Any advise on OBD tools?

dr.fuzzenstein

Since my CMax has packed it in I have bought an 02 Polo to get me mobile while the Ford is going nowhere.
My question is this:
I am looking for preferably an OBD to USB tool that would work with a laptop and can deal with both Ford and VW and maybe even more types of cars.
Alternatively a sort of universal fault code reader/re-setter that also can do both/all types of cars.
I can't spend more than E100 at the moment, preferably less if possible.
It doesn't have to be fancy, just read and display fault codes and reset them.
Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Kenny Logins

I have one of these. It connects to my (Android) phone. It did come with a CD of software, but I didn't even look at it.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/obdii-bluetooth-car-diagnostic-cable-black-blue-orange-dc-12v-42825

Apps -

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=obd&c=apps

dr.fuzzenstein

Thanks Kenny Logins, only trouble here is the lack of a smartphone on my part.
I don't think her laptop has Bluetooth, so will have to stick with the wired option.

Kenny Logins

They do Wifi and USB versions too.

CiniO

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Thanks Kenny Logins, only trouble here is the lack of a smartphone on my part.
I don't think her laptop has Bluetooth, so will have to stick with the wired option.

You can get ELM327 with USB or RS232 connection as well.
There's plenty of them on ebay.

dr.fuzzenstein

CiniO wrote: »

You can get ELM327 with USB or RS232 connection as well.
There's plenty of them on ebay.

Will try also.
RS232? Wow, it's the 80's!:D

CiniO

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Will try also.
RS232? Wow, it's the 80's!:D

RS232 is actually very good for that or similar purposes.
I still use it from time to time.

L1011

Still use RS-232 to connect to most medical devices. If a portable medical device has a USB connector on it, its probably a built in PL2303 RS232-USB chipset.

Marlow

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Thanks Kenny Logins, only trouble here is the lack of a smartphone on my part.
I don't think her laptop has Bluetooth, so will have to stick with the wired option.

Even if her laptop doesn't have bluetooth, you're probably cheaper off buying the bluetooth obd-dongle and a bluetooth usb-module for the laptop.

At least it's future proof for when/if you buy a smartphone.

Mind you, that generic OBD only will work on petrol cars from around '00 and on (some brands of cars before that) and diesels from '05 and on.

/M

Kenny Logins

Marlow wrote: »

Even if her laptop doesn't have bluetooth, you're probably cheaper off buying the bluetooth obd-dongle and a bluetooth usb-module for the laptop.

At least it's future proof for when/if you buy a smartphone.

Mind you, that generic OBD only will work on petrol cars from around '00 and on (some brands of cars before that) and diesels from '05 and on.

/M

I've used it with my '00 Golf Tdi.

CiniO

Marlow wrote: »

Mind you, that generic OBD only will work on petrol cars from around '00 and on (some brands of cars before that) and diesels from '05 and on.

AFAIK manufacturers in EU were forced to install OBD2 in all petrol cars sold from 1st January 2001, and all diesel cars from 1st January 2004.
It doesn't mean obviously, that no cars before had it.

CreepingDeath

Kenny Logins wrote: »

I have one of these. It connects to my (Android) phone. It did come with a CD of software, but I didn't even look at it.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/obdii-bluetooth-car-diagnostic-cable-black-blue-orange-dc-12v-42825

Apps -

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=obd&c=apps

+1

I've the exact same setup, that cheap OBD II connector and I paid for the Torque Pro Android app.
I'd say go for the bluetooth version and get a cheap usb bluetooth dongle for your laptop too.

If you have to drive while logging the data from the OBD II connector, you don't want cables dangling under the steering wheel.

Marlow

CiniO wrote: »

AFAIK manufacturers in EU were forced to install OBD2 in all petrol cars sold from 1st January 2001, and all diesel cars from 1st January 2004.
It doesn't mean obviously, that no cars before had it.

No. The dates I posted were rule of thumb. You can be pretty sure after that, but you can't be certain before that.

/M

cletus

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/super-mini-bluetooth-2-0-adapter-dongle-vista-compatible-11866

I picked this up with the obd bluetooth reader as my laptop has no bluetooth, but phone has

_Kaiser_

Related question if I may

As regulars will know I've a 06 Comfortline Passat and I've on-and-off toyed with the idea of buying one of these - or even the official VCDS one - as I will probably be staying in the VAG stable for a while.

With a car that "old" though is it worth paying the full/genuine price (€300-ish from vcds.ie), or would something like Kenny's setup work fine.. in other words, presumably the newer versions of the software are to support the newer cars and/or features mine doesn't have anyway?

cletus

G with the cheaper option first. If it works, happy days, if not your only a few euro out of pocket

Marlow

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Related question if I may

As regulars will know I've a 06 Comfortline Passat and I've on-and-off toyed with the idea of buying one of these - or even the official VCDS one - as I will probably be staying in the VAG stable for a while.

With a car that "old" though is it worth paying the full/genuine price (€300-ish from vcds.ie), or would something like Kenny's setup work fine.. in other words, presumably the newer versions of the software are to support the newer cars and/or features mine doesn't have anyway?

The OBD dongle will only do engine fault codes. It will not diagnose many of the other modules.

VCDS is a specialised tool and will diagnose every aspect of the car. The only thing that comes near it would be the SuperVAG diagnostic tool - eBay link. It can't do all that VCDS can, but most and you don't need a PC for it.

This is the same with other cars. Like the BMW specific diagnostics will always be more aspects of the car than a simple OBD dongle.

/M

gooner99

Hi. looking for one of these ELM327 tools.I have a golf mk5 and the abs/esp lights are coming on at times. I've read a bit on this problem and it could be anything from a dirty/faulty sensor to something way more serious and expensive. So I want to give a go at finding the fault myself, to see if it's something that I can sort before going to any big expense.

So I'm looking for something pretty cheapish, that will read and clear faults and maybe work on other car makes/models too. I have an iphone,but I've read the bluetooth does not work great with them and the wifi models are more expensive. I could get a laptop/usb model, but I'm running windows 7 and most sellers listings seem to say the software will not work with w7, anyone know if that is the case?

Should I maybe go for one of the devices that are all in one like these?

http://dx.com/p/1-5-lcd-vag-scanner-vag305-code-reader-for-vw-audi-116380?item=3

http://dx.com/p/u281-can-vw-audi-memo-scanner-for-volkswagen-audi-16924?item=23

http://www.amazon.co.uk/CAN-Bus-Trouble-Diagnose-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B001CBBY7O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top


Don't know much about these tools, so open to suggestions....