AE class is in session!
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
AE class is in session!
For the readers - I have a life and I must tend to it, but I can sneak in every so often and contribute here. I hope others with AE experience can chime in and help out... but this thread is needed as our trucks age and more scan tools are purchased.
***Critical edit: Powering your laptop from the cigarette lighter while using the USB-style OBDII interface has the potential to damage the interface and/or your laptop. Contact AutoEnginuity for input before powering your laptop from the vehicle.***
I see threads where people have AutoEnginuity and other similar scan tools to look at the readings on their vehicles, but are unsure of what to look at and what it means when they look at it. There are readings in there that can reveal stuff a tuner would rather not share... like Fuel Injector Pulse Width, Mass Fuel Desired, and Injector Control Pressure combinations. To protect intellectual property, I will steer clear of using AE to reverse-engineer tunes. This is for troubleshooting our vehicles: Finding and resolving economy eviscerators, horsepower hijackers, start stealers, boost burglars, back pressure bloaters/pillagers, and sound spoilers.
Let's start with the most basic function – clearing the codes to make sure we are reading the news, not ancient history. Connection – Key On Engine Off (KOEO):
1. Open your AE software and have your cable/adaptor connected to the OBDII port and laptop. If you have a security dongle, make sure it is plugged in to one of the USB ports as well.
2. Click on “Vehicle” and set up your “Communications Configuration” for the software to work with our era of vehicle. There is no way for me to cover all the versions, so I'll just post an image of how I'm set up for the quickest connection.
3. You need the key on to start a connection. Failure to have the key on will just give an error message when you try to connect, and some versions of AE require a restart of the software to clear the error.
4. Go to “Vehicle” on the menu and select “Connect”... or just press the “F2” key on your keyboard.
5. A window will pop up, showing the progress of the connection... then the “Vehicle Selection” window will pop up. Enter your Make, Year, and model... but I don't recommend messing with the VIN. I tried many combinations on my version of AE and it was a wasted effort. For this exercise, under “System:” - select Enhanced Powertrain. The “OK” button can use a good clickin' right about now.
6. Another window will pop up, asking if you want to poll all your trouble codes. I suggest “ALL” for the first connection.
You have just done the secret handshake thing and you've accessed the guts of your vehicle. Now you tread lightly until you learn what needs to be done in here. Not only can you read sensors, but you can control many things and set up test operations. I don't know if damage can be done, but I've never accidentally started a buzz test with the engine running... and I really don't want to try it, nor do I suggest anybody else does.
The first screen up is the “Diagnostic Trouble Codes” screen. You will likely have a whole bunch of stuff in there from lack of resetting – but ignore those just for now. You'll say “But all these codes!” and I say things happen over time and the list in there gets weird without a good reset once in a while. By all means, write down all the codes (you can get descriptions from codes any other time) because you'll want to learn your vehicle. After you've recorded your DTC list, press the “Clear” button for all codes. Now we do an odd thing... we disconnect and repeat from step four... but don't clear the new codes that may pop up. You have just completed your first full function with AE.
I'm writing the next step – BARO, EBP, and MAP readings with KOEO. I'll post it when completed and time permits.
***Critical edit: Powering your laptop from the cigarette lighter while using the USB-style OBDII interface has the potential to damage the interface and/or your laptop. Contact AutoEnginuity for input before powering your laptop from the vehicle.***
I see threads where people have AutoEnginuity and other similar scan tools to look at the readings on their vehicles, but are unsure of what to look at and what it means when they look at it. There are readings in there that can reveal stuff a tuner would rather not share... like Fuel Injector Pulse Width, Mass Fuel Desired, and Injector Control Pressure combinations. To protect intellectual property, I will steer clear of using AE to reverse-engineer tunes. This is for troubleshooting our vehicles: Finding and resolving economy eviscerators, horsepower hijackers, start stealers, boost burglars, back pressure bloaters/pillagers, and sound spoilers.
