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Submitted: Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at 20:06
ThreadID:
132371
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Member - Barry P (VIC)
any advice on which obd11 scanner to suit my px series 1
ranger,thanks for future answers barry
Reply By: Hoyks - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 09:05
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 09:05
I have one too. Bought off ebay for bugger all to diagnose an issue I was having.
One of these;
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ELM327-Bluetooth-OBD2-Car-Diagnostic-Scanner-Scan-Tool-for-iPhone-iOS-Android-PC-/381598300601?hash=item58d907f9b9:g:lV4AAOSwbwlXCxPw
It works and you can use it to re-set error codes, not that I have had any since I bought it. I just leave it fitted to the OBD II plug all the time.
You do need a smart phone or tablet to use it, you also need to chose the right unit as they are either android (or the laptop*) or iphone/ipad. Download the free app, I use Torque (the supplied disc wasn't much help) and it lets you review how the engine is going in real time.
I was having trouble seeing all the info on my crappy android phone, so I installed 'Bluestacks' on the laptop. This is a android emulator program that lets you run android phone apps on the laptop.
AnswerID:
599843
Follow Up By: Zippo - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 12:32
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 12:32
Be aware that they impose a continuous battery drain, small but not insignificant.
Also if you are an iThing user, Apple's bluetooth stack does NOT play nicely with data devices such as OBD2 transceivers. For iDevices the Wifi versions are the way to go.
FollowupID:
869133
Follow Up By: Member - PhilD_NT - Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 19:28
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 19:28
I tried one of these on a BF2 Falcon and it was my impression that battery drain because of it was a part cause of issues I had that seemed to stop when I removed it.
Additionally, as my smart phone (Android) was also used a lot for EOTopo maps, phone calls via Bluetooth and Google Maps at times there were too many things trying to run at the same time and switching screens was troublesome and in some ways illegal while driving.
I now have a Scangauge and with the bonus of getting it to read the Transmission temperature on our
Ranger PX1. With all the
Ranger issues that can affect battery drain I wouldn't try the Bluetooth adaptors again.
BTW, I'd be careful and remove any of these when taking a vehicle in for factory servicing, especially while under Warranty. A couple of years ago I had a discussion with a Dealer Workshop person and it was commented on that these type of things connected to the OBD2 port could possibly affect the electronics and void the Warranty. True or not I wouldn't give them extra ammunition to try and weasel out of their obligations. I've already experienced them trying to find evidence to void a Warranty due to non-factory accessories.
FollowupID:
869160
Follow Up By: Hoyks - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 10:42
Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 10:42
Interesting. I was advised by the service manager at Mazda to get one to help diagnose an intermittent issue I had when starting on cold mornings.
FollowupID:
869193
Follow Up By: Nomadic Navara - Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 11:10
Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 11:10
Hoyks, thanks for the link. It is much more helpful than the lazy "ELM 327 - $15 on Ebay including delivery ."
FollowupID:
869198