The Autoenginuity PC Scan Tool has been making waves in the automotive diagnostic scene, promising professional-level capabilities in a user-friendly, PC-based format. As a content creator for vcdstool.com and an auto repair enthusiast, I decided to delve deep into this tool, specifically focusing on its enhanced features and overall performance. This review aims to provide an in-depth look at the Autoenginuity scan tool, particularly for users interested in advanced diagnostics beyond basic OBD2 functionalities.
My interest in the Autoenginuity scan tool stemmed from a personal need for enhanced diagnostic capabilities for my vehicles, primarily Nissans, alongside a Honda. Like many car enthusiasts and even some professional technicians, I was looking for a tool that goes beyond generic OBD2 code reading and live data streaming. My specific requirements included:
- Enhanced System Diagnostics: Accessing and interpreting Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and live data from powertrain, SRS (Supplemental Restraint System), transmission, and airbag systems.
- Data Visualization: Graphing live data for easier analysis of sensor performance.
- Mode 6 Data Analysis: Decoding and displaying Mode 6 data for in-depth component monitoring.
- Data Recording and Playback: Capturing and reviewing live data sessions for intermittent issue diagnosis.
With these needs in mind, I ordered the Autoenginuity software directly from their official website, opting for the enhanced Nissan expansion to fully test its capabilities on my Nissan vehicles. My experience, however, turned out to be a mixed bag, revealing both the tool’s potential and its significant shortcomings.
Initial Setup and First Impressions: A Rocky Start
The initial purchase process wasn’t entirely smooth. While ordering from the Autoenginuity site was straightforward, receiving the complete package took a bit of extra effort. The USB key, crucial for enabling the enhanced Nissan expansion, was initially missing from my order. A phone call to their support team rectified this, but not without a slight delay.
Even after receiving the USB key, the activation process presented another hurdle. The activation codes provided initially didn’t work, necessitating a second call to customer support to resolve the issue. While these were eventually sorted out, these initial glitches were unexpected and somewhat frustrating, especially when eager to start using a new diagnostic tool.
Generic OBD2 Functionality: Basic But Slow
Moving past the initial setup hiccups, I first tested the Autoenginuity scan tool in its generic OBD2 mode. Connecting to my vehicles was successful, and the tool functioned as expected in terms of basic OBD2 functionalities. It retrieved and decoded Mode 6 data, which is a valuable feature for detailed diagnostics.
However, the speed of operation was noticeably slower compared to other OBD2 scanners I’ve used. Retrieving Mode 6 data was particularly sluggish. The tool seemed to take an extended time to enumerate all the Test IDs (TIDs) and Component IDs (CIDs), and then proceeded to retrieve the value for each TID/CID sequentially, with a noticeable delay of 5-10 seconds per item. While it eventually delivered the data, the slow speed was a point of concern, especially for users accustomed to faster scan tools.
Enhanced Nissan Expansion: Promises Unfulfilled
The real test for the Autoenginuity scan tool was its enhanced Nissan expansion, the very reason I chose this tool over more basic options. This is where the experience became significantly more problematic and disappointing.
Configuration Challenges and Confusing Settings
Navigating the software to utilize the enhanced features wasn’t intuitive. The manual revealed that for accessing systems beyond generic powertrain, the “Initialization Type” in the Vehicle Communication Configuration needed to be manually changed to “Non-OBDII-only”. This setting is not automatically adjusted by the software.
Forgetting to change this setting meant the tool simply wouldn’t connect to enhanced systems. Conversely, leaving the setting at “Non-OBDII-only” and then attempting to connect to the generic powertrain system resulted in an error message, stating that non-OBD2 initialization cannot be used for generic OBD2. While logically sound, the software’s inability to automatically manage this setting was perplexing. If the software can differentiate between generic OBD2 and enhanced systems, why not automate the initialization type switching for a smoother user experience?
Furthermore, the “Vehicle Interface Type” auto-detection feature failed to work on any of my vehicles. I had to manually configure this setting each time, adding to the somewhat clunky user experience.
Lack of Data and False Advertising?
Connecting the tool to my 1997 Nissan Maxima, I attempted to retrieve DTCs from non-generic systems. While no DTCs were present, I then tried to access live data from the enhanced powertrain system. The software indicated the presence of 32 sensors, but frustratingly, no sensor list appeared on the screen. There were no error messages, simply a blank sensor list, leaving me in the dark about what went wrong.
Switching to the automatic transmission system, I was relieved to finally see a sensor list. However, this brief moment of optimism was short-lived. Upon selecting sensors to view live data in the Live Data Grid, all I encountered was “No data” displayed for every sensor. Again, no error messages, just a complete lack of data.
Image: Screenshot of the Autoenginuity scan tool interface displaying live data graphs, highlighting the dated design and lack of clear axis labels.
Seeking assistance, I contacted Autoenginuity customer support through their web form. The automated response instructed me to reply with all the information I had already submitted, and additionally include the AE log file – a step not mentioned in the initial web form instructions. Following their instructions, I repeated the diagnostic process, generated the log file, and emailed it back.
