Q's about my new ScanGauge II

[PeachyPeach]

Hey, I just got a ScanGauge II, and I have questions for the other ScanGauge owners about setup and normal operating values.

1. Water temp in upper 180s to lower 190s is normal, right?

2. Voltage ranges between 11.6 and 14.3 or so while it's running. Reasonable?

3. Our fuel tanks are 14.5 gallons, it allows 14 or 15. How did you all set it up?

4. MPH doesn't match--it's about 3 below the dash gauge at 60 and 5 below at 80. It's not the lag, I held those speeds for several miles. I've heard the needle is high from the factory, but this high?

5. When I plug the cable in the back, it works. When I plug it in the side, it never connects; the manual doesn't mention the side port at all, and the quick start guide just says it's an optional port. Is this normal, or a defective unit? I admit I didn't try any troubleshooting steps on it since the back one works.

Thanks!

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by PeachyPeach

Hey, I just got a ScanGauge II, and I have questions for the other ScanGauge owners about setup and normal operating values.

1. Water temp in upper 180s to lower 190s is normal, right?

2. Voltage ranges between 11.6 and 14.3 or so while it's running. Reasonable?

3. Our fuel tanks are 14.5 gallons, it allows 14 or 15. How did you all set it up?

4. MPH doesn't match--it's about 3 below the dash gauge at 60 and 5 below at 80. It's not the lag, I held those speeds for several miles. I've heard the needle is high from the factory, but this high?

5. When I plug the cable in the back, it works. When I plug it in the side, it never connects; the manual doesn't mention the side port at all, and the quick start guide just says it's an optional port. Is this normal, or a defective unit? I admit I didn't try any troubleshooting steps on it since the back one works.

Thanks!

Let me know how you like it! I'm debating on getting one eventually! Ohhh, and i'm really curious about the distance to empty feature on that thing!

Oh and on number 4, yeah thats normal unfortunately. I know because my neighborhood sometimes sets up those signs with a radar gun and it shows your speed. One time I was going 3mph over (or so I thought) and it said I was going 1mph under the speed limit. So there is a decent margin of error to our speedos.

[VDub Dan-O]

I can also verify the speedo discrepancy.
Our TomTom GPS showed the same inaccuracy.

By any chance can you read boost pressure with the gauge?
Do you have a complete list of the data it can display

Also, I'd set it for 14 gallons, that way you have that 1/2 gallon reserve just to safe.

[marvins_dad]

I have one...will be finally installing this weekend, I will check your numbers once I have it installed.

Where did you end up installing yours? Mounting the box?

[PeachyPeach]

I actually bought it to help me monitor the effects of a slow coolant leak and a very large car stereo setup. I haven't messed with the fuel economy stuff all that much yet, but it's on my to-do list. So far I like it, Fl_bug. It does what I bought it for--peace of mind that my car is running at a sane temperature--but there are minor gripes: it doesn't refresh the data that quickly (every second or so, which is a long time at highway speeds). So the speedo really is that far off, by design. Wow.

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

...Where did you end up installing yours? Mounting the box?

Thanks in advance. I have a temporary install right now, with the cable coming up between the passenger seat and the e-brake surround. Not the most visible location, but it stays put surprisingly well. I plan to mount it under the hazard/rear defroster buttons and run the cable under the dash like other people have done, but I'm not sure how to mount it yet--I hate Velcro. For now I'll cable tie it. I'm thinking about attaching an angle bracket to the back of the unit (I haven't opened it up yet to see how much extra space is inside; maybe with screws, otherwise epoxy) and screwing it to the car. I already had an OBD-II scanner, so it doesn't need to be portable.

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

...By any chance can you read boost pressure with the gauge?
Do you have a complete list of the data it can display

Also, I'd set it for 14 gallons, that way you have that 1/2 gallon reserve just to safe.

I have a 2.0 *shrug* but this is what you want to know. Setting it to 14 gallons is a smart idea.

[miffmole]

ScanGauge II

[macdave]

both plugs should work, there is no difference between them just for mounting convenience.

[PeachyPeach]

Originally Posted by macdave

both plugs should work, there is no difference between them just for mounting convenience.

Hmm. Ok, thanks.

[72SuperBeetle]

i thought the side port was for daisy-chaining multiple scangauges together.

[PeachyPeach]

FWIW, I tried the side port again today and it worked, but it took a lot longer to connect. I'll keep an eye on it and see if that continues.

[marvins_dad]

I thought it was for mounting convenience too. Could have sworn that it mentions that in documentation.

I'm hoping I can find an alternate location than over the cup holders, they still slightly function, mounting there will ruin any functionality that is left.

[marvins_dad]

Here are some pics...I haven't entered the gallons yet for the tank though.

I have a TDI so my numbers might be different from yours.

[72SuperBeetle]

Hey, check out this thread. It may give you some mounting ideas... Mounting Scanguage II

[marvins_dad]

I forgot to post the pictures of where I have mine temporarily mounted...
I would rather mount it on the dash next to the gauge pod on the left hand side between the defrost and the cluster, but I would want to fab something that would hide the cable.

[macdave]

I put mine right on top of the steering column. The wire comes out right under the cluster, I put it in there when I replaced all the dash panels.

[marvins_dad]

Scanguage II settings. - Page 5 - TDIClub Forums

You can scan this thread for the alteration settings for MPH if you want to adjust that setting to read more accurate.

[bettle765]

I too have been looking at this scantool and I was so close to buying it. But then I saw something better advertised on one of the Discovery channels. Its called UltraGauge or ultra-gauge or some variation (google it). Ultra-gauge has a much bigger display, displays more gauges at once, and does more stuff. And here is the kicker, its 1/4th the price @ $39. It does so much stuff, I have not figured it all out yet.
I was hesitating on the scanguage because of the price...but now I can buy one for both my vehicles and still come out way ahead!

[VDub Dan-O]

Found it: UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool
Seems almost too good to be true

[miffmole]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

Found it: UltraGauge Automotive Information Center and OBDII Scan Tool
Seems almost too good to be true

Wow, that looks pretty slick. If it does half of what it says, it's quite a bargain at that price.
Buy it and give us a review!

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by miffmole

Buy it and give us a review!

I was going to tell you to try it first.