Torque Pro ELM327 Android OBD Bluetooth Fault Scanner/Diagnostic Code Reader

Sometimes you buy something technical and it just simple works - no drama, no hassle. This simple dongle arrived well packed but the only instructions were written on the back of the packet. Turns out this was needed.It works with any ODB2 ELM 327 reader - search the App Store for ELM 327 and pick one you like. Torque is the most common but I went for Old Mary. Most are free with paid for upgrades to remove adverts, install first before going to your car.Find the OBD2 port on yours car (a quick google search will tell you where - normally under the dash) and plug the dongle in. A red and blue LED flash to let you know it in. Then turn the ignition on or start the engine (not just to position 1, keep turning to position 2 else it won’t work)Then turn on you phone or tablet and using Bluetooth connect to the device which helpfully appears as ODB. Enter one of the suggested passwords on the back of the packet either 0000 or 1234 and connect.Then fire up your chosen ODB2 application. Choose the device from the list, select the vehicle type (for the correct protocol my Merced’s SL500 wasn’t listed but the suggested generic Mercedes profile worked fine) and that’s it.Real-time diagnostic data for faults, sensors and data appears on you phone screen. Couldn’t be simpler.For a fraction of the price of a “proper” scanner you get all the functionality on your screen.The dongle can transfer to any other vehicle too and it’s small enough to leave plugged in. If you have an android head unit you can have all those extra dials on the screen too! Great value simple tool.

I can't say why I chose this particular chip over many others, but I'd read that some are a bit hit and miss, so I just followed the reviews. I thought I'd take a chance, and I wasn't disappointed.The chip comes in a card package and sits in a foam insert so there's no chance of damage. Even though I didn't buy this for it's packaging, I was pleased the the overall presentation.It feels solid, and I don't feel it is likely to fall apart in my hands. I've had it in and out of the car a few times and it's holding up well.Function:I used this to find faults on a 2002 Honda CR-V.Once I located the car's OBD2 socket, using the chip was straight forward. Pairing it with the free Torque App (I'm sure there are other apps available) was straight forward and everything connected without any problem. Not all functions of the Torque App were avilable so I cannot comment on full functionality, but this might be to do with what info is available from the car itself. Pretty much all info that I would need as a non-mechanic was readily available to me.The reason for purchase was to discover the cause for the check engine light on the CR-V without having to go to a garage first. I checked and cleared 2 fault codes a few times, just to check consistency of the device. The results were always the same, so I'm happy with it's level of accuracy. I have fixed one issue without a problem or need to visit a garage. I am in the process of fixing the cause of the second fault code which might require a garage, but at least I have an idea of what the issue is.I feel this small inexpensive device has already saved me time and money by allowing me to fix a fault myself. I'm ok with mechanical stuff, but would have needed a garage to problem solve these particular faults. Now I've got a head start.I'm very happy with this product. It's saved me a lot of stress.

Its proven a handy and reliable little gadget lined up with a number of Android Apps to take a look at the electronics of your car.Its not without its flaws, but it is a generic item, and system. So to compare it to the likes of the specialised computers specifically designed to work with their specific cars is unfair (especially considering a genuine computer for my own, would cost upwards of £1000).It interfaces pretty well, even with certain rarer cars that are hell bent on using only their OEM gear.The Torque Pro App (not affiliated) with some tweaking can pick up on most sensors the car has. Though flags the occasional interface error.As of yet no error codes have been found on any of the motors, but some of the live data I did manage to tap highlighted a problem before it became a major one (a parasitic drain on the electrics).Tried it with a car that had ABS warnings up, and it couldnt clear them.It wont give you the ultimate level of detail you would expect from a pro bit of kit, but it can come in handy if you know how to read the live data.