For the first time in my life, I'm considering purchasing a computer controlled engine. I'm looking at a motorhome that's been converted to a 24v 5.9 Cummins which has an electronically controlled injection pump. A nice feature of the engine is that it diagnoses itself. In the original truck, you can get the codes to display in the odometer, but not in the conversion I'm looking at. Can someone enlighten me about diagnostic scanners. Are diesel scanners different than gasoline? What kind of scanner should I buy if I end up with the vehicle? Are there simple inexpensive scanners for the backyard mechanic or do they all fall in the $300-500 range?
Is it possible to get an adaptor cord and hook the vehicle up to your laptop? Would buying an old laptop and the computer program be better than purchasing a scanner because the laptop could display more data?

Do people who own the later model electronic MB diesels have their own scanners?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Check with Cummins Tech Support and/or check their website. I recall that Cummins has a PDA set-up with the software and such to see codes and performance stats. I almost bought one when I first got my 98.5 24V Dodge. I am not sure what they offer now, hang on I will check their website, they got tons of stuff.

http://powerstore.cummins.com/electronics.html

__________________
79 240D (no name yet) 203K Miles Maple Yellow
98 2500 4x4 HD Dodge 24 Valve Cummins TD
83 Chevy Van (Dead-Trans. shot)

The VW tdi engines have a computer interface that allows you to not only view the codes and performance parameters, but also to make adjustments and modifications via your laptop.

Thanks for the Cummins site. I don't have a PDA so I don't think I can use that. Does anyone know if these scanners are useful:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product?storeId=10101&Pr=p_Product.CATENTRY_ID%3A2009348&TID=101&productId=2009348&langId=-1&catalogId=10101

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13