The subsequent response from customer support was deeply disappointing: “We don’t have ECM TCM tables for the Maxima. Reading DTCs is the only thing that will work for that engine.” This directly contradicted the information on their website, which claimed “full enhanced powertrain coverage for 1996-2011” with the enhanced Nissan expansion. To discover that the enhanced features were essentially non-functional for my vehicle, despite advertised compatibility, was a major letdown. It felt like misleading advertising for a feature I specifically paid for.
Data Logging Disaster: A Useless Feature
Months later, my Maxima’s Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated. Using the Autoenginuity tool, I successfully retrieved the DTC – P0130, indicating a Bank 1 O2 sensor 1 issue. However, my attempts to view freeze frame data associated with the DTC were unsuccessful. Either the feature was missing, or its location was far from obvious within the software.
To further diagnose the O2 sensor issue, I decided to utilize the live data graphing feature while the car was idling. The upstream O2 sensors appeared to be switching normally. Hoping to capture any intermittent anomalies, I then attempted to use the data logging feature during a test drive.
My first attempt involved a 2-minute test drive. Upon returning and attempting to playback the data log, I was met with an empty .csv file, containing only a header line. Assuming user error, I tried again with a 3-minute test drive. This time, I managed to record a mere 17 data points. Thinking a longer drive might be necessary, I conducted a 10-minute test drive. Incredibly, this resulted in even fewer data points – only about 10.
Upon closer inspection of the .csv files, it became apparent that the data points were not uniformly spaced in time. The tool seemed to record data sporadically – capturing data for a few seconds, then pausing, then recording again briefly, and then stopping altogether for no discernible reason. The data logging feature, in my experience, proved to be completely unreliable and effectively useless for diagnosing intermittent issues or capturing driving data.
User Interface and Usability: Stuck in the Windows 95 Era
Beyond the functional issues, the overall user experience with the Autoenginuity scan tool was plagued by a dated and unintuitive user interface. The software’s design felt reminiscent of Windows 95-era programs, lacking the polish and user-friendliness expected in modern software, especially for a tool in this price range.
Several aspects of the UI were particularly irritating:
- Slow Connection and Operation: Connecting to vehicles, retrieving DTCs, clearing the MIL, and obtaining Mode 6 data all took considerably longer compared to my older Actron scanner.
- Occasional Connection Failures and Crashes: The tool occasionally failed to connect and even crashed a couple of times during use, further disrupting the diagnostic process.
- Convoluted Graph Scaling: Adjusting the graph scale on the Live Data Graph page was an exercise in frustration. The intuitive actions of clicking or right-clicking on the axis were ineffective. Instead, changing the scale required navigating back to the sensor selection dropdown, then selecting “Configure sensor.” This unintuitive design choice made simple graph adjustments unnecessarily cumbersome. The separation of sensor selection from graph configuration was a baffling design flaw. Why not a dedicated button for sensor configuration, or better yet, direct manipulation of the graph axes?
The graphs themselves suffered from a critical oversight – the x-axis lacked a caption and unit of measure. Was it time in seconds? Without clear labeling, the graphs were less informative than they could be.
The tab labeling for graph displays was also confusing. “Live Data Graphs (2X)” displayed two graphs, while “Live Data Graphs (4X)” displayed only one graph, capable of showing four sensors. This illogical naming convention further contributed to the software’s overall lack of user-friendliness. A more flexible and intuitive design would allow users to create and tile multiple graph windows as needed, each displaying the desired sensors.
Even the Help menu was a disappointment, simply displaying a copy of the PDF manual instead of providing context-sensitive, interactive help within the software. This felt like a shortcut taken by the developers, further reinforcing the impression of an amateurish software design.
Conclusion: Amateurish and Overpriced
In summary, even if the Autoenginuity PC Scan Tool functioned flawlessly, its outdated and unintuitive design would still be a significant drawback, especially considering its price point. Paying a premium price for software that feels like it belongs to the 1990s shareware era is hard to justify.
For my specific needs, particularly the enhanced features for my Nissan vehicles, the tool fell far short of expectations. The promised enhanced functionality was largely non-existent for my 1997 Maxima, making it no better than a much cheaper, basic OBD2 scanner I already owned. The unreliable data logging feature and slow performance further compounded the disappointment.
Customer support, while responsive, was ultimately unable to resolve the core issues related to vehicle coverage and functionality. The experience left me with the impression of a small operation struggling to deliver on its promises.
Ultimately, my experience with the Autoenginuity PC Scan Tool was deeply disappointing. For the price paid and the advertised capabilities, the tool failed to deliver a satisfactory diagnostic experience, especially regarding its enhanced Nissan functionality. Unless significant improvements are made to vehicle coverage, software usability, and overall performance, it’s difficult to recommend this tool, particularly when more refined and reliable alternatives are available in the market. For users seeking a professional-grade, PC-based scan tool, exploring other options might be a more prudent choice.
