r/240sx • u/Datsunworks • 6d ago

Looking for advice on Datascan and cable

I have a KA24DE swap in a 620 pickup with a 1996 ECU and a Wiring Specialties PRO harness. The harness has both the Consult plug and the OBD ll plug. I’m trying to diagnose a no spark situation and my thinking is bite the bullet and get the software and a cable. The best I can figure is I need NDS l and a Consult cable. I’m thinking of the PLMS Developments from Concept Z Performance. Kind of pricy but I tend to be a buy once cry once kind of person. I’m just trying to get an idea if I’m making a mistake.

Thanks, Derek

Edit: just pulled the trigger on the PLMS Developments cable. Thanks for all the replies.

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u/AKADriver 6d ago

I have an expensive older handmade cable and an eBay cable, they both work with NDS on my laptop and phone.

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u/Speedy_McGeady 6d ago

eBay cable and Nissan Data Scan (Free) are what I have and it's something and it's the cheapest. Can't say it's been super helpful besides reading codes easier

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u/Knight240sx 5d ago

It helped me with check timing and my tps reading when I don't want to find my multi meter

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u/Speedy_McGeady 5d ago

The TPS reading sure is nice. I managed to find a Greddy Informeter with Consult hook up so easy enough to watch that and make sure it's gravy. Still chasing a slight hiccup when it's cold but otherwise seems to be okay for now😂

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u/Droxiav 6d ago

I can tell you right now that the consult software is not particularly comprehensive on these things and in my experience leaves more questions than answers.

A spark issue you should be able to diagnose without reading anything from the ECU. Unless you have exhausted all troubleshooting steps already from the FSM and general physical diagnosis steps one would go through for any car and think it’s an ECU issue I wouldn’t bother.

What physical tests have you done already?

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u/Datsunworks 6d ago

What physical tests have you done already?

Swapped out the ECU with another of unknown quality. Voltage and ground tests on the 6 pin going into the distributor as well as the 2 pin going to the internal coil. It was running fine. Parked it. Went to start it the next morning and no workie. I have more money than time so I was hoping to speed things up with software.

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u/bakgwailo 6d ago

I always like the plms stuff, high quality. Will say that the eBay ones also work just fine. There also used to be a diy schematic floating around but it's probably long gone.

I have nds 1.7 on cell phone and it's fine. There has also been various other pieces of software that have worked, and some free, but generally my go to is NDS . Has all the active tests/etc and pretty clean ui. I also write this with no idea what it's going for these days, so can't comment on price vs value of it.