Handheld OBD2 fault code scanners

[turbodriver63]

Just putting out a feeler to see if anyone here has ever purchased an OBD2 fault code finder?
There's lots of cheap ones on fleabay that read and erase codes for under £30
I'm thinking of buying one for my 80 dag dag as I would be interested to see if it has any faults.
I would have preferred to buy the OBD2 and 2X2 cables and get the free software for a laptop to suit, but I don't have a working laptop anymore (just an ipad)
Anyone ever purchased one of these?

[Monkeymagic]

Years back i bought an autel vag specific one with 2x2 cable for 30 quid. Only talks to engine abs a/t and airbags but its neat tidy and poweredfrom obd port which is handy.basic but good kit for money.

[S2central.net]

You can be lucky with these - or not. I have one that talks only to the ecu on the S2 but it talks to loads of other things on more modern cars. Some are limited only to reading codes and cannot clear them. There are apps for iOS and android phones to do this stuff but they need a suitable Bluetooth adapter. I did buy one a while back but it's still in its packaging somewhere in a drawer.

[turbodriver63]

Good info guys
I might be as well to go the iOS route with the Bluetooth adaptor

[S2central.net]

I might get a chance to try mine over this weekend… if I can find the box with the BT adapter… A quick look at the iOS apps available shows some available for free and some for a few quid but none look particularly inspiring - bit of a turkey shoot.

[PeteRR]

I have a specific VW/Audi handheld scanner from Gendan that reads/erases codes and works pretty well.
Seems to be an older version of this one:

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDVAG2X2.html

[S2central.net]

I have a specific VW/Audi handheld scanner from Gendan that reads/erases codes and works pretty well.
Seems to be an older version of this one:
http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDVAG2X2.html

Looks like a perfect item for the glovebox - especially for the price with 2x2 cable included too. Scope is limited to a handful of controller types but hard to argue with the money if works across VAG models from circa 1991 to 2009.

Some exceptions are declared of course and it doesn't explicitly mention dual K-line support which may be required on some cars… I cannot recall details on that.

For the money I might take a punt at that one for the MY03 S4 glovebox and see how it handles CAN !

[Monkeymagic]

I think mine is from gendan its talks to can cars. Most of the time i use vcds but this is a great device for the glove box,

[PeteRR]

Looks like a perfect item for the glovebox - especially for the price with 2x2 cable included too. Scope is limited to a handful of controller types but hard to argue with the money if works across VAG models from circa 1991 to 2009.

Some exceptions are declared of course and it doesn't explicitly mention dual K-line support which may be required on some cars… I cannot recall details on that.

For the money I might take a punt at that one for the MY03 S4 glovebox and see how it handles CAN !

It certainly read and erased a crank sensor code on a mate's MY04 A4 1.8T

[S2central.net]

Spent an hour or so researching the iOS option… I gambled £6.99 on the good looking app from www.palmerperformance.com - (was unable to get any other versions to install from an .IPA file on iTunes)… Unfortunately it does not work with the elcheapo generic Bluetooth adapter that I currently have - seemingly