Anyone know if it's possible to get readings from the computer to show up on a scangauge? (e.g. the computer's mpg readings, etc)

This would be really awesome of possible. I'd rather do that than using the mpg calculation stuff in the scangauge itself.

 

Why would you want to get the onboard computer readings on the scangauge?

The scangauge does its own computations of MPG, and can be calibrated to fit the actual fuel consumption and distance traveled.

There doesn't seem to be any way of adjusting the MPG calibration of the onboard computer, and it isn't really very accurate when compared to actual data.

 

I love it when someone asks me why I want to do something, instead of answering a question.

There's a VERY SIMPLE reason i'd love to view the mini's computer values via the scangauge. The Mini's normal display only lets you view one value at a time.

The scangauge lets you view four values at a time.

Also, the mini's computer does MPG calculations automatically based on how much fuel is in the tank and it automatically resets itself.

It'd be nice if I could, say, see the outside temp as one of the values. Or anything else the mini's computer lets you view.

 

Yes but the Scangauge computer does MPG calculations based on measured fuel flow. Which can be much more accurate than the reported tank level.
The Scangauge can show MPG for "current trip", "today", or "this tankful". You have to reset it for the tank computation, the others are automatic.

 

Think about it.

The MINI's own computer display reads information from some internal data bus, manipulates the data into something understandable by people, and shows it on a display.
The scangauge reads information from the ODB-II, manipulates the data into something understandable by people, and shows it on another display.

It is only a coincidence that these two types of data display have similar results.

 

Mini's computer also seems to have access to other information that the scangauge doesn't have, e.g. tank capacity (or at least that i don't know data locations for, which is why i'm asking)

 

Look at the thread NAM > 2nd Generation MINIS > Electrical > Modifications:
Sticky: Universal ScanGaugeII XGuage Thread

This thread may be hard to find because sometimes "gauge" is not spelled right.

Near the end you will find the Scangauge Xgauge code for Fuel Level (%)

Unless you meant full-tank capacity, which is a single number that you can find somewhere in the Owner's Manual. (50 liters). Hope this helps.

 

Does this same code work on the gen1 minis? They use a completely different protocol if i remember. (ISO vs CANBUS)
I'll try it during lunch anyway, thanks :D

 

You can learn more about ISO codes from the Scangauge web site.

http://www.scangauge.com/support/xga...-vpw-vehicles/

There is a "fuel level" command for ISO vehicles but it is not the same as the command for CANBUS. I don't know whether the sensor is present to respond to the command.