Author Topic: OBD dongle etc (Read 1682 times)

John A · « **on:** March 04, 2018, 09:39:35 AM »

Thinking of getting one to see what the car is doing and there seems to be a couple of options. Bluetooth to a phone app for a few pounds, or with a configurable screen for nearer a hundred pounds. What's the pros and cons of each, and has anyone got a link to the one they have?

TVMIA

Jocko · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2018, 10:06:20 AM »

I bought a dongle to link with my laptop, but had no success. I ended up buying a ScanGauge E.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ScanGaugeE-Ultra-Compact-Automotive-Computer/dp/B004SK5I46/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1520157936&sr=8-2&keywords=scangauge

d2d4j · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2018, 10:48:54 AM »

Hi

We have 2 dongles

1 is Bluetooth to xtrons headunit (this was supplied by xtrons but is just China odb2 elm Bluetooth)

1 is AA cargenie which connects to the AA

Both work simultaneously but I don’t use/look at xtrons too much. It uses an payable app but there’s a free version. Sorry I cannot remember the name of the app but it is the pro version

AA cargenie contacts me if there is anything wrong and more importantly, as I can travel over 400 miles in a day, usually alone if it detects sudden deceleration etc it reports to AA who are meant to ring me in case I have had a serious accident. No reply from me and they send an AA van out to check. Hopefully anyway, that’s how I think it is meant to work

Many thanks

John

sparky Paul · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:25:37 PM »

The generic EOBD/OBD2 readers and dongles are very cheap, they can be useful but they only connect to the engine ECU.

If you want something that will read all the systems, you need the dedicated diagnostic tool for the car - in this case, Honda HDS or one of the Chinese clones.

Jocko · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2018, 02:30:09 PM »

Quote from: sparky Paul on March 04, 2018, 02:25:37 PM

If you want something that will read all the systems, you need the dedicated diagnostic tool for the car - in this case, Honda HDS or one of the Chinese clones.

They are necessary for fault finding, but if you just want something to give fuel consumption, temperatures, manifold pressure and the like, then the OBD II is the way to go.

sparky Paul · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2018, 07:25:49 PM »

Quote from: Jocko on March 04, 2018, 02:30:09 PM

Quote from: sparky Paul on March 04, 2018, 02:25:37 PM
If you want something that will read all the systems, you need the dedicated diagnostic tool for the car - in this case, Honda HDS or one of the Chinese clones.
They are necessary for fault finding, but if you just want something to give fuel consumption, temperatures, manifold pressure and the like, then the OBD II is the way to go.

Generic OBD2 readers/dongles can also be very useful for engine faults, and cheap Bluetooth ones can be purchased on that well known auction site for a few pounds. Use with a smart phone and an app like Torque, or one of the many other OBD apps.

In addition to the live sensor data, you can also read engine management codes and reset the EML if a fault puts it on.

However, if you need access to other systems, such as ABS, SRS, airbags, security systems, auto gearbox, etc., you need the Honda tool.