Getting Started with VCM Scanner

Modified on Fri, 08 Dec 2023 at 10:45 AM

GETTING STARTED WITH VCM SCANNER

1.It is recommended you have the following before you begin using VCM Scanner:
An account on hptuners.com.
An interface device from HP Tuners that has been registered.

NOTE: For detailed explanations of all of these topics (and more), see VCM Suite Getting Started.

2.When you are ready to begin, connect to the vehicle:
a.Connect your laptop to the vehicle. See Connecting to a Vehicle.

NOTE: Certain vehicles may require special cables to connect to the vehicle. See Manufacturer Locked Control Modules.

b.If VCM Editor is open, close it now.
c.Open VCM Scanner.
d.Turn the vehicle ignition to a position other than OFF. (The engine can be running or stopped. But, the vehicle must supply power to the OBD-II port.)
e.Click the  icon in the toolbar to open a data connection to the vehicle.
3.ALWAYS check the vehicle for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and resolve any issues reported before you do anything else. If there is a mechanical issue with the vehicle, it may affect performance and any performance data you want to monitor could be impacted. This makes it very difficult to tune the vehicle effectively.
a.Click . The Diagnostics & Information window appears.
b.Click Read DTCs. VCM Scanner will query the vehicle for diagnostic information.

See Reading and Clearing DTCs for more information.

4.While connected to the vehicle, you can do a quick initial scan of its performance an emissions behavior using VCM Scanner's default settings. Follow these steps:
a.Click  to start a live scan.
b.To stop scanning, click .
c.If you want to save this scan data to a log file, click .

See Live Scanning and Logging for detailed instructions.

5.Once you have a basic familiarity with the scanner interface, it is likely that you will want to start customizing it for the job at hand. VCM Scanner is capable of retrieving, displaying, and logging a broad range of data from a variety of sources. Creating the best setup for a particular troubleshooting or tuning task typically includes the following steps:
a.Add channels to retrieve the data you want to view and/or log. Most channels are data received through the vehicle's OBD-II diagnostics port. But, you can also add data received from an external device connected to your HP Tuners interface or to your computer's serial port. See Channels for instructions.
b.Modify the displayed layouts (gauges, graphs, and charts) to include the parameters you need to see. Refer to Layouts for more information.

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