Diagnostic app using a dongle

[Catmatt]

Hi,

After ages searching high and low for a Nanocom - and then finding 1 that was just shy of $700 :o I thought - hang this there has to be an alternative!

So I searched the web and found this that may be of interest to you fellow Land Rover owners who don't have a Nanocom or Hawkeye diagnostic tool -

ELM327 Bluetooth OBD-II Wireless Transceiver Dongle - Free Shipping - DealExtreme (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/elm327-bluetooth-obd-ii-wireless-transceiver-dongle-16921)

Buy yourself 1 of these - which will fit any OBDII port by the way not just the diagnostic port in a Land Rover and then download the "Torque" app if you have an Android phone. The app will cost you a princely $4.00!!

If you have an iPhone - download the "DashCommander" app - it's a bit more expensive @ $52.00 and voile!!

You will have a fully functioning diagnostic tool that will read any DTC's AND you will have the ability to read, recognise and clear fault codes plus a myriad of more functions all for under $100.00!!

I have the dongle and the iPhone app and it works brilliantly!!

If would rather not have the convenience of a phone diagnostic tool, then this may be for you.....

MaxiScan MS509 2.8" LCD OBD2/EOBD Car Diagnostic Auto Code Scanner - Free Shipping - DealExtreme (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/maxiscan-ms509-2-8-lcd-obd2-eobd-car-diagnostic-auto-code-scanner-35022)

Cheers and happy diagnosing!! ;)

[zeus11]

Thats a pretty cool gadget!

It would be good if there was a display you could permanantly mount to see the Engine RPM, Coolant Temperature, Intake Manifold Pressure etc

I supose you could get a second hand cheap PDA and mout in your car.

Im going to get one of these to have a play around with.


Thanks for the tip.

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

$700 for a Nanocom???? Tell him
he's dreaming!!!!

Where did you find a price like that?????


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[Catmatt]

Dreaming or not me old china - BBS are having major problems rolling out the new EvoII Nonacom with major customer expectations and delivery problems................Have you ordered one (1).......has it arrived????

At present, technology is overtaking the "Nanocom" - mobile phone apps are being updated daily.

My Android phone is literally a complete mobile PC with unlimited potential - the same as my iPhone...jump onboard old mate - the train has left the station and will leave you behind ;)

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

I have an Evo1 and iPhone and I can tell you the apps can't get anywhere near the capability of the Evo. Only cost me $420 at my door.

You could say my train left the station months ago and I got there an hour beforehand!


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[silverhammer]

Hey guys, can u clarify. Does this stuff dashdaq and the elm Bluetooth bit work with a 2003 TD5? Its all a bit confusing. Vthanks. Max

[OffTrack]

The interface will work, but there is little of value on the OBDII bus on the TD5 in terms of real time data. So they are a waste of time if you intend using the apps as extended instrumentation. The apps will read/clear engine ECU fault codes.

[Tombie]

The phone apps only do the engine... not the aux ECUs in the vehicle like BCU, SLABS etc

[Titch101]

There is an Evo2 for sale on eBay at the moment

[silverhammer]

Thanks Tombie...I guess realtime engine data is what I'm after. BTW I've got one of your maps on my D2a TD5 auto (thru JC) and am trying to chase down why my EGTs are so high under load.

The other data from SLABS etc I can check thru JCs Nanocom.

Silverhammer

[HowardSmall]

I was under the impression the Defender TD5 did not use standard OBD-II codes and was therefore considering the Nanocom to help solve a problem I have. Can anyone confirm it does use standard codes? If so it seems to me the advantage of the Nanocom would be:

1. read/write map
2. report ABS
3. report/program alarm

in which case the OBD-II would suit me fine. Obviously, unlike the Nanocom, it would not display the meaning of the brand specific codes but they can easily be looked up.

Howard


Hi,
ELM327 Bluetooth OBD-II Wireless Transceiver Dongle - Free Shipping - DealExtreme (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/elm327-bluetooth-obd-ii-wireless-transceiver-dongle-16921)

Buy yourself 1 of these - which will fit any OBDII port by the way not just the diagnostic port in a Land Rover and then download the "Torque" app if you have an Android phone. The app will cost you a princely $4.00!!

[OffTrack]

I was under the impression the Defender TD5 did not use standard OBD-II codes and was therefore considering the Nanocom to help solve a problem I have. Can anyone confirm it does use standard codes? If so it seems to me the advantage of the Nanocom would be:

1. read/write map
2. report ABS
3. report/program alarm

in which case the OBD-II would suit me fine. Obviously, unlike the Nanocom, it would not display the meaning of the brand specific codes but they can easily be looked up.

Howard



Obd-ii readers are a one trick pony when it comes to the td5's. They will read and clear obd-ii codes, but don't provide access to real-time engine data. The real-time data is often more useful as many common problems won't trigger a code.

I'd suggest you download the pdf's relating to the Td5 and defender abs and alarm modules and have a read of what they offer above and beyond the simple read/clear fault codes offered by obd-2 readers.

http://web.nanocom.it/download_i.cfm


Cheers
Paul

[HowardSmall]

Good points. My problem is I have intermittent power drop and I cannot find the cause or conditions that cause it. I am hoping that a read with an OBD-II might give me a clue but if not I will need to see what is happening in real time.

Guess I will give the OBD-II a try and if that is no good then have to invest in a Nanocom. Can always sell it again after the problem is fixed I guess.

Howard


Obd-ii readers are a one trick pony when it comes to the td5's. They will read and clear obd-ii codes, but don't provide access to real-time engine data. The real-time data is often more useful as many common problems won't trigger a code.
Cheers
Paul

[HowardSmall]

Well I got an ELM327 with USB connection. It hooks up to the ODB connection on my MY99 Defender Extreme TD5. However none of the software will talk to the Defender - they tell me the protocol is not recognised.

Does anyone know of software that will work?

Thanks

Howard


Obd-ii readers are a one trick pony when it comes to the td5's. They will read and clear obd-ii codes,

[SWH]

Catmatt

That is great information. Do you know if the iPhone set up works with a D4 2011?

[HowardSmall]

Well I have now bought a different, all in one, OBDII reader and it also can not read anything from my 99MY TD5 Defender.

If others can read from that model it seems there must be something wrong with the connection on mine. It looks OK and provides power to the readers so I am wondering if there is another connector somewhere in the vehicle that I can try?

If not, can anyone tell me where the wires from the connector interface to the ECU so I can perhaps check their continuity?

Thanks,

Howard

[nobbyclrk]

Well I have now bought a different, all in one, OBDII reader and it also can not read anything from my 99MY TD5 Defender.

If others can read from that model it seems there must be something wrong with the connection on mine. It looks OK and provides power to the readers so I am wondering if there is another connector somewhere in the vehicle that I can try?

If not, can anyone tell me where the wires from the connector interface to the ECU so I can perhaps check their continuity?

Thanks,

Howard

I'm not sure what you have bought in either case. But maybe there is a clue here
Dreaming or not me old china
Unfortunatly you may have tried to save a bit too much :(.
I have just noticed the price differance in your buy and a read of the last subject in this link may answer all your questions.
Elm327 Scan Tool Review (http://www.glmsoftware.com/ScantoolReview.aspx)

But beware it also maybe totaly unrelated and something else is going on.
No way of telling untill it's put on a proper tool.

[HowardSmall]

I had one of the ELM327 devices that go cheap and then bought a MaxiScan MS509 but it doesn't work either. I have emailed the MaxiScan people to see if they think it should work which will help me sort out the problem (hopefully).

Howard


I'm not sure what you have bought in either case.