Looking for OBD-II App and hardware

[kevineugenius]

Didn't find a single thread using the term OBD so hopefully this isn't a dupe; I know I'm new here and all forum search tools work a little differently. Anyway, found a couple on ebay that look suspiciously uninformative about what exactly you are purchasing, there's a couple on Amazon that look promising but I figured: why not find out if someone has actually bought one of these things?

Basically I want a bluetooth OBD ii (OBD2) interface, which is what car scanners hook into, that I can link to my phone and use an app to track gas mileage, clear/diagnose errors, and it would be a sweet bonus to get realtime HP and torque stats and that sort of thing as well.

 

[bberryhill0]

Torque:
http://market.android.com/details?id=org.prowl.torquefree

I haven't tried it but there are many comments saying that the $30 adapters on eBay work fine.

 

[sitlet]

There is a whole thread about it here:

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/13211-obdii-apps-do-they-exist.html

I would HIGHLY recommend Torque, great program. As far as the adapter, any will work. I would suggest NOT getting one from ebay, as they do not offer a return policy. I would recommend DealExtreme. It will take about 3 weeks to get here from Hong Kong, but its well worth the wait.

Here is the one I got:

$26.03 - OBDII Bluetooth Car Diagnostic Cable - Black + Blue + Orange (DC 12V) - OBD/OBD2 Car Diag. Tools

 

[kevineugenius]

There is a whole thread about it here:

http://androidforums.com/android-applications/13211-obdii-apps-do-they-exist.html

I would HIGHLY recommend Torque, great program. As far as the adapter, any will work. I would suggest NOT getting one from ebay, as they do not offer a return policy. I would recommend DealExtreme. It will take about 3 weeks to get here from Hong Kong, but its well worth the wait.

Here is the one I got:

$26.03 - OBDII Bluetooth Car Diagnostic Cable - Black + Blue + Orange (DC 12V) - OBD/OBD2 Car Diag. Tools

Interesting... I guess I need to play with the search function and find out exactly what it looks for. I entered "obd" (without quotes) and it brought up nothing, no idea how it could have missed that thread. Thanks for the link.

 

[sitlet]

For future reference, its MUCH better to search google with this site, you will get many more relevant results. I.E. type this into google: obd site:androidforums.com

 

[bberryhill0]

Unfortunately DealExtreme uses PayPal. I keep trying but PayPal keeps sucking. Is there anyone who sells this unit who has their own merchant account? Any real business can take credit cards on their own.

 

[sitlet]

You can find the same unit on ebay, just search "obd bluetooth". Make sure you get the one with the blue and orange sticker, not the one with the blue/white sticker. Just be aware, it will probably take about a month to get it from ebay, and those sellers dont usually have return policies.

 

[IzelTokatl]

What is the difference between the blue/orange, and Blue/white?

the blue white is more expensive, but I dont see spec differences, especially since they dont show fully related specs.


Blue/White:
software ver: 1.4 W36
Baud rate: 9600 or 38400
Operating voltage: 12V, internal protection from short circuits/over voltages
Nominal idle current: 45 mA
Multi-Protocol Support:
SAE J1850 PWM (41.6 kbaud)
SAE J1850 VPW (10.4 kbaud)
ISO 9141-2 (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud)
ISO 14230-4 KWP (5 baud init, 10.4 kbaud)
ISO 14230-4 KWP (fast init, 10.4 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit ID, 500 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit ID, 500 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (11 bit ID, 250 kbaud)
ISO 15765-4 CAN (29 bit ID, 250 kbaud)

Orange/Blue:
Software v1.4
* Support OBD-II protocols as follows:
* ISO15765-4 (CAN)
* ISO14230-4 (KWP2000)
* ISO9141-2
* J1850 VPW
* J1850 PWM

 

[sitlet]

From what I read, the blue/white one has an older obd version on it, while the blue/orange one has a more updated one. I got the blue/orange and it works on every car ive tried it on.

 

[w_bovine]

From what I read, the blue/white one has an older obd version on it, while the blue/orange one has a more updated one. I got the blue/orange and it works on every car ive tried it on.

This information es muy bueno. Thanks for elaborating.

 

[OstrichSaK]

After reading this thread I ordered one of the orange labeled ones from eBay and am supposedly getting a free surprise with my shipment too! I was looking at a name brand solution that was about $100 so I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread trying to research the other one.

 

[Techno.Digerat]

After reading this thread I ordered one of the orange labeled ones from eBay and am supposedly getting a free surprise with my shipment too! I was looking at a name brand solution that was about $100 so I'm glad I stumbled upon this thread trying to research the other one.

Did you get a working unit and did everything work the way you wanted it? I ordered one from dealextreme, just like to know your experience so far. Thanks...

 

[takeshi]

I received the ELM327 device that sitlet posted a link to from Dealextreme and it works very well with Torque in my experience so far. Placing the displays in Torque can be maddening if you're OCD though.

 

[sitlet]

Placing the displays in Torque can be maddening if you're OCD though.

HAHA i have the exact same problem...

 

[OstrichSaK]

Did you get a working unit and did everything work the way you wanted it? I ordered one from dealextreme, just like to know your experience so far. Thanks...

Seems to work alright. I don't have a boost display which is the 2nd most important one I needed for logging purpose. I also need a knock sensor read but I think those two things aren't readily available via the OBDII port. I read somewhere you can write your own codes for various sensors that aren't showing up but I haven't dug any further into that. I should though because w/o boost or knock it's more of a novelty than a useful tool for me.

 

[Darkseas]

I don't have a boost display which is the 2nd most important one I needed for logging purpose.

If you have a VW/Audi product, they've added code a release or two ago to make boost work. If you haven't tried it lately, give it another try. I've installed a boost gauge in my A4, so I'm not motivated to see if I can get boost to work on Torque.

w/o boost or knock it's more of a novelty than a useful tool for me.

I got it mostly to read DTCs, and, as I seem to have none, I also find it to be a novelty, but an interesting one.

 

[OstrichSaK]

If you have a VW/Audi product, they've added code a release or two ago to make boost work. If you haven't tried it lately, give it another try. I've installed a boost gauge in my A4, so I'm not motivated to see if I can get boost to work on Torque.

I got it mostly to read DTCs, and, as I seem to have none, I also find it to be a novelty, but an interesting one.

Yeah, it's a 2007 A4 2.0T. So you mean make sure that Torque is up to date and then try it? I'm not 100% sure but I think when I was using it the other day (had a battery issue so I was tracking voltage) I didn't notice the boost gauge was working. I still have that as one of my six gauges but I wasn't specifically looking at it. I'll have to give it another try. Then all I need is knock readout and I'll order up my methanol injection kit.

DTC's?

 

[Darkseas]

Yeah, it's a 2007 A4 2.0T. So you mean make sure that Torque is up to date and then try it? I'm not 100% sure but I think when I was using it the other day (had a battery issue so I was tracking voltage) I didn't notice the boost gauge was working.

The changelog for Version 1.4.32 says : Boost fix for VAG/AUDI/VW vehicles (beta).

Since Torque is now up to 1.4.47, if it doesn't work for you, that's not a good sign, except that the version updates come fast and furious.

I know this isn't a good place for talking cars, but you really, really want a normal boost/vacuum gauge. I have one in the center vent and love it! If you want more info on that, write me privately.

DTC's?

Diagnostic Trouble Codes, also called fault codes, or, in the Audi Service Manual, scan tool codes.

 

[IzelTokatl]

Did you get a working unit and did everything work the way you wanted it? I ordered one from dealextreme, just like to know your experience so far. Thanks...

I pickedup the blue/orange one, works better than I thought. I used it to reset the engine light as it went on after I used seafoam. I guess I gunked up a sensor, but after re-doing another cleaning (same day) it cleaned out. But the sensor didn't go away. This unit I got on ebay let me reset it and check if the code was still valid with Torque.

definitely worth the money!

 

[OstrichSaK]

The changelog for Version 1.4.32 says : Boost fix for VAG/AUDI/VW vehicles (beta).

Since Torque is now up to 1.4.47, if it doesn't work for you, that's not a good sign, except that the version updates come fast and furious.

For some reason when I access the version on my phone (have to go to Application Manager since the version I have doesn't even have a help or about option in the menu) is only 1.1.29 so it appears as though there have been MANY updates over what I currently have. Wonder why I haven't received any update notifications? I may go to the developer's website to look for the latest version since the Market has failed me this time 'round. Wish me luck that the new version gives me boost!

Edit: I just realized you're talking about the paid version and I'm still testing the free version. I'm not willing to pay for this until I can get both boost and knock sensors to display.

I know this isn't a good place for talking cars, but you really, really want a normal boost/vacuum gauge. I have one in the center vent and love it! If you want more info on that, write me privately.

I couldn't agree more. In fact, that was the first thing I installed in this car (and just about every boosted vehicle I've owned) before I even did a single mod. I've been a bit of a car buff for a couple decades now and have owned some pretty highly modified vehicles so this ain't my first rodeo.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes, also called fault codes, or, in the Audi Service Manual, scan tool codes.

Ah, I see. I wasn't sure what it was you were trying to abbreviate there.

 

[AlkiDweller]

Has anyone used the Torque application in the Market... er... Google Play mad, for monitoring automobile engine functions and seeing fault codes?

It requires a bluetooth adapter but they're not too expensive. The BAFX ELM327 is only about $20 on Amazon and plugs into the diagnostics port on most modern vehicles. And the pay version of Torque is about $5.

EDIT: My post got moved from the EVO 4G forum, so I didn't know this post existed.