OBD-II reader?

[Qacer]

I just bought a BAFX Products - PIC18F2480 Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool. But I suppose this is similar to most other scan tools within the same price range.

I'm wondering do the consumer grade scan tools such as the one above only able to detect diagnostic checks for check engine light messages?

Or can these tools also detect other trouble codes such as a power back door switch and/or sensor malfunction?

 

[natto fire]

The reader is depending on getting the signal from your vehicle, and although they all have to meet minimal OBD-II requirements, there is variety between manufacturers in just how much data they make available. It would be up to the manufacturer to tie auxiliary things like power door locks and windows into the CAN bus. Luckily ISO and SAE have some rigorous standards for OBD, and it looks like your reader is equipped to handle them all, it is just a matter of how involved the manufacturer of your car got in exceeding the basic requirements of OBD-II.

 

[Qacer]

Ah, got it. I originally got the reader because I thought the back door on the Sienna that I just got did not work. I wanted to use the reader to get a specific error code, but it turns out that I wasn't pressing the button (remote and inside the car) long enough.

However, I am seeing some cool displays for the Torque app that works with this reader. If nothing else, I'll have another display for additional car stats.

 

[natto fire]

Ah, got it. I originally got the reader because I thought the back door on the Sienna that I just got did not work. I wanted to use the reader to get a specific error code, but it turns out that I wasn't pressing the button (remote and inside the car) long enough.

However, I am seeing some cool displays for the Torque app that works with this reader. If nothing else, I'll have another display for additional car stats.

Yeah, the real time data from the sensors is an awesome feature of the CAN bus. It used to be you needed an expensive stand alone engine management system to replace the normal ECU to get on the fly data. It still depends on the manufacturer to make data available, as it is not officially required by OBD-II, but most provide all the sensor data on the bus.