P38 OBD software on your mobile

[Junosi]

Hi all, just thought I'd show a quick little video I took of my android tablet showing some live OBD data on my P38 idling in the drive. Thought it might interest some of you techo's :)

YouTube - 001

I've got a bluetooth ODB dongle (Elm327 $22) plugged into the P38 which gets turned off/on with the ignition (otherwise it drains battery even with ignition off). The video shows the android app 'Torque', it's very configurable, I've got two screens set up - one with dials and the other with digital displays, I mostly use the digital display myself. There's a ton of other gauges, displays and widgets that can be used giving all the various engine OBD reports. It can read and clear engine faults also (just the engine, it's no faultmate!)

Although this is running on my android tablet it will also run on any other android device and I'm sure there's many similar products that run on iOS.

[Remy]

Very cool ;)

[glenhendry]

Can you please tell us how you configured the BT dongle to switch off with the ignition? I have a BT ODB dongle on the way and I already have Torque running on Android!

Thanks for the video and info

[Junosi]

Can you please tell us how you configured the BT dongle to switch off with the ignition?

I just made a small OBD extension cord with a male on one end and female on the other. The ODB +12v line (pin 16) is interrupted and wired out through a solenoid that only connects when ignition is turned on. Does mean buying/making an extension cord and modifying the +12v wire but it seems to work so far.

You could modify the existing OBD port and put a switch on the +12v line I guess, but I'd rather leave it alone.

[wayneg]

Can this OBD2 bluetooth thingy be used with EAS unlock???????

[Junosi]

Can this OBD2 bluetooth thingy be used with EAS unlock???????

Nope, the ELM327 OBD readers are only good for generic engine codes, it'll report the non-standard (engine) codes too but just says 'manufacturer specific code' from memory. It can't communicate with any of the other P38 systems - EAS etc

[PaulP38a]

worth doing it just for the OFP factor ;)
(OFP = Officer Fascination Panel)

[Chas Newport]

I tried this and couldn't get an RPM feed...

Do you know offhand which engine management system your P38 used?

GEMS or Bosch Motronic?

Here's how to tell... http://www.blackbox-solutions.com/Basic-Bits/P38engines.html

If it's long gone don't worry about it I realise this was a while ago now.

Cheers!

[David]

Hi guys I was lucky enough to win a Bluetooth ELM327 OBD reader from ebay for 99 cents but sadly my OBD socket is corroded so it won't read anything at the current time until it is repaired/cleaned up. It came with a CD full of scanning software and strangely some porn but nevertheless it looks like a good purchase. For the price, it is a great experiment and if you can get the results that we saw on the you tube video posted by Junosi then all the better.
Regards
David

[adm333]

The porn is for when you can't get the OBD scanner to work.

Less likely to call them if you're busy with other things ..... :D

[glenhendry]

I have been using Torque for quite a while and enjoying it. I get a lot of information about fuelling for O2 sensors and fuel trim etc. I have had a lot of trouble with the generic OBD bluetooth adaptor, only connecting to the Torque app on average one in three times. I finally got sick of it and paid ~$100 for the Kiwi adaptor (http://plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSSTWIFI) and it is now flawless and reliable.