What is ELM327? Reviews from car owners say that many have long used this adapter for diagnostics. ELM327 - the latest scanner development, which is used to test cars using a personal computer. The adapter supports all OBD-2 protocols and is compatible with many diagnostic programs.
general information
What is an ELM327 adapter? User reviews recommend using this device if you need to quickly diagnose a car. Computer check of a vehicle is an important step in troubleshooting its operation. Scanning car systems using a laptop is a quick troubleshooting and safety guarantee on the road. Computer diagnostics is the most popular and popular type of defect search. It is carried out in two ways: using a stand-alone scanner and a laptop with an adapter for diagnosis.
Choose an adapter depending on the brand of car. The most common are KL line USB devices. They translate the received data of the ODB-2 standard into information that becomes available to the user for analysis. ELM327 (reviews confirm this) is suitable for almost all cars of domestic and foreign production. KL line adapters are also called ODD-2. Depending on the variations, they perform many different functions. This device can be connected to the diagnostic connector via a universal cable.
What is it needed for
What is the purpose of the ELM327? Responses of owners of personal vehicles claim that this adapter is able to replace full-fledged diagnostics in a car service. OBD-2 scanners are based on the microcontroller of the adapter in question. They are often used for diagnostics due to their versatility and reliability. Various diagnostic programs are available to users, which can be downloaded on the Internet for free or purchased a commercial version. These programs have many features, a clear interface and language support.
The OBD-2 software for the adapter is freely available. It is used in conjunction with the ELM327 to diagnose vehicle operation. The software supports most platforms, including Windows and DOS. What is good about the ELM327 USB adapter? Reviews of motorists are sure that it is better to use it, because the device is considered the leader in establishing a connection with the car's computer. This adapter does its job well. Diagnostic capabilities directly depend on the installed software. Most often, the adapter diagnoses the engine and transmission. If you need to check other systems, you need to purchase a commercial program.
Characteristics
Reviews of the ELM327 indicate that the adapter is able to read faults, display their codes and description. The EML327 is a microcontroller that was created to reduce the cost of manufacturing a scanner. Some manufacturers release processors that have a copy of the adapter software. This does not adversely affect the reliability and quality of the connection. The diagnostic instrument is supplied with the adapter itself with a processor, an OBD-2 and USB cable, and a disk with free software. The technical characteristics of the adapter include:
- the presence of LEDs;
- high speed data exchange;
- internal protection against voltage surges and short circuits;
- operating voltage of 12 volts;
- OBD-2 connector with sixteen contacts;
- USB cable
Should I buy an OBD2 ELM327? Reviews are advised to try this diagnostic tool in action, as the scanner communicates with almost all car brands and supports the OBD-2 specification, regardless of the protocol and vehicle features.
Opportunities
What are the benefits of the ELM327 Bluetooth? Reviews of car owners confirm: using a wireless adapter is simple. He not only reads, decrypts errors, but also erases them. Reading of parameters occurs in real time. Diagnosed engine speed, its load, coolant temperature, speed, condition of the fuel system, short-term and long-term fuel consumption, fuel pressure, ignition timing, acceleration time and other parameters, depending on the model of transport. All information is provided in the form of graphs. Sometimes it happens that the adapter can not do auto diagnostics if it does not have an OBD2 connector.
Which adapter to choose
How to choose the ELM327 Bluetooth adapter? Owner reviews advise you to buy the device, depending on which device the diagnostic test will be conducted from. It can be a smartphone, tablet, laptop, computer. For a stationary PC, any adapter is suitable. Adapters with Bluetooth and WiFi are suitable for a smartphone with the Android or Symbian operating system. For gadgets running iOS, select only the ELM327 WiFi adapters. The manufacturer offers customers devices in three versions: Classic stick out of the connector not seven centimeters, Mini - three and a half, Micro - two centimeters. When choosing an adapter, use the following recommendations:
- if in the car the diagnostic connector is located under the steering column and is not very recessed, give preference to modifying the ELM327 Micro or Mini adapter;
- if the connector is located on the dashboard and is closed with a special plug, it is best to choose a micro adapter;
- if the diagnostic connector is in a convenient place in terms of ergonomics, an adapter of any modification is suitable.
After diagnostics, it is advisable to remove the device from the connector.
Instruction manual
What can an ELM327 adapter do? Reviews of car owners say that the device can read and decode fault codes, delete errors from the memory of the car control unit, read the parameters of the internal combustion engine in real time. There are certain requirements for a personal computer during the diagnosis. Among them, the RAM is at least 16 MB, free space on the hard disk is 50 MB, a USB port, high speed connection, Intel Pentium processor. Connecting a device is simple, just install the program on a laptop and configure the adapter.
Reviews
ELM327 reviews are mostly positive. Users of the diagnostic adapter confirm that it is an inexpensive, easy-to-use device. Its main advantages are accuracy, a variety of indicators, error reset. The adapter reads the parameters with the engine ECU, it does not need drivers and wires to connect. The device is small in size, compact, suitable for almost all car models, multifunctional, simple, can save on diagnostics, is used as an on-board computer, does not require extra settings. Among the shortcomings: it does not work with all programs and systems, the build quality is not the best, in some car models the adapter is difficult to remove from the connector.