Let's start with the most basic function – clearing the codes to make sure we are reading the news, not ancient history. Connection – Key On Engine Off (KOEO):
1. Open your AE software and have your cable/adaptor connected to the OBDII port and laptop. If you have a security dongle, make sure it is plugged in to one of the USB ports as well.
2. Click on “Vehicle” and set up your “Communications Configuration” for the software to work with our era of vehicle. There is no way for me to cover all the versions, so I'll just post an image of how I'm set up for the quickest connection.
3. You need the key on to start a connection. Failure to have the key on will just give an error message when you try to connect, and some versions of AE require a restart of the software to clear the error.
4. Go to “Vehicle” on the menu and select “Connect”... or just press the “F2” key on your keyboard.
5. A window will pop up, showing the progress of the connection... then the “Vehicle Selection” window will pop up. Enter your Make, Year, and model... but I don't recommend messing with the VIN. I tried many combinations on my version of AE and it was a wasted effort. For this exercise, under “System:” - select Enhanced Powertrain. The “OK” button can use a good clickin' right about now.
6. Another window will pop up, asking if you want to poll all your trouble codes. I suggest “ALL” for the first connection.
You have just done the secret handshake thing and you've accessed the guts of your vehicle. Now you tread lightly until you learn what needs to be done in here. Not only can you read sensors, but you can control many things and set up test operations. I don't know if damage can be done, but I've never accidentally started a buzz test with the engine running... and I really don't want to try it, nor do I suggest anybody else does.
The first screen up is the “Diagnostic Trouble Codes” screen. You will likely have a whole bunch of stuff in there from lack of resetting – but ignore those just for now. You'll say “But all these codes!” and I say things happen over time and the list in there gets weird without a good reset once in a while. By all means, write down all the codes (you can get descriptions from codes any other time) because you'll want to learn your vehicle. After you've recorded your DTC list, press the “Clear” button for all codes. Now we do an odd thing... we disconnect and repeat from step four... but don't clear the new codes that may pop up. You have just completed your first full function with AE.
I'm writing the next step – BARO, EBP, and MAP readings with KOEO. I'll post it when completed and time permits.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
I'd add to the top of your post that:
1) hook up the hardware to the truck and computer USB port
2) turn key to KOEO position
3) then start Scantool software on the computer
This has seemed to me the most stable way to start the analysis. This is a great idea for a thread Rich!
1) hook up the hardware to the truck and computer USB port
2) turn key to KOEO position
3) then start Scantool software on the computer
This has seemed to me the most stable way to start the analysis. This is a great idea for a thread Rich!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Va. Beach, VA
It will definitely help the new AE buyer to get to the chase once it arrives. When mine arrived I had to dork around for quite some time just figuring out how to use it as the instructions are not straight forward.
Concur, great idea for a thread.
Concur, great idea for a thread.
Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Solution: If you look at the Communication Configuration screenshot on step 2, the "Automatically Connect on Launch" box is UNchecked. The default setting from the factory is checked, making a mess out of starting the software. My setting also allows me to start the software so I can play a previously-recorded session and look at the graphing whenever I want (this will be covered in a later class session). Give it a whirl... I think you'll like it.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: Sequim. WA
AE Class
Thanks Rich
It definitly took me a while just to get connected. The instructions that come with the AE might as well be in Greek
I'll be watch and trying ( when I get home ) your instructions.
It definitly took me a while just to get connected. The instructions that come with the AE might as well be in Greek
I'll be watch and trying ( when I get home ) your instructions.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,613
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From: North Georgia
Attending class...
Should be working on a 6 leaker in about a week and a half that should yield enough scratch for the Dr. To add to the Dr. Bag. I so completely need ae domestic bundle at this point.
Since this is ae school..
Will the domestic bundle talk to the duramax (isuzu) ?
(Not that i EVER want to go under the hood of one)
Should be working on a 6 leaker in about a week and a half that should yield enough scratch for the Dr. To add to the Dr. Bag. I so completely need ae domestic bundle at this point.
Since this is ae school..
Will the domestic bundle talk to the duramax (isuzu) ?
(Not that i EVER want to go under the hood of one)
one day ill pull the trigger
