Over time, any car gradually begins to fail. To prevent the occurrence of breakdowns in the nodes of the car, motorists are forced to annually conduct expensive diagnostics. However, today special devices (OBD 2) have appeared on the market that allow you to independently perform this procedure. One such gadget is the ELM327 Bluetooth adapter . The compact device allows you to instantly read information about the operation of the car. You can use a regular smartphone or laptop. Also available today are ELM327 Bluetooth adapters with an integrated wireless module. Thanks to this, you can even connect to the device via Wi-Fi.
Smartphone Connection
Owners of Android phones can easily diagnose vehicle systems on their own. To do this, it is enough to perform just a few manipulations:
- Download the Torque program and install it on your smartphone.
- Connect the adapter for auto diagnostics to the connector in the car (usually it is under the dashboard, to the right of the steering wheel).
- Start the car and wait until the indicator light on the miniature device lights up.
- Go to the wireless settings of the smartphone.
- Activate Bluetooth and go to its settings.
- Click "Search for available devices."
- Wait for the list of devices to load.
- Select OBD 2.
- The system will require you to enter a special pairing code. Usually these are standard digital combinations (1234, 6789 or 0000).
- If the system recognized the code, then a message should appear on the screen stating that the device pairing was successful and the bluetooth is working well.
- Run the installed Torque utility. In this case, the program will show that the only device found so far is inactive.
- Go to the smartphone menu and go to the “Settings” tab. In this tab, you must select OBD 2 and click "Connection Type".
- Select a bluetooth device.
- Find the diagnostic device in the list.
- Go to the main screen of the utility and select “Adapter Status”.
- Wait for the car ECU to connect with the ELM327 Bluetooth adapter . At the same time, 4 green “birds” should appear on the screen. If at least one of them is off, then at some stage of the configuration an error was made. In this case, you need to repeat the connection again.
After that, you can go to the main screen and make sure that the program and the diagnostic adapter are working correctly. This will be evidenced by data on current engine speeds.
The diagnostic adapter ELM327 allows you to get all the necessary information about the operation of systems and their errors. It will also be possible to receive data in real time (for example, fuel consumption and much more).
How to connect ELM327 Wi-Fi
In order to use a wireless connection, you must perform the following steps:
- Connect the diagnostic adapter to the appropriate connector in the vehicle.
- Start the machine engine.
- Go to the wireless settings on your tablet, phone or laptop.
- Select a V-Link network and connect to it.
- Run a diagnostic program (there is a huge list of utilities that can be downloaded via the Internet).
- Go to the program settings and specify the standard IP address 192.168.0.10.
- Enter 255.255.255.0 in the "Subnet mask" field.
- You can leave the port by default or specify 35000.
- Pair the car systems and the ELM327 Bluetooth adapter . Some diagnostic programs also require you to enter machine information. In this case, it is necessary to enter the brand, year of manufacture and engine power in the appropriate fields. You will also need to specify the most convenient units for the driver.
Bluetooth adapter ELM327: instructions for connecting to a PC
In order to integrate the device with a portable computer that runs on Windows, you must:
- Turn on the ignition of the PBX and plug the device for diagnostics into the appropriate connector.
- Install ScanMaster on the computer. Of course, you can find any other utility for working with the adapter, but this software is considered the best.
- Go to the control panel of the program and select "Bluetooth Devices".
- Add available devices and after their list is loaded, check the box “Ready to detect”.
- Click "Next". After that, the PC will automatically find the scanner.
- Press the “Next” button again.
- Enter the code for connecting devices in the window that appears (as in the first case, this is a standard combination of numbers).
- Click "Next" again.
- Follow the instructions of the program, which should integrate the device in automatic mode.
- Click Finish.
After that, you can start using ScanMaster. Best of all, if the OBD 2 program of the Bluetooth adapter ELM327 will connect and make settings in automatic mode.
Now consider the main functions of the adapter. What data can be found using this autoscanner?
What errors does the adapter allow to diagnose a car?
Using the ELM327 autoscanner, you can quickly view active errors associated with the operation of the motor. In addition, the program helps to identify the main malfunctions and accurately determine in which particular node they occurred.
So, what data does the program provide and what is its functionality:
- Reads or erases trouble codes in the car. In this case, all current errors are carefully analyzed immediately after starting auto diagnostics. If the program detects at least minimal malfunctions in the engine, the “Check engine” lamp lights up.
- Provides current machine data. This means that the mini ELM327 Bluetooth adapter provides the car owner with all the necessary information about the operation of units that are active in real time.
- Displays information from the dashboard of the machine. In this case, it is possible to analyze the parameters.
- Displays graphs. For the convenience of evaluating the operation of systems in the programs, graphing is provided. At the same time, the car owner can independently configure them, disabling and including the necessary information blocks.
- Carries out testing of oxygen sensors and much more.
Device benefits
To date, such a device can significantly save on diagnostics. Its cost pays off after a few months of using the device. At the same time, you can check the operation of systems at any time. For example, if the car began to work poorly on a busy highway, the car owner will be able to determine in a matter of seconds which particular unit failed.
Also, the advantages of the device include its compact size, wide functionality, ease of use and low cost. Nevertheless, the gadget has several disadvantages.
disadvantages
Among the minuses of ELM327, one can highlight the lack of protocols for Japanese-made cars. Unfortunately, owners of these cars have to use other diagnostic tools. Also, some car owners noted that the device can only scan systems, making changes with it is impossible.
Also, after buying a device, you will have to deal with its settings on your own, since there is no instruction in the kit. However, this nuance is difficult to attribute to the minuses, because the installation of an autoscanner is intuitive.
Reviews
Many car owners are positive about this device. They note that the device really allows you to significantly save on diagnostic procedures. At the same time, many pay attention to the fact that in a car dealership it is not always possible to identify possible problems in a car, despite the fact that this service costs 1,500 rubles. At the same time, for the same money you can purchase the OBD 2 ELM327 Bluetooth adapter and use it constantly.
On the other hand, some users note that the device does not always work correctly and it may not produce some important errors. However, this may well be due to improper device settings.
Finally
Buying a scanner is recommended only on the official website of the manufacturer. The fact is that devices of this type are often faked, so there is a great risk of acquiring an idle device. The average cost of the device is 1,500 rubles. Cheaper models are not recommended.