Honda HDS Software / OBD2 USB Cable

[Keith Kachelhofer]

Most of my vehicles are Honda and I enjoy doing all of my service and repairs. What is your opinion of the Honda HDS Software available on the internet, such as eBay, and the OBD2 USB cables available for sale? I am under the assumption that the HDS software can be installed on a laptop with a Windows operating system. Using the OBD2 cable I can view ‘real-time’ feedback on what the vehicle is doing. I have copies of the Honda Certified manuals I have either purchased used or from HELM. It appears there is an extensive use of the HDS for troubleshooting applications and checking sensors. Thoughts?

Topic

[Rico]

I just done this. Took me many hours to configure everything.

I purchased a j2535 cable from ebay for Toyota. It comes with a software.

I did a lot of readings about HDS for honda. It turned out you can use this j2535 for honda HDS too. At least it works for me after struggling with reinstalling windows xp and try different HDS versions. The software looks pretty professional. I’ve never seen dealer’s. It’s probably identical. I can access EGR valve and other parameters and even do some bidirectional test. I’m going to take a trip this weekend and do some live data test since I just replaced my EGR valve on my Honda.

The software I downloaded is here:

Free Download Honda HIM HDS 3.102.004 Diagnostic System

It does require a lot of skills on computer operating system and drivers configuration.

Even that it’s not guaranteed to work.

The easiest and best option would be purchasing a cable specifically for Honda with the installation CD. With the success of my experiment. I have confidence with the xhorse 3 in 1 or other cheap Chinese brand for Honda HDS. My cable is specifically for Toyota I suspect. Because when I access the ABS system, HDS gives me message saying that there’s some communication issues with the interface. I assume there’s some protocols was not written in the cable’s chip. I certainly know the Launch Creader 123 can read my ABS. But, what do I know.

Last tip:
Install these software under Windows xp 32 bit system. I tried on my Windows 10 64 bit, there’s no love. I wasted a lot of time on different operating systems, install and uninstall. I’m not sure Windows 7 32 bit, it didn’t work for me or I just don’t remember under time pressure to solve these problems.

[Keith Kachelhofer]

I sincerely appreciate your time and effort sharing this with me. I am pretty competent with computers and the Windows 7 operating system. Guess I will need to dive in and try it!

Thanks again!

[harryzee]

I have been looking into this same topic for some time now, and find the lack of discussion about these honda interfaces very strange. I just want to know if these usb hds interface cables from china ($30) will work or not. I have found HDS installs that seem ok and load up, I just need a interface. I have an elm327 usb that gets me the codes and does some live data, but that’s not enough to follow along with the service manuals( seem to rely on the HDS a lot). Im looking at the cheap cables that are clear with the orange color label. Anyone know about these or any other non-oem pc interface for Honda or HDS??

Also, What scanner did eric the car guy use with his Honda Element for bi-directional scanning?

Thanks in Advance I appreciate any info you may have to contribute,
Harryzee

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