ScanGauge II

[miffmole]

I've recently obtained a ScanGauge II (see below). JC Whitney sells it for $159 with free shipping, plus they gave me a $50 gift certificate.
It's pretty much doing what it supposed to do. You can show four gauges at once, so I'm currently showing MPG, horsepower, water temperature, and miles remaining on the current tank of gas.
So far so good, although it isn't reading the MAP function.

[turr520]

Looks good. How difficult is it to install?

[miffmole]

The installation is nothing, just plug the large end of the cable into your OB-II connector, and the small end into the ScanGauge. Takes just seconds to connect. The tricky part was just hiding the wire. I finally wound up tucking it under the dash securely.


1) Locate the OBD II Connector. This connector is normally located under the dash on either side of the steering column. On the Beetle it's to the left of the steering wheel, just beyond where your left knee is while driving.

2) Locate a place for the ScanGaugeII. You can use the sticky-back velcro supplied with the ScanGaugeII to attach it to the location you have chosen. The velcro attachment allows you to easily remove it and use it to trouble-shoot another vehicle and then return it to this vehicle.


The Owner's Manual is at http://www.scangauge.com/support/pdfs/SGMan5_1.pdf

[72SuperBeetle]

I heard the TDI guys & gals can access the MAP sensor readout, but their code on the add-a-gauge (X gauge, I believe is what it's called) didn't work at all for me (I have a 1.8T). I figured I'd give it a shot. Here's the link to the TDI thread with the MAP gauge codes; Scangage II programming

I wound up mounting mine on top of the steering column. You can see a pic that I posted on another thread: Here

Although the scangauge blocks my view of about 1/4 tank and below on the fuel gauge, and 1000-ish rpm and below on the tach, I feel that with it mounted on the steering column it's much easier to monitor my mpg. In the photo on that other thread you can see that I have a boost gauge as well as a volt meter mounted where you have your scangauge.

Nonetheless, enjoy the scangauge, it is an amazing tool!

[miffmole]

Thanks for the code. I'm like you, though. I tried it but didn't have any success either with my 1.8T. There must be a code that'll work, though, if the TDIs can do it.
I wrote to ScanGuage support, but just got a message that said it works in some cars but not others...
Beetles are ISO, right?

[MiG]

Nice, I love these types of toys!!

[72SuperBeetle]

Originally Posted by miffmole

Thanks for the code. I'm like you, though. I tried it but didn't have any success either with my 1.8T. There must be a code that'll work, though, if the TDIs can do it.
I wrote to ScanGuage support, but just got a message that said it works in some cars but not others...
Beetles are ISO, right?

To be honest, I'm unsure as to what OBD format the cars are.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of numbers does your horsepower gauge display? Mine's all goofy, and says somewhere around 275 hp max. (Which I know is waaaaaay too high.)

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by 72SuperBeetle

Just out of curiosity, what kind of numbers does your horsepower gauge display? Mine's all goofy, and says somewhere around 275 hp max. (Which I know is waaaaaay too high.)

It seems to be reasonably accurate to me. The highest I've seen is 125 hp, but I haven't really pushed it that hard using the ScanGauge yet. I haven't had any readings like you mentioned.

[miffmole]

What Cutoff number are you using to avoid the MPG=9999?
Default is 24.
Anyone?

[72SuperBeetle]

Originally Posted by miffmole

What Cutoff number are you using to avoid the MPG=9999?
Default is 24.
Anyone?

I'll check later today. I don't believe I changed it from default, but I only get 9999 when engine braking & rpms above 1800 or so, and from time to time between gears when accelerating.

[miffmole]

What water temperature do most of you get on a regular basis? Mine usually tops out at 193 fahrenheit, just like in my picture above. I did get a 204 idling one day, though.

[miffmole]

Also, my blue temperature light on the cluster always shuts off promptly at 134 degrees fahrenheit, according to the ScanGauge II...not sure if that would be true in all other NBs, but mine is pretty consistent.

[squeebug]

Yeah I think that's probably about right.

[72SuperBeetle]

Originally Posted by miffmole

Also, my blue temperature light on the cluster always shuts off promptly at 134 degrees fahrenheit, according to the ScanGauge II...not sure if that would be true in all other NBs, but mine is pretty consistent.

Sounds spot on to me. I usually notice that my blue temp light is off between 130 and 140. Your running temps are about what mine reads.