learn this cycle’ or similar and the response is 0 or 1. I cannot be certain but I think this cycle refers to an engine start to stop cycle.
In other words, if you do a coast procedure after an engine start you must use the Foxwell before you stop the engine or it will always report 0. If it reads 1 then a learn was completed during that run. Also note that a learn can be tried at any time on earlier V8 models ( I think before 2013). Later models require a removal of the learn parameter via the AM proprietary software before they will do a learn. You will know you have a propblem there because an emission control fault will appear after a few miles and a crank position learn required code will appear (plus someone will have used the software).
I have asked several times on this forum and nobody has corrected or altered the following statement, early cars can benefit from an occasional misfire relearn, later cars do not pay any attention and so there is no point.
Also the folklore on doing the learn varies widely. The AM procedure sheet requires no AC running, between a 1/4 and 3/4 of a tank of gas, a straight level road, acceleration to 70 reaching 6th gear in a manual, a hold at 70, a coast down with no braking to 35 and a repeat two more time. Sportshift transmissions must be in D mode, no paddle action. The time at 70 or the accuracy of holding speed is not quoted. I suspect it is only required to be long enough to ensure the D mode is in 7th, but I could be incorrect in that assumption. Various other posts mention things like no lights (current draw reduction), going miles at 70 before the no brake coast, coasting to 30, not 35 etc.
All I can add is that I followed the AM procedure and held at 70 plus or minus 2 for 10 seconds before coast and my mandatory learn occurred sometime in the 12 or so repeats I tried before whipping out the Foxwell. At the end I had started and stopped the engine and so the Foxwell never reported a successful learn, but the check engine light went out and no codes were pending so it must have worked.
Philip
In other words, if you do a coast procedure after an engine start you must use the Foxwell before you stop the engine or it will always report 0. If it reads 1 then a learn was completed during that run. Also note that a learn can be tried at any time on earlier V8 models ( I think before 2013). Later models require a removal of the learn parameter via the AM proprietary software before they will do a learn. You will know you have a propblem there because an emission control fault will appear after a few miles and a crank position learn required code will appear (plus someone will have used the software).
I have asked several times on this forum and nobody has corrected or altered the following statement, early cars can benefit from an occasional misfire relearn, later cars do not pay any attention and so there is no point.
Also the folklore on doing the learn varies widely. The AM procedure sheet requires no AC running, between a 1/4 and 3/4 of a tank of gas, a straight level road, acceleration to 70 reaching 6th gear in a manual, a hold at 70, a coast down with no braking to 35 and a repeat two more time. Sportshift transmissions must be in D mode, no paddle action. The time at 70 or the accuracy of holding speed is not quoted. I suspect it is only required to be long enough to ensure the D mode is in 7th, but I could be incorrect in that assumption. Various other posts mention things like no lights (current draw reduction), going miles at 70 before the no brake coast, coasting to 30, not 35 etc.
All I can add is that I followed the AM procedure and held at 70 plus or minus 2 for 10 seconds before coast and my mandatory learn occurred sometime in the 12 or so repeats I tried before whipping out the Foxwell. At the end I had started and stopped the engine and so the Foxwell never reported a successful learn, but the check engine light went out and no codes were pending so it must have worked.
Philip
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For anyone using the foxwell scanner, the missfire corrction is shown as '36-1 Profile Learned' - It's a lot quicker to find it if you cycle backwards through the options.
Last time I did my misssfire correction, I watched it change live.
I went up to 70 in 6th gear (manual with aircon turned off) then coasted down to 30 without touching brakes or gears, went back up to 70 then coasted down again, got to 35 (ish) and it switched to true.
Last time I did my misssfire correction, I watched it change live.
I went up to 70 in 6th gear (manual with aircon turned off) then coasted down to 30 without touching brakes or gears, went back up to 70 then coasted down again, got to 35 (ish) and it switched to true.
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