Posting my issue here as well as General Tech Help to get a little more feedback.

After replacing my heater core about (2) weeks ago, I plugged in the iCarsoft to check the coolant temps and I got a "could not communicate" error. Unplugged and tried again and again and again. I "thought" maybe the iCarsoft cable or unit might have broke. I plugged it into my BMW and it worked just fine.

Tried again on the truck...no dice

I looked at the fuses under the steering wheel and in the engine bay, didn't see any bad fuses and was not really sure which one to look at.

Updated the software on the iCarsoft and tried again, no dice

I disconnected the battery for about a minute and tried again, no dice

I disconnected the negative battery lead for 20 minutes and tried, no dice

Can anyone think of what "might" of happen during my heater core replacement that would have cause the unit to stop talking to my truck? It talking to my truck before, and as I said, it works on my BMW.

I have tried the iCarsoft customer support line and it disconnected
I have tried the iCarsoft email support twice, and no response

 

Try to hook up a generic code reader. That way you can isolate the problem, truck or the tool.

 

Thinking about that, however, I plugged the unit into my BMW and it read the ECU just fine.

 

Sorry,I read that and didnt even take it into account.

 

Thanks! I was checking the RAVE and trying to figure out what the readings would be on a multi meter. I "believe" I know where the tool is getting hung up but, no way to validate.

 

Update

decided to check again today and it started working again...wtf

 

How did you get it back up and working sir? Have the same problem, tried on both of my trucks and never worked, once in awhile no-configuration setting shows as error message but most of the time error in communication, I ended up replacing the cable as well but no luck. Would appreciate any help and advise!

 

Did you already do the update to the software?

 

Only time I ever get the can't communicate message on the iCarsoft LR2 is when the ignition switch needs to be on position II for a certain module/test.

Now on my 97 XD when I got it my Scangauge II worked, but then it would just power off. Then the iCarsoft LR2 worked, but I got that message often. Then the OBD2 port wouldn't connect to anything..... I checked my alternator and it was low at 12.2-12.5v output. Got that swapped out and I verified pin 16 had voltage (13.9v actually) so that wasn't it. Then I finally got around to inspecting the ECU and yep it looks more like something off the RMS Titanic vs an ECU.. I slapped in a GEMS ECU from a P38 (wrong evap system) and it communicated in seconds and I could read the faults. I cleared them and verified they were gone which proved all my wiring, port, and voltages were fine. It is sadly an ECU issue and with it being a 9/96 build date (with a Special Vehicle plate of 12/96) it's the lovely one year Non Advanced Evap config which is much harder to find. I have a friend picking me up a unit this Friday and fingers crossed my 97 XD will finally run normally and I can then communicate to the ECU and get the proper voltages.

I know on newer vehicles whenever they connect an OBD2 scan tool to the car they place a battery charger onto it. If the voltage drops below 12.5v they can corrupt the software if it locks up causing the car to need new ECU's....