I picked up an SGII about two weeks ago - for C$130! - to clear a trouble code that promptly cleared itself, and am really enjoying it. I mounted it right below my toggle switches with the included bit of velcro.

Now I'm just curious what Scangauge displays everyone is running, and what others' impression are. I almost always have fuel economy, volts (waiting for a seven-year-old battery to die), water temperature, and then toggle between intake air temperature, boost pressure, and ignition timing. (I also have a Unichip that I toggle between stock and fuel-gargling - yes, it actually works - and it's fun to see the differences in ignition timing, even if I don't know what they mean...)

I'm pretty unsure about the horsepower display: is it accurate, and how is it calculated? ...and about the accuracy of the vacuum and boost gauge: boost is generally spot-on, but vacuum is way off (at least 5 in/Hg at idle, more at cruising and throttle let-off) relative to my mechanical Autometer boost gauge. Which one should I trust? I'm thinking the Autometer gauge, as input doesn't get more live than that.

What displays have you added? A/F doesn't work, as I was slow to find out. I haven't added any others, and am unsure what bank and sensor I should generally defer to, using these commands (for 02, fuel trim, cat temp, etc.). Input or experience with this would be greatly appreciated!

In general, I have to say I'm very impressed. For anyone interested in even a modicum of data, this is among the best bang for your buck out there!

 

Best bang for the buck...

Have not yet hooked it up on the new car, but on my '07 I generally ran with the Volts, Boost pressure, water temp and intake temp. Never tied the Hp measurement, but the numbers that others reported for Hp sounded like it was not accurate (~350...way off).

Lost the serpintine belt once and was glad to have had the volts and water temp readings. But I wish they had included a programable warning light.

 

Do a search on what the add-on boost gage reads. I know that I have seen some discussions about this and seem to remember that the two are reading different locations. The scangage just reports what the computer is readings, so it should be right. What I found was that the Scangage was about right on. At idle you should be reading about 8" Hg (old memory, which may be off a bit but should be close) which is about 5 psi absolute which the scangage was reading. My scangage also showed the boost being cut at 25 psia which is the 10 psi boost that Mini uses on the stock S (the overboost is to 12.5 psi for a few seconds).

 

Any problem with the ScanGauge II draining the car battery?

The UltraGauge does drain the battery, badly, and from what I've heard, there's no fix. I like it, but it has to be unplugged when the car sits over night. Thanks,

Dave, Red 2011 MCS Convertible

 

Nope!

 

I have had a scan gauge for a few years now. It monitors water temp, oil pressure, and air inlet temp and boost on my 06. Does not drain the battery at all as it shuts off when the car is turned off.

 

I've had one in my 06 a few weeks now. @daflake is the oil pressure gauge a custom gauge? I haven't found it scrolling through.

Tracy

 

Looks like I need to get myself one of these. I would mostly be interested in monitoring oil pressure, water temp and boost.

Does anyone have pics of where they installed it? It is kind of ugly. :( Hmmmm....maybe it could be wrapped in a cool color or CF.

 

Thanks for the help, info on no battery drain for the ScanGauge II, I just bought one off eBay.

Dave, Red 2011 MCS Convertible

 

Doh, it wasn't oil pressure it was voltage.... Sorry, it has been a long day.

I haven't found a way to get oil pressure with it via xGauge

 

OK, I know, I'm in the wrong forum (Gen I vs Gen II), but I thought you might like to see the mount I made.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post3459423

post #18

 

Darn, and I was just about to ask how you got it to read oil pressure!

 

Darn daflake, I thought maybe somebody had gotten the code. I don't think our engines have the sensor for it. oh well, Eddie that looks good, I just put it under the switch panel with the Velcro cause it was quick.

 

The Scangauge shuts off so it doesn't drain the battery.

As for oil pressure, the sensor doesn't read it to the ECU to be picked up by the bus for it to be displayed so it won't work.
Now it may work on a 2011 and newer due to the newer oil pump/pressure system they have, but don't know yet.

 

Sorry for the confusion everyone, but Way is correct. The is no communication on the bus for the gauge to read.

 

Does anyone know if the ScanGage can read oil temperature? The Alta Accessport thread indicates that the Accessport can do this (although it doesn't exactly say that it can).

Also, I checked my manual and it says that there is an oil pressure low warning light. Where is that getting its information if it is not from the computer reading a sensor on the engine? Is that just an off/on switch on the engine with no real reading? The classic "idiot light"?

 

No, scangauge can't read oil temp. The oil light is a low pressure sensor at the oil pump, I believe.

 

What is consider a normal coolant operating temp? I see my peak around 108 C or 226 F. Is that normal?