Thread: Bluetooth OBD-II

it arrived today

all works except i can't see the entire program window & it won't allow me to resize

probably some wierd resolution issue.

will check it out when i have more time

fixed it

had large fonts turned on

time to have a play

Calling all dongle owners!
Is this thing worth it or not?
I'm sick of wasting money on junk.
A product review would be appreciated.
Cheers,
biggin

Originally Posted by biggin

Calling all dongle owners!
Is this thing worth it or not?
I'm sick of wasting money on junk.
A product review would be appreciated.
Cheers,
biggin

S'pose it depends on what you want to use it for.
If you're just a tinkerer who likes to see what error codes you have before handing your cash over to the stealers, or like doing minor repairs on your own vehicles, then its pretty good. If you're a garage looking at doing "proper" repairs, then you'd probably want something more advanced.

We tried it on a TD5 Disco (Beefy's Disco) on a recent trip and it doesn't work on them, I can tell you for fact! Flags up an error saying the engine is non-compliant.

Its a "generic OBD-II" reader, so there's nothing specific for LR's, but it does read many of the "useful codes" like MAF sensors, O2 sensors, temp, speed, amongst a whole range of other stuff. But I must stress it DOES NOT CLEAR THE 3 AMIGOS ERRORS ON A V8!!
So it'll read most generic codes, and lists of those can be found all over the place. But it does describe the code too (which is useful), together with the relevant error "code number" for reference.

But in saying that I have discovered something (no pun intended!)......I have my 3 amigos on nearly all the time at the mo, but when I plug the reader in and drive it around, they don't appear! Go figure!! Not that I'm moaning, but it happens so repetetively(?) it can't be coincidence.

I find it useful as it reads my missus car too (again, coz its generic), all i do is unplug from mine and plug into hers and hey presto, I can see what her engine is doing (or not as the case may be!).
I also like it as I can just leave it there with no trailing wires.
I suppose its a bit "gadgety/geeky" but at least it gives you an idea - at least if not a solution - to a problem you may have before things get too bad.

For $60-odd inc postage, I think it'll be a pretty handy thing to have nearby in my garage.

Hope that helps....

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption
AussieAubs Disco Page

I'll stick up a screenshot of the program running tonight (the one it comes with), so you can see all that is being read on a 2000 D2 V8.....

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption
AussieAubs Disco Page

Originally Posted by AussieAub

I'll stick up a screenshot of the program running tonight (the one it comes with), so you can see all that is being read on a 2000 D2 V8.....

OK, here ya go!
These screen shots were taken with the Disco just started, so quite cold (you can see from the data on the pics: temp and idle speed).
Another screenshot (pic 2) shows the real life errors I currently have with a particular O2 sensor, which I hope to replace soon.

So hopefully you can see, it's already proving a little bit useful!

Anyone, feel free to comment on any of the data shown there, I hope there's nothing looking TOO out of place!!

By "clicking" on those boxes in pic 1, it opens another window with more detailed info on that particular item being monitored, mostly by the use of a real-time plotted graph (should have got another picture, sorry, but should be able to guess what I mean!).
It sort of "scrolls" through those boxes, updating the displayiing info pretty quickly too (obviously depending on the computer and BlueTooth speed), but I can get a full refresh of all that being monitored in approx 2.5 secs.

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption
AussieAubs Disco Page

Thanks Kieren,
Looks okay for the price.
I just have one query though. What sort of hardware do you need on your computer to communicate with on those bluetooth thingies? Is there a receiver or something you can connect to a usb port?
I'm not much of a computer whizz.
Cheers,
biggin

Originally Posted by biggin

Thanks Kieren,
Looks okay for the price.
I just have one query though. What sort of hardware do you need on your computer to communicate with on those bluetooth thingies? Is there a receiver or something you can connect to a usb port?
I'm not much of a computer whizz.
Cheers,
biggin

Most laptops nowadays have BlueTooth receiver/transmitter cards built in, you just need to run it and then "pair" it with the device (make them talk to each other, usually with a pre-defined 4 digit pass code common to both).

If you don't have a BlueTooth unit, they can be bought as a USB dongle with software, for very little.
Check this one out. Just one of many, many types and sizes out there, but this one's only $20, very small, and in Australia(!).....
Mini USB BlueTooth Dongle

Cheers,

..:: KIEREN ::..
2000 Disco II Auto V8
Object Of Mass Consumption
AussieAubs Disco Page