I'm not a scanner guru, but if you're talking OBD-II, there are 5 different levels of OBD-II. Google the issue and you'll find the 5. One is for GM, one for Ford, a couple of "ISO...." and CAN - used a lot by Toyota and maybe others Asian mfgs. The Asian mfg. also use the 2 "ISO....".

Also be aware that these OBD-II scanners are useful for a given number of systems on your car. You would need proprietary scanners for things like ABS. There are others.

Last but not least is the forth-coming "Big Brother" - OBD-III - used in 2008 models and those that follow until OBD-IV or whatever they'll name that one.

If I were you, I'd scrap the scanner plans and get after the PhD.

Just my 2 cents.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"