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J1939 diagnostic code reader. Anyone using it?

MAdams

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I know the MTVR has the LCD diagnostic screen but wondered if anyone has used a diagnostic computer to test ctis, etc. J1939 is new to me and don't know all whats needed
 

155mm

Chief and Indian
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I dont know mtvr, does it have a cat? CatET is required for much of cat access
 

rolling18

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you can buy a "Nexiq" interface that plugs in from your laptop to the J9139
from there you need the CatET software.. you can buy "greay" market versions on ebay or other places for a couple hunnys.
I "THINK" the real curent version is subscription based and $$$ per yr.
 

Suprman

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I can pull engine codes on lmtvs with my OTC 3418 hand reader. It wont let me change any settings though. Just basic codes and some reset capabilities.
 

Nomadic

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Nevada
Whatever J1939 hardware you buy, make sure it is quality. You don't want some chinese knockoff to short out your system. They draw power from the data bus. Drew Tech is a great brand. They test in-house, but they are expensive.

As for software, research OBD2 PID's and what CAT, Allison and the other MTVR components allow to be read on the bus. There are proprietary PID's that manufactures don't want people to read, but can be reverse engineered. Typically, we buy software and then buy a "package" for it that supports our vehicle. These packages (when lagit) are licensed and capable of decoding proprietary PID's.
 
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snowtrac nome

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western alaska
I use a diesel laptop now I still have some bootleg oem software on my laptop but I haven't used it in a while the diesel lap top like others is big money so you usually only see a professional with one. with cat et, Allison doc and cat com link you can look at the engine and trans through the 1939 with the right abs package you can also look at the brakes anything else like cab controlers will be proprietary and you will likely not be able to find software for it.
 

JonM934

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Herriman UTAH
you can buy a "Nexiq" interface that plugs in from your laptop to the J9139
from there you need the CatET software.. you can buy "greay" market versions on ebay or other places for a couple hunnys.
I "THINK" the real curent version is subscription based and $$$ per yr.
Rolling18 is correct.

I had a mobile Cat Mechanic stop by to help me with my truck and one of the things he did was tap into the ECM and read codes, get the engine serial number, etc. He used the Nexiq interface that is in the "Glove Box" in the cab. He had his laptop with the Cat software and he hooked into it easily. I asked him if there was anyway to plug in a regular code reader and he said no, it has to be the Cat type reader. Meaning Nexiq.

I have a feeling that it is really just the connector that is different. If I had a wiring diagram for the Cat connector, I think I could come up with an adapter that would allow the use of a regular code reader on these trucks.
 

MAdams

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San Dimas, CA
Yea I now have the nexiq and cat et. I also just got the allison ad software and the abs system(meritor wabco). You can get boot legged copies pretty cheap.

The cat software is pretty cool. I'll be getting the 475hp tune pretty soon


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 

JonM934

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Herriman UTAH
Yea I now have the nexiq and cat et. I also just got the allison ad software and the abs system(meritor wabco). You can get boot legged copies pretty cheap.

The cat software is pretty cool. I'll be getting the 475hp tune pretty soon


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
I would be interested in where you got yours and how much.
 

MAdams

Active member
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San Dimas, CA
I bought a clone of the nexiq 2 on ebay for $190 but its a chinese knockoff. The software is $75 each for the cat et, allison and webco. You paypal the guy and he remotely accessed your laptop and loads everything.
 

JonM934

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Herriman UTAH
I checked eBay and the description of some of them say the software only works on Win XP. Did you get a version that is newer than that?
 

snowtrac nome

Well-known member
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Location
western alaska
you can only do re rating of hp with licensed software or you need a password generator for the do it your self guy you can get a prolink off e-bay and the Allison cat and cat with acert and wabco cartrages that will allow you to read codes and do some testing.
 
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