Awesome Android car diagnostic app

[Dos_Box]

Now this caught my attention whilst looking online for tyres, and I had no idea this could be done. Do you know those really expensive diagnostic comuters garages have which cost at least £120 just to deliver some error codes and basic diagnostics?

Well, you can get Bluetooth OBD2 adaptors now (OBD2 being the cars diagnostic interface, but you'll need to check you make/model) for less than £15, and couple this with Torque Pro (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en), an Android car diagnostic and testing app, and for less than £20 you have more than enough diagnostic tools to keep garage costs down. Also it has GPS and can log the engine/car performace over a distance as well. I'm very impressed and know what I'm treating myself to in the very near future

 

A Bluetooth OBD2 adaptor

 

 

Torque in real time.

 

Edited March 14, 2012 by Dos_Box

[tbutcher]

that looks pretty cool!

 

i've got a USB version of the tool, cost me just 12 whole pounds from ebay. very useful for diagnosing faults on the car, but this looks to go one better when used with the android software

[glennda]

One of my techs has a similar cable to console into Switches from his Iphone

[Disaster]

This looks ace. I will investigate more!

[DSapseid]

One of my techs has a similar cable to console into Switches from his Iphone

 

What cable is this? can you get a link or make model for me?

 

Cheers

[Theblacksheep]

Say this in a PC mag this week, potential new car has the port so could be very useful, not only through getting error code read outs, but things like engine read turbo pressure, air-temp etc.

 

The port is usually quite accessible under the dash for servicing, so easy to fit most of the time too.

[tbutcher]

having watched the second video fully i'm now very interested by this!

 

you can actually record the journey with map and live video behind it. very useful in case of an accident.

[Dos_Box]

having watched the second video fully i'm now very interested by this!

 

you can actually record the journey with map and live video behind it. very useful in case of an accident.

 

Apparently that is a free plugin called Track Recorder. There is a list of them here: Plugins - Torque OBD2 Wiki

[HaleStorm]

...

[Sirbendy]

I have cables for both my Astra and the VAG, combined with my netbook for things like this..it's seriously handy, especially when looking for spurious errors - set it to log all data, go for a drive, come back, drop it into excel or whatever, and go hunting...

 

OPCOM software plus cable was £15 off the bay (bit iffy, but dead handy). VCDS (Was VAG-COM) is shareware for the VAG/Skoda, and I have another little app that I need to use to first interrogate the dash to get the SKC access code.

 

Beats a dealership hands down.

[broc]

If you have a bit more cash to play with Garmin Mechanic is a similar app but their diagnostic 'dongle' is more expensive.

[AWicher]

Had this for about a year now, its next to useless unless you like knowing our RPM and speed digitally.

[AngryTechnician]

Had this for about a year now, its next to useless unless you like knowing our RPM and speed digitally.

 

*sputter* This has nothing to do with practicalities!

[chazzy2501]

You can get a v1.5 torque compatible bluetooth obd2 reader from ebay. Torque is on the android market for £2.99

 

Readers are around £20.

 

You can get wifi ones for iphones at around £40. + the app.

Edited March 14, 2012 by chazzy2501

[Theblacksheep]

Had this for about a year now, its next to useless unless you like knowing our RPM and speed digitally.

 

I take it you don't have a turbo? or a fault! (where it really could come in handy)

[tbutcher]

Had this for about a year now, its next to useless unless you like knowing our RPM and speed digitally.

 

and stats! everybody loves stats.

 

Edugeek 1/4 mile comp?....

[Theblacksheep]

and stats! everybody loves stats.

 

Edugeek 1/4 mile comp?....

 

[email protected] (my old R5GTT)

[HaleStorm]

[email protected] (some poor gear changes) in my 07 Fiat Bravo Tjet120

[broc]

Years ago I could do 0-60 in under 11 seconds with my Volvo T5R estate.... with a 1-ton caravan on the back

[mac_shinobi]

Will this work with an iPhone 4 on iOS 5 ( latest version ) or does it need to be an android device ?

[glennda]

What cable is this? can you get a link or make model for me?

 

Cheers

 

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[Dos_Box]

Will this work with an iPhone 4 on iOS 5 ( latest version ) or does it need to be an android device ?

 

It is (so far) Android only. I have read that it is due to you having to have a jail broken iPhone to connect to the ODB2 Bluetooth adaptors.

[mac_shinobi]

It is (so far) Android only. I have read that it is due to you having to have a jail broken iPhone to connect to the ODB2 Bluetooth adaptors.

What is the cheapest android device available that would work with this bluetooth dongle or can it be a linux / windows laptop or is it android only or what exactly / any FAQ or info regards to compatibility with which devices it will / won't work with

 

Thanks @Dos_Box

[Dos_Box]

Apparently the dongles can talk to Windows/Linux laptops and there is software available (some dongles come with demos of these)

There are also (apparently) Wi-Fi ODB2 dongles as well that are Mac compatible, but not sure about software availability.

[sted]

There is similar pc software out there for instance vagcom for vw junk, lexia3 for Peugeot Citroen and so forth. Garmin also have a Bluetooth module that works with their satnavs