Cheap OBD-II scanner (Torque Pro + ELM327)

[cb1000rider]

So I've owned various scan tools over the last 20 years or so. If you're going to do diagnostics on modern (1995+) cars/truck, you'll need a scan tool... And I'd really recommend one that can do data capture and show real-time data.

So I've got a $150 scan tool, which will capture, but won't show the real time data I need to help me narrow down issues.. So I start considering a Scan-guage II which is going to run me another $160.

So I start looking around. I have an Android phone and I find a little application called "Torque" which runs about $5.00. Of course, there is a free version too, but the ratings for this application are off the charts.

Of course, I can't plug the phone into the RV, so it does require a "dongle" - or a little deal that plugs into the diagnostic port of the RV and communicates to the phone (or laptop, or Palm, or Windows Phone) via Bluetooth. It cost $17.50.

So for around $5 + $17.50, I've got the functionality of Scanguage-II. Plus I can connect to my laptop, my Android phone, and log data....

I can setup "dashboards" - monitor mpg, temperatures, error codes. I'm trying to determine if it will do Ford's "mode 6" of detecting misfires under error-throwing thresholds...

But anyway... If you've got a modern smart phone or a laptop that will do blue-tooth, you can have a diagnostic tool as well as a scan-gauge like tool for about $22.50.....

[Arch Hoagland]

Thanks for the post.

I've got a Nexus 7 and might try to hook it up to my coach.

I've got a UltraGauge in there now and it works fine, but I like tinkering with stuff like that.

[subford]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

So I've owned various scan tools over the last 20 years or so. If you're going to do diagnostics on modern (1995+) cars/truck, you'll need a scan tool... And I'd really recommend one that can do data capture and show real-time data.

You have the years wrong.
On the F53 you are talking about 1999 V-10 or newer.
For the Class "C" E-series it would be 1997 or newer for non-California and 1996 or newer for the California E-series.

In other words you have to have an OBD-II system to use any of the items he talked about.
All 460 (7.5L) F53 MH were OBD-I (1997 F53 & older) and the above items will not work. There was not a 1998 F53.
Also the 1997 and older E-series non-California were OBD-I.

To read just the codes on the OBD-I system get the Equus 3145 Ford Digital Code Reader.

For data on the OBD-I you need to get the Actron Scanner CP9190-9185. There are other scanners but the Actron Scanner CP9190-9185 is the one I have and it gets data for both the OBD-I & OBD-II systems.

You only have the data available on the 1992 or newer OBD-I systems.

[clyon51]

You know, these are pretty neat and of course a cheap alternative to a Scangauge. However, I don't like the idea of using my phone or laptop up front while driving. I like having my SG right there all the time. But, for 20 bucks, it's a pretty cool toy

[W4MBG]

i got a cheap bluetooth dongle and i use it with my vizio 8" tablet. it works great. still need to tweak it a bit. i can switch between the torque app and the gps map.

[John Mo]

I've done this. I set my phone on the small ledge in front of the gauge cluster -- small piece of slipstop to set it on and keep it in place. Nice, inexpensive way to get scanguage functionality.

[cb1000rider]

I'm not an F53 expert, but outside of the F53, anything 1995 can be OBD-I or OBD-II. For 1996, it's OBD-II going forward.... If someone can confirm that for some reason the F53 did not comply with OBD-II protocols by 1995, I'd be interested to figure out why...

In terms of using the phone while driving, I've got a holder for the phone, so it's about the same as a mounted gauge.

[bdickson]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

So I've owned various scan tools over the last 20 years or so. If you're going to do diagnostics on modern (1995+) cars/truck, you'll need a scan tool... And I'd really recommend one that can do data capture and show real-time data.

So I've got a $150 scan tool, which will capture, but won't show the real time data I need to help me narrow down issues.. So I start considering a Scan-guage II which is going to run me another $160.

So I start looking around. I have an Android phone and I find a little application called "Torque" which runs about $5.00. Of course, there is a free version too, but the ratings for this application are off the charts.

Of course, I can't plug the phone into the RV, so it does require a "dongle" - or a little deal that plugs into the diagnostic port of the RV and communicates to the phone (or laptop, or Palm, or Windows Phone) via Bluetooth. It cost $17.50.

So for around $5 + $17.50, I've got the functionality of Scanguage-II. Plus I can connect to my laptop, my Android phone, and log data....

I can setup "dashboards" - monitor mpg, temperatures, error codes. I'm trying to determine if it will do Ford's "mode 6" of detecting misfires under error-throwing thresholds...

But anyway... If you've got a modern smart phone or a laptop that will do blue-tooth, you can have a diagnostic tool as well as a scan-gauge like tool for about $22.50.....

The Amazon ad has the following quote which concerns me:

"This item now not support WIN7 and VISTA 64 bit operation system"

Have you used it on a Windows 7 laptop? I suspect this may just be a "Chenglish" translation problem, but wanted to be sure before I order one. I use an iPhone not a Windows phone. iPhone is not listed as supported anywhere.

[cb1000rider]

I haven't tried it Windows 7.. And most "modern" laptops will be 64 bit.

Note, I think your iphone can talk to it just fine, but it's finding the right application. Torque seems to be Android only for now.

[subford]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

I'm not an F53 expert, but outside of the F53, anything 1995 can be OBD-I or OBD-II. For 1996, it's OBD-II going forward.... If someone can confirm that for some reason the F53 did not comply with OBD-II protocols by 1995, I'd be interested to figure out why...

As I said above the F53 was OBD-I through 1997. There was not a 1998 F53 so the 1997 F53 was used for some the 1998 Motorhomes and the 1999 F53 was used for some of the later 1998 Motorhomes. So a 1998 MH could be OBD-I or II depending on the engine. If it was a V-10 1999 it was an OBD-II, if it was a 460 1997 it was OBD-I.
In short if it was a 460 F53 it was OBD-I.
The same thing also applied to the larger F-series trucks.
No 1995 F-series truck or E-series van was OBD-II in 1995.
They did not have to comply with OBD-II protocols for the larger Ford trucks through 1997.

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

In terms of using the phone while driving, I've got a holder for the phone, so it's about the same as a mounted gauge.

That would be fine for me except DW has it 80% of the time checking CGs, fuel prices, talking, texting and let us not forget Facebook

I am curious if Torque has all the same features as SG, like monitoring transmission temperature and other X-Gauges as SG calls them?

I see you can get a Y cable for the ODB II, so I could have both

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000TMCX72

[W4MBG]

yes, torque has all the functionality of a scangauge, and more. and the iphone uses a different bluetooth protocol, so the bt cheapo obd transmitters will not work with an iphone. at least the last time i checked.

[Towertime]

I received my ODBll bluetooth adapter today. It seems to work exactly as advertised although I noticed in some of the reviews that these "clone" adapters sometimes have problems. I guess as cheap as they are I can always get another one if this one quits but right now it is working great. I also noticed in the reviews that Apple products have to be "Hacked" in order for them to work with it. Works great with my Droid!

Amazon.com: Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner: Automotive

[W4MBG]

yeah, sorry. i should have said "will not work with an iphone unless you hack it, last time i checked."