MrFixit
Well-Known Member
This thread has become cluttered
Click HERE for simplified How-To instructions
Click HERE for simplified How-To instructions
I would like to report a significant breakthrough with the Autel AP200 diagnostic scanner...
Background:
Many of us have had a desire to be able to obtain the Clarity's HV battery capacity ourselves (without the need to go to the dealer and beg / pay them for a readout). The initial HV battery capacity of the Clarity is 55 amp-hours. Some degradation over time is expected, but if the capacity drops below 2/3 of the initial value (or 36.6 amp-hours) then warranty service can apply.
Quite some time ago, @AlAl informed us that the 'professional' versions of the Autel diagnostic scan tools are capable of reading out the Electric Powertrain data including Battery Capacity and many other parameters (reference this thread: Battery Capacity Test Results ). The problem is that this diagnostic device costs more than $500 which is enough to dissuade most of us from purchasing one.
Autel also offers a consumer grade product that connects to a cell phone via Bluetooth (the AP200). This device is much more affordable (around $70). Several of us purchased these AP200 devices, and I was optimistic that it would enable us to read the Electric Powertrain parameters since Autel clearly had the knowledge base to do so. Unfortunately, the AP200 failed to read these values.
Pathway to a Solution:
I started a dialog with Autel technical support at least a year ago. They promised that a software upgrade for Honda vehicles could address this issue. One software upgrade eventually came out, but it did nothing to address this problem. Autel has not been very proactive in issuing software updates, and it had been a very long time without any new updates. I continued to query them periodically, but they were always non-committal as to when an update may come along, or whether it would fix this problem.
About a month ago, I sent another message complaining about this situation and the lack of an update to address this problem with the Clarity. This time I was very fortunate, and got the attention of their engineering team. Their engineering contact was quite interested in fixing this problem, and he promised me a beta version that I could then evaluate for them. After a week or-two, he did indeed produce a beta version of the Honda code, and I was able to test it out. Much to my delight, I found that the Electric Powertrain portion of the Live Data was now functional! This is a major breakthrough, and now it is well within the reach of most any Clarity owner to obtain this important warranty and performance measure without being at the mercy of the dealer.
Expectation Going Forward:
The currently deployed Honda code for the AP200 is Version 2.01. The beta version that fixed the Electric Powertrain data is currently designated 2.01.54. This beta code for the Clarity will be incorporated into the next version released by Autel for the AP200. A new version is expected to be released in 1Q 2021.
Although this code is not generally available at this time, this functionality has now been proven, and I am confident that we will have a path forward in early 2021. I felt it would be good to provide this information to the forum now because I know there is wide interest.
One other thing to mention - The AP200 is a simple device that has now been proven to work with the Clarity. In the meantime, Autel has introduced 3 more [very similar] products. These are the AP200C, AP200H, AP200M. To me, this is just an over-complication. You can find all 4 of these versions on Amazon, ranging in price from $50 to $130. I suspect that any of these devices will be capable of reading Clarity's Electric Powertrain data, but I am trying to confirm this with Autel engineering. The differences have to do with how many vehicle brands are covered, and some of the more advanced diagnostic features. All I can say for sure right now is that the original AP200 will work. I will report back if I learn more about compatibility.
The Honda V2.01.54 beta code was pushed to my specific serial number device for testing, and is not available for download until it is rolled into the next release (hopefully 1Q 2021).
The AP200 can read an amazing amount of information from approximately 22 modules within the Clarity. Since the Electric Powertrain (containing the HV battery capacity) was of primary interest, I have attached the printout of this data so you can peruse it, and see what it contains. While testing, I also collected data from all of the other available subsystems, and if there is broader interest, I can attach all of the other data / printouts as desired.
Please use this thread to collaborate on anything having to do with the Autel AP200 device(s). I will, of course, provide an update when I learn that the new software becomes available to all.
