Recommend a really good ODBII scanner : Update

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JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
The check engine light on my wife's car (2011 Mustang GT) came on and I want to get a good ODBII scanner to diagnose it before going to the dealership. Can anyone recommend a really nice scanner? I was looking at this one.

10/3/13 - Update: The ODBII reader boomhower recommend came in, and it is AWESOME! Nice little device and did exactly what I needed. Super simple to set up.

Anyway, the error code is P0302, cylinder 2 misfire. Sounds like it could be just a bad plug.
 
Last edited:
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,700
7,291
136
1. Bluetooth OBD-II Scanner: $23.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/
2. Torque Pro app for Android: $4.95 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque
3. Your choice of Android device

Requires Android version 1.5 or newer (version 4.3 is the latest), so pretty much anything will work as long as it has Bluetooth on it (tablet or phone). I specifically bought a low-end tablet for using it with Torque Pro on my cars; the information it gives is a lot more descriptive than a plain-old OBD-II scanner.
 
mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
Kaido said:
1. Bluetooth OBD-II Scanner: $23.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/
2. Torque Pro app for Android: $4.95 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque
3. Your choice of Android device

Requires Android version 1.5 or newer (version 4.3 is the latest), so pretty much anything will work as long as it has Bluetooth on it (tablet or phone). I specifically bought a low-end tablet for using it with Torque Pro on my cars; the information it gives is a lot more descriptive than a plain-old OBD-II scanner.
Click to expand...

Can't really beat $24 for that. Anybody know any good OBDII apps for iOS?
 
Kaido

Kaido

Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
Feb 14, 2004
51,700
7,291
136
mmntech said:
Can't really beat $24 for that. Anybody know any good OBDII apps for iOS?
Click to expand...

Last I had read, these are incompatible with the iPhone, which is why I had to buy an Android tablet with Bluetooth. Fortunately these are fairly inexpensive (compared to a real OBD-II scanner or an iPad tablet) and you can find used ones with Android version 1.5 or newer for even cheaper pretty easily (Craigslist, eBay, Amazon, etc.). But still, the whole package was cheaper than buying a dedicated hardware OBD-II scanner with limited functionality. If you are willing (and able, depending on your iOS version) to jailbreak, you can do it. Here's an Amazon review note:

I bought this knowing that it was incompatible with a stock iPhone. Apple restricts bluetooth connections to iOS devices through their developer program, meaning that most non-standard bluetooth accessories won't pair well with it. Because of this, most OBD apps on the app store are only compatible with WiFi scanners rather then bluetooth ones.

After some quick Googling, I came across a jailbroken app (on Cydia) called RoqyBT (~ $5) and the RoqyOBD (free) module for OBD connections over bluetooth. Roqy has a custom bluetooth stack that can talk with most bluetooth OBD scanners (including the ELM 327) and it sets up a server on your iOS device to route connections between the bluetooth adapter, meaning that most apps will be able to recognize the device, even though the iPhone refuses to talk with it natively.

Steps to set this up:
1. JAILBREAK your phone - This will (technically) void your warranty and could brick your phone. Generally, tools provided by the iPhone Dev Team are relatively safe, but back up your data and learn how to use DFU mode.
2. Open cydia and allow it to update. Search for "roqy" and install "roqybt" and "roqyobd." The free version won't setup a server for your OBD device, so you'll have to plunk down ~ $5 to purchase it.
3. Connect the ELM 327 to your car.
4. Open RoqyBT and turn on bluetooth through the app. The app should auto-discover your device, just click on it.
5. Roqy should then show the IP address and port to connect to. Record the port. The IP address should always be 127.0.0.1
6. Download an app from the app store. Personally, I use DashCommander. It's a bit pricey, but an excellent app overall.
7. Open DashCommander/etc and set up the connection using the IP address/port you recorded earlier.

As far as this adapter is concerned, it works EXCELLENTLY! I'm so glad to have found this product and Roqy; they work wonderfully together.
Click to expand...
 
R

railer

Golden Member
Apr 15, 2000
1,552
69
91
1) They're sopping you 25 bucks for the case for the OP's linked scanner. I've had good luck with the Actron scanners, and would probably get the linked one (without case :D) were I in the market.
2) Torque Pro doesn't do ABS codes, AFAIK. Need a real scanner for that.
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,152
635
126
It should be able to read raw values for manufacturer specific codes but not necessarily the meaning of those codes.
 
Vetterin

Vetterin

Senior member
Aug 31, 2004
973
0
71
Why not just run it to AutoZone and let them scan it for free first? No sense in spending that much money to find out your gas cap isn't tightened.
 
IGemini

IGemini

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 2010
2,472
2
81
Kaido said:
1. Bluetooth OBD-II Scanner: $23.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/
2. Torque Pro app for Android: $4.95 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque
3. Your choice of Android device

Requires Android version 1.5 or newer (version 4.3 is the latest), so pretty much anything will work as long as it has Bluetooth on it (tablet or phone). I specifically bought a low-end tablet for using it with Torque Pro on my cars; the information it gives is a lot more descriptive than a plain-old OBD-II scanner.
Click to expand...

Gotta admit, that's not bad at all for the total price. Even if Torque Pro can't do ABS codes now it's a good start (and might get the functionality down the road), and could always go to a place like AutoZone or Advance for a proper read. I've never paid for an app yet but might go for something like that.
 
tortillasoup

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
If you live in california, you can't go to autozone and have them check your CEL for free. Instead you have to buy a scanner in order to read the code. California even went as far to say that if you buy a scanner in california, you cannot return it even if you don't open the package.
 
R

railer

Golden Member
Apr 15, 2000
1,552
69
91
tortillasoup said:
If you live in california, you can't go to autozone and have them check your CEL for free. Instead you have to buy a scanner in order to read the code. California even went as far to say that if you buy a scanner in california, you cannot return it even if you don't open the package.
Click to expand...

How is that even possible? What is the reason for that?
 
tortillasoup

tortillasoup

Golden Member
Jan 12, 2011
1,977
4
81
I believe the reason for this is that "in the interests of the consumer" California doesn't want people throwing parts at their cars and to instead properly diagnose the problem. California is the state of good intentions but bad consequences. I can't even go to a smog shop and have the guy glance at the car and tell me if the car would pass smog but instead he has to write up an invoice to do that, therefore charging me. They're actually quite strict in their enforcement and it's completely ridiculous!
 
NutBucket

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,152
635
126
Huh? What are you talking about? Every smog shop I've been to has been happy to do a free pre-test. No paperwork, no money involved. You're doing it wrong.

But I agree 100% with your other comments.
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
tortillasoup said:
If you live in california, you can't go to autozone and have them check your CEL for free. Instead you have to buy a scanner in order to read the code. California even went as far to say that if you buy a scanner in california, you cannot return it even if you don't open the package.
Click to expand...

Wow, that's horrible! Luckily I don't live in California. :)
 
J

JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Update: The ODBII reader boomhower recommend came in, and it is AWESOME! Nice little device and did exactly what I needed. Super simple to set up.

Anyway, the error code is P0302, "cylinder 2 misfire." Sounds like it could be just a bad plug.
 
boomhower

boomhower

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2007
7,228
19
81
JackBurton said:
Update: The ODBII reader boomhower recommend came in, and it is AWESOME! Nice little device and did exactly what I needed. Super simple to set up.

Anyway, the error code is P0302, "cylinder 2 misfire." Sounds like it could be just a bad plug.
Click to expand...

Nice isn't it. I've gotten a ton of use out of mine and several different cars. From a usage/$ it's hard to beat.
 
monkeydelmagico

monkeydelmagico

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2011
3,961
145
106
NutBucket said:
Try swapping coil packs before you buy anything.
Click to expand...

Great advice! :thumbsup: Easy to do. Gonna need a 7mm socket (why metric on FORD I dunno). Good time to take a can of compressed air and blow out the inevitable dust and crap that somehow finds its way past the coil boot too.
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
81
misfire on 2, most likely a bad coil pack or plug.

All easy work. Plug might cost $5-12 pending on what you have. Coil pack might run you like $150. Obviously get the dealer to do it. If they do warranty the coil pack, they might try to sell you all 8 plugs to a tune of over $100.
 
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