Live, as it happens (witchcraft type stuff).

[Micrashed]

These:

 

Seem cheap. Coupled with one of these:

 

 

Mean that I can have real time data streaming from the cars brain in a jar. Has anyone tried this and what app did they use?

Its all black magic to me, but I fancy giving it a try....

[derskine]

Sorry to sound ridiculous but what is it?

(Not the 3410)

[beko1987]

I doubt you'll get anywhere with a 3210!

 

cheap android phone would probably cost less than the dongle thing

 

Never tried it though, not had a car with an OBD port for a while, and amys car bores me too much to care with one!

[mrbenn]

I've got one of these, great gadget.

 

I use it with an app called "Torque" - the free version (from the Play store). Think the paid one adds timed 0-60 and a few other bits but the free one is fine for me.

 

I've got the app set up with various dials and graphs so, if I need to, I can drive the car then see what was going on throughout.

 

The fact that it can read current and pending fault codes makes it a very useful tool.

[mat_the_cat]

/\ Likewise. Around £5 seemed amazingly cheap for the dongle, but it works perfectly with Torque on an Android phone. I can't leave it plugged in AND close the fusebox lid, but I don't need to view real time data all the time, only to bore people rigid by saying "Look, how cool is this?"

[the judge]

You can read basic fault codes etc. I want an app that does airbags and abs too. Even if it is 20-30 quid. so useful to have in the glovebox

[Micrashed]

I think I'll luz out the fiver then and download Torque (Ive a Samsung S3 mini) and see what info it can give me on the C8.

 

It wont work with the MicraShed as its too old and not OBD2 and it'll just tell me "what did you buy this pile of shit for" if I try plugging it into the Mav.

[Junkman]

來自中國的新奇閃亮的狗屎

[Micrashed]

來自中國的新奇閃亮的狗屎

Google says:

Novelty shining from China's dog feces

 

Babelfish says

Sorry we are unable to translate your request.

 

ITM says

Novelty comes from the Abbasids Shem the shit

 

Finally ITM Says (using Traditional Chinese)

From China the new shiny shit

 

[Junkman]

PMSL!

[mrbenn]

I think I'll luz out the fiver then and download Torque (Ive a Samsung S3 mini) and see what info it can give me on the C8.

I've got the same phone, works well with it.

[dome]

I've used it on a few cars with mixed results-it doesn't always bring up fault codes on newer stuff-I was driving around in my Dads 57 plate fester with the EML light on and Torque picked up nothing. Saying that neither did a "proper" plug in code reader. Probably says more about modern Fords.

[Pillock]

I've got the same phone, works well with it.

 

With that exact adaptor? I'm just about to shell out a MASSIVE six quid and wanted to make sure it wasn't just a translucent blue box full of nothing.

[saucedoctor]

I can haz this one - £11.88 from eGay. It came with a disc of hooky apps, some of which actually work. ScanXL is my weapon of choice. It functions well, and generates very detailed reports. You can select what to scan for as well.

 

There's an app called DashCommand for the CrApple SPACKERPhone, which isn't too dear, and it's not bad, but nowhere near as detailed as ScanXL.

 

There's another one called TorquePro for Android, but it's utter shit.

 

I had a Bluetooth EOBD dongle before, but it was fucking hopeless. Couldn't stream live data fast enough (due to the limitations of the technology in v1.2 form which is about 700kbits), and kept losing the connection altogether. Maybe the Bluetooth v4.0 ones are better, but WiFi FTW IMHO.

The dongle will broadcast a WiFi SSID, typically "WIFI_OBD". IP address is usually 192.168.0.10, port 35000. You might need to use a static IP on your computer if you're using XP.

 

EDITED TO ADD: I used this on a 2012 CLS 3 litre diseasel, and it brought up a duff oxygen sensor. Off to the dealer it goes!

[twosmoke300]

Oxy sensors on diesels now , bloody germans.

no need

[saucedoctor]

Some oxygen sensor output voltage readings from my mate's S Type. The other 2 windows are reading 0 because I didn't pick (from the drop down list) anything for them to measure. It's all the usual stuff: Manifold absolute pressure, RPM, coolant temperature, fuel trim, etc etc.

[fordperv]

I have a bluetooth obdii reader that I got given as a stocking filler even though I don't have a care new enough to use, I have used it many times on mates and family's cars with great results, I use the torque app

[Pillock]

Will Torque log trip distance?

[mrbenn]

With that exact adaptor? I'm just about to shell out a MASSIVE six quid and wanted to make sure it wasn't just a translucent blue box full of nothing.

 

Yes

 

Will Torque log trip distance?

 

Yes - not used this feature myself but it is on the app.

[fiatdaft]

I also have a wifi one,very useful indeed.

[Pillock]

Oh man, now I've got to choose between WiFi and Bluetooth. I know which one is technically better but it's ANOTHER SIX QUID. Bank-breaking stuff. I think I can set my phone up to do certain stuff when it finds a WiFi network though.

 

More stupid questions - does the wifi only appear when the car is running? Can I leave the dongle in all the time or will it drain the battery? I reckon as well as looking flash, this could be the answer to me having to log every trip I make in the car if it can do distances too.

[Dave_Q]

Most cars only supply 12v to the diagnostic socket when the ignition is on, so shouldn't drain the battery.

On some cars the socket is under a cover or something which won't close when the adaptor is in, so that's worth thinking about too.

[saucedoctor]

^ dunno about that, chief. On all the cars I've used the dongle on so far it powers up, even without the key in.Could just be co-incidence, though. Of course, the diagnostics can't run until the key is in the position before engine crank.

 

To answer Pillock's question, the WiFi SSID starts broadcasting as soon as the device receives power, or very shortly thereafter. Note that the software connection will usually fail if the ECU isn't talking, so again you need the key in the correct position.

 

(pics) WiFi up, keys out. Dunno what the power drain is, but it can't be anything much. I noticed, though, that the device does get quite warm in use, so maybe leaving it plugged in might not do it a whole lot of good.

[mercedade]

I used the blootooof version and although it can be temperamental to connect, once it's in it's great. I use the ScanMaster lite app (which also connects to ABS and gearbox ECUs apparently).

 

Would probably get the Wifi version if buying again (mine is nearly 18 months old).

 

Expect any instructions to be works of utter fiction. The pairing code won't even be right - if it says 1234, try 0000 and vice-versa.

[mat_the_cat]

Mine is the Bluetooth version as shown in the 1st post, and it does power up even with the engine off. I'd expect it to take ages to flatten the car battery, but haven't measured the current drain. (I would do if planning to leave it in though).

[Pillock]

See I need mine as a permanent fixture - not so much as fault codes and stuff but I've been hunting around and it's possible with a few different apps to generate a spreadsheet with mileage figures and MPG, that sort of thing, automatically every time the car is used. Basically like the 600 quid professional vehicle audit devices that hauliers use, but without most of the money. It won't do GPS tracking but on any given day my phone will tell me where I was, I just need to know how many miles my car drove in order that the taxman doesn't bend me over for my fuel card.

 

Fugg it, I'm going to live on the edge and get one anyway. I'm feeling flush.

[beko1987]

Could you not strip the diag plug off the wires, extend them with new wire and solder then rewire the diag plug on and hide it somewhere?

[saucedoctor]

Or

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD-2-II-Extension-Cable-Connector-on-Socket-39-37-16-Pin-Diagnose-Interface-/200977816212?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item2ecb361a94

[beko1987]

Fun factor 2, sensible factor 9...

[saucedoctor]

DashCommand, £6.99 from ShiTunes. Well worth it.

 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/dashcommand-obd-ii-gauge-dashboards/id321293183?mt=8

 

There's another one, called EOBD Facile. It's free, and pretty good. Might be worth a look before you actually spend CASH MONEY on anything else. It might be all you need.