OdbII reader

az_max

az_max

1
Apr 22, 2005
7,463
2
For only the second time in my car's 13 year life, the Service Engine Soon light came on. The same day I put the repaired radio back in...

But my question is what is Discoweb's general consensus on ODBII readers, especially the Bluetooth models? I figured Torque Pro and a tablet would be the best versus a dedicated scanner.

VatoZone read the code, and it's showing Crank Position Sensor. I'll let someone with a lift change it as I can't even get my floor jack under the car.
 
Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,763
564
Seattle
I don't have a smartphone so I can't use any of the Bluetooth apps. I have a TurboGauge, which is a variation on the ScanGauge theme - dedicated scanner. It works great, although I think I would get more value from it if I learned how to use all its capabilities. The range of live data it can display is extensive, and I've run into 2 problems related to this:

1. I don't know what all the readings are. The one I really care about is ECT (engine coolant temperature). I don't know what LOD, CLP, etc. are, which is why I should read the manual.
2. I don't know how to interpret the data. I know the range within which I want to keep my coolant temperature, but I can't look at the numbers on the other readings and evaluate whether they are good or bad.

If you already have the tech to use the apps that are available, going that route is probably more cost effective. Even a cheapo scanner is probably more than the plug/app combo.
 
K-rover

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,174
67
Raleigh, NC
Torque pro and the OBDII dongle from Amazon. It will either be bluetooth/ or Wifi depending if you have Android or Apple. Ive been using that setup for 2yrs and it works great. I have it setup to show voltage,coolant temp,GPS mph. on a suction cup window mount.
 
fishEH

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
K-rover said:
Torque pro and the OBDII dongle from Amazon. It will either be bluetooth/ or Wifi depending if you have Android or Apple. Ive been using that setup for 2yrs and it works great. I have it setup to show voltage,coolant temp,GPS mph. on a suction cup window mount.
Click to expand...

X3
Bluetooth dongle(that's just fun to say!) and the Torque Pro app. Read and clear codes and monitor everything your vehicle's ECU is capable of monitoring. It stays in my D1 and I occasionally fire up the app to check coolant temperature. Going on a vacation in the family truckster? Plug it in and forget about it in case you need it. I'm honestly surprised devices like the ScanGuage still exist.
 
kennith

kennith

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
10,891
172
North Carolina
The ScanGuage exists because it's the cat's fucking ass. :D

I now put one in every car I decide to keep for a while.

Cheers,

Kennith
 
1920SF

1920SF

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2007
2,705
1
NoVA
fishEH said:
X3
Bluetooth dongle(that's just fun to say!) and the Torque Pro app. Read and clear codes and monitor everything your vehicle's ECU is capable of monitoring. It stays in my D1 and I occasionally fire up the app to check coolant temperature. Going on a vacation in the family truckster? Plug it in and forget about it in case you need it. I'm honestly surprised devices like the ScanGuage still exist.
Click to expand...
x4

Tough to beat a $15 dongle from Amazon and the app on your phone. I have a dedicated SG II in my Disco, but had this for my LR3 till I got the IID tool, still use it for my wife's Tacoma and increasingly it has come in handy for non-mechanically inclined coworkers who are astounded that a layperson can avoid the $100+ dealership diagnosis for just a few bucks.
 
Maximumwarp

Maximumwarp

Well-known member
Mar 22, 2015
836
26
Fairburn GA
K-rover said:
Torque pro and the OBDII dongle from Amazon. It will either be bluetooth/ or Wifi depending if you have Android or Apple. Ive been using that setup for 2yrs and it works great. I have it setup to show voltage,coolant temp,GPS mph. on a suction cup window mount.
Click to expand...

How did I not know about this? Sounds much easier than digging out/plugging in my scanner. Any particular brand? And is Torque Pro called anything else on the App Store (iPhone)? I see several OBD-2 apps, but not one by that name.
 
fishEH

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
kennith said:
The ScanGuage exists because it's the cat's fucking ass. :D

I now put one in every car I decide to keep for a while.

Cheers,

Kennith
Click to expand...

I know it WAS the cat's ass, kinda like LaserDisc was for a while too.
What does the ScanGuage do that a Bluetooth and app won't do?
 
K-rover

K-rover

Well-known member
Jan 15, 2010
2,174
67
Raleigh, NC
1920SF said:
It appears mine went up in price to a whopping $22: http://www.amazon.com/ieGeek®-Wirel...sim_263_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0NAAF10T596ENMYZTTCS

I use enginelink, but as long as it reads/clears the codes I think the interface is really personal preference.
Click to expand...


The one I have looks like this

71FuQgCcNVL._SL1000_.jpg
 
1920SF

1920SF

Well-known member
Jan 6, 2007
2,705
1
NoVA
fishEH said:
I know it WAS the cat's ass, kinda like LaserDisc was for a while too.
What does the ScanGuage do that a Bluetooth and app won't do?
Click to expand...

The upside to the SG that I've noticed is that it is 12v switched vice always drawing like the wifi dongle, and it's lower profile so you won't kick it out inadvertantly and such.
 
Buddy

Buddy

Well-known member
Nov 6, 2006
2,839
1
Central NC
Maximumwarp said:
That's the Google store for Android, can't get at that from my iPhone. I do have a small Android tablet that I don't really use, maybe this would be a reason to bust it back out.
Click to expand...

I would use the Android tablet if you have one. For the iPhone/Ipad you could use Dash Commander but in typical Apple fassion it's more expensive. You will also need to make sure you buy the Wi-Fi version of the adapter because Apple won't support the Bluetooth version.

Been using the Torque app for years now. I won a wi-fi adaptor almost 2 years ago but still have not spent the $ on the Dash Commander app.
 
kennith

kennith

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
10,891
172
North Carolina
fishEH said:
I know it WAS the cat's ass, kinda like LaserDisc was for a while too.
What does the ScanGuage do that a Bluetooth and app won't do?
Click to expand...

Always be there when you need it, mount nicely in a vehicle, and feature real buttons, a nice interface, and quality construction.

Drop everything into apps, and we won't have anything to hold.

Cheers,

Kennith
 
fishEH

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,929
203
Lake Villa, IL
kennith said:
Always be there when you need it, mount nicely in a vehicle, and feature real buttons, a nice interface, and quality construction.

Drop everything into apps, and we won't have anything to hold.

Cheers,

Kennith
Click to expand...

I have an old Android phone I may dedicate for a OBDII monitor using the app. Then it'd be dedicated. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom