DashHawk Frequently Asked Questions

Cable Issue
Dodge Vehicle Communications Issues

What vehicles are supported by DashHawk?

Many Ford, Chrysler, and GM vehicles started implementing Controller Area Network (CAN) communications in 2004. As new vehicles are introduced, most are CAN compliant. As a result, you have some vehicles in 2004, many more in 2005-2006, most 2007s, and finally by 2008 ALL vehicles sold in the US must be CAN compliant. A matrix for known supported vehicles is shown in the supported vehicles page.

My vehicle is not on the supported list. Is it CAN compliant?

If you vehicle is not listed in the supported vehicles page, all is not lost! There are many vehicles being added/tested every day and it is hard to capture them all and keep them up to date, so a good way to see if your car has a CAN bus is the following:

Locate the OBDII connector. It is under the dash on the driver’s side of the vehicle, often either under the steering wheel or tucked up next to the driver’s side kick panel.
Look carefully at the plug with a flash light or other bright light source. If pins 6 and 14 have metal pins in them (i.e. are “populated”) then the vehicle has a CAN bus and DashHawk will most likely work with this vehicle.

How big is DashHawk?

It is a remarkably small device for all the power it packs! It is 1 7/8" tall by 4" wide by 3/4" thick. It EASILY fits in a pocket and is smaller than many cellphones!

How many parameters can I view at once?

You have many customizable display options. You can view up to seven parameters on one display (plus fuel system status and display number). There are 11 customizable displays. A list of supported parameters can be found on the parameters page.

Can I change how the data is displayed?

Certainly! Just press the MENU button and then select SetUp->Display->Display X (where X=the number of the display). You can choose 2 function bar graph, 2 function digital, 3 function digital, 4 function digital, 6 function digital or 7 function digital formats.

How do I know what's "Normal" for my car?

Every vehicle is a little different, especially when some are fueled by diesel or have a turbo/supercharger. However, the User Guide has a complete set of descriptions for all the parameters in the Parameter Reference section. Be sure to read it! Also, look for a Firmware download in the near future that will have some display markers for normal ranges of the more common parameters.

Is there any type of data capture?

Absolutely! DashHawk has a built in Data Logger feature that allows you to pick up to 5 parameters to record for up to 3 - 5 minutes (record time is vehicle dependent). You can review the data step by step on the DashHawk or hook it up to your PC (via the included USB cable) and analyze the data with the included PC software.

In addition, the 0-60 MPH and Quarter Mile tests also record addition data that can be reviewed on the PC.

How do I find documentation for all the features?

The documentation can be found in several places:

On the original CD
On this web site's Downloads page
Installed in the Program Files->DashHawk->Documents folder when you installed the PC software
Online HELP is available at any time in the PC Software by hitting F1

How do I use DashHawk to increase my fuel economy?

Fuel economy boils down to driving style and operating the vehicle in the best efficiency range. To do that, here are some general tips:

Use DashHawk to monitor engine Load and engine Absolute Load. Keeping this number low in a cruising configuration will reduce fuel consumption.
Monitor TPS and Speed. It may sound obvious, but keeping a light foot and operating in a speed appropriate for the gearing and torque curve of the vehicle are key factors in reducing fuel consumption.
Change up to a higher gear whenever possible (in a manual car). Keeping the RPMs down without lugging the engine can help efficiency.
Use the MAP parameter in conjunction with TPS, Speed, Load, and MAF to monitor your driving style to minimize fuel consumption.

How accurate is the quarter mile time?

Experience has shown that a variance of 0.1 -0.2 seconds from calibrated dragstrip clocks. This can be greatly affected by wheel spin, crosswinds, etc. but is a useful relative gauge to compare modifications and conditions.

Can I use the quarter mile time to figure horsepower?

You can use the Horsepower Calculator in conjunction with the Quarter Mile measurements to get a good idea of your horsepower at the wheels and crank.

If I previously owned a generation I DashHawk Unit, can I use the same cable for my new generation II unit?

No. Important Notice: Generation II DashHawks must be used with the Gen II cable it is supplied with. DO NOT use a Generation I cable, it will cause severe damage to your DashHawk. Generation I DashHawks are labeled EDGE Products, where Gen II DashHawks feature MSD Ignition labeling.

Generation I cables can be easily identified by the large plastic strain reliefs found on each end of the harness. Gen II cables have eliminated these reliefs to allow greater cable flexibility when mounting DashHawk in confined spaces.

Dodge Vehicle Communications Issues

Some Dodge vehicles, particularly those equipped with Hemi engines, experience the following error codes when using DashHawk:

Parking Assist Warnings
U1011 Diagnostic Trouble Code
Dash Light Warnings/flashing
ABS Warnings

If you are experiencing any of these problems, you can remedy the situation with the following procedure:

Pin 13 must be removed from the OBDII port of the DashHawk cable. You can locate Pin 13 by holding the OBDII with the pins facing towards you. Pin 13 is the fourth pin from the left in the bottom row, as shown in the photo at right.
Break or cut off PIN 13 (circled in Red). A small needle-nose pliers or side cutter works well for this. Be certain to remove the correct pin and use care to avoid damage to adjacent pins. Remove the pin as close to the body of the connector as possible to ensure that it cannot make contact when plugged into the vehicle.
Re-connect DashHawk. If problems persist, please contact customer service at 915/855.7123
Alternately, you can request a pre-modified cable from customer service.

For more information about DashHawk related issues, please visit our DashHawk Tech Forum.

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