Petrol heads -- recommendations for a OBD II interface/app for Android smartphone?

[Aloha_Shooter]

I know there are a bunch of you out there ... are any of the OBD II interfaces/apps for Android phones any good? Any recommendations? It would be nice if it had a Bluetooth rather than cabled interface but accuracy and ease of use are more important.

[Gman]

I bought a generic sensor off Amazon that uses Bluetooth and use the Torque Pro app. The free Torque app works well if you just want to identify the codes and clear them once the repair is made.
http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-diagnostics-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS

[DenverGP]

I'm using this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAOOQJC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Connects via bluetooth. Along with the android Torque Pro app. Works great for me.

[mcantar18c]

I use Torque Pro and a Bluetooth OBDII thingy. The only thing it doesn't do that I wish it did is give me a readout of my fuel tank in gallons. Other than that it has tons of cool features... more than I'll ever use.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Thanks ... wanted to read out more than just the codes but I'll take a look at the Torque Pro app ...

[DenverGP]

Depending on your vehicle, it can read a lot more than just codes.

I think on all of them it'll read RPM, coolant temp, open/closed loop, speed, MAP, MAF, throttle position, fuel trims, o2 sensors, intake air temp, maybe spark advance.. I know on my 2001 pontiac, I get all those and some extra values (knock is one I really needed, only available in the Pro version of the app). I think the Pro app is required to get a lot of the sensors, but it's pretty cheap.

I'd suggest throwing away the little CD that comes with it... It's from china, some of the discs have all sorts of nasty viruses. You don't need anything on the disc.

[Jer]

I came to say cheap bluetooth OBDII dongles & Torque but it looks like others have already steered you in the right direction.

DenverGP: it varies from vehicle to vehicle. Whatever sensors your ECU reads it can most likely display if someone has created a PID for it. Some aren't incredibly accurate due to delays or other variables but you can get lots of useful information from about a $20-$25 investment.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the way Torque's website gives you a quick summary and review of the various dongles that work with their software (http://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Bluetooth_Adapters). The OBDLink LX is a little more expensive than the ones that go for $10-12 but seems pretty powerful for the money.

[Jer]

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the way Torque's website gives you a quick summary and review of the various dongles that work with their software (http://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Bluetooth_Adapters). The OBDLink LX is a little more expensive than the ones that go for $10-12 but seems pretty powerful for the money.

Those are tested but many also pay a fee to be listed in their website so keep in mind that you're paying for that fee. The orange/blue label larger ones and the translucent low-profile blue ones work just fine and are cheap. The free version of the app is quite powerful and lots of folks just use that for most of their needs. I'm not one to pay for apps often but Torque is one of the few that I have paid the fee to get the Pro version of. Not that it's that much better but the dev has done a fine job developing this app so I like to reward those who put good work into something I benefit from. Most other apps I just use the free version and let them get their money through advertisers or whatever.

[cableguy11]

I bought a generic sensor off Amazon that uses Bluetooth and use the Torque Pro app. The free Torque app works well if you just want to identify the codes and clear them once the repair is made.
http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-diagnostics-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS

I also have this one with torque pro...works great.

-Art

[Gman]

The free version of the app is quite powerful and lots of folks just use that for most of their needs. I'm not one to pay for apps often but Torque is one of the few that I have paid the fee to get the Pro version of. Not that it's that much better but the dev has done a fine job developing this app so I like to reward those who put good work into something I benefit from. Most other apps I just use the free version and let them get their money through advertisers or whatever.
Great point. When I needed an app, the Torque Lite version got me what I needed to fix my Tahoe...then I bought the Pro version for the same reason. I could appreciate the work that someone had put into the free version and rewarded them with a few bucks for the Pro version. I need folks like that to keep up the good work.

I saved much more since these tools were made available to me.

[sportbikeco]

The pro version has PID's for certain vehicles pre programmed in and will allow you to just select your car and read all the sensors and they will read correctly.

You can make it work on your own with the free app and set up every sensor and display correct (maybe) but its worth the $5.

I use a cheapo bluetooth adapter and my phone to monitor a few cars, one being a powerstroke pickup. Very cool tool.

[Holger Danske]

I just received this OBD2 thingie from Amazon yesterday: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. 23 bucks and works great with Torque. The real time data stuff is kind of cool, but I used it to pull codes on the wife's Yukon XL and already have it fixed (dirty MAF sensor). One thing to note, this OBD2 is only for Android. They do have another for iPhone.

[russian]

Look into the iDiag x431. But it might be too many options. Good coverage as multicar scanner. Would definitely be an overkill if you just want to pull codes from ECU. If you decide to go with this one, let me know in pm I might get you a deal.

[Aloha_Shooter]

Thanks for the various recommendations and comments. I want more than just pulling codes because I was considering a replica vintage car that uses a Subaru engine so was looking to use this with my smartphone rather than install extra gauges. Using it to check codes on my truck would be a benny. :D

The BAFX looks interesting, particularly the claim it works on all US vehicles since 1996.

[Wulf202]

Bumping this. Bought 2 different code readers from Amazon. Bafx and a cheaper knock off. Neither would read my ford but read Toyota just fine. Anybody know of a good inexpensive odb 2 code reader that will truly work on all models?

Mechanic can read codes on my truck. It's a known issue with these if you read the feedback.

[Gman]

What year and model Ford?

Sent from my electronic leash.

[Wulf202]

99 f250 diesel

[Gman]

This might help; http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/422694-obdii-exempt.html

[Wulf202]

Thanks but the $400 is a bit much. Looking for $200 or less options that dont also require a laptop and software updates

[gnihcraes]

I've purchased one of the blue tooth odbii things, once it arrives and I download the torque app, I'll give some additional feedback. Sounds like a good solution from previous comments!

[Gman]

Thanks but the $400 is a bit much. Looking for $200 or less options that dont also require a laptop and software updates
I wasn't directing to that link for a product. It was explaining why the diesel SuperDuty pickups don't use OBD2, so that kind of puts a dent in the question you asked about an OBD2 reader that can read your Ford.

[Wulf202]

My super duty can send codes using a standard odb2 port but not the software. Kind of semantics but I'd like to be able to read the codes

[MED]

I use Torque Pro and a Bluetooth OBDII thingy. The only thing it doesn't do that I wish it did is give me a readout of my fuel tank in gallons. Other than that it has tons of cool features... more than I'll ever use.

+1 this is what I use and one of the few that will read off the wall codes. My diesel jeep doesn't work with most hand held readers.

[Gman]

Maybe this will work?
http://forscan.org/home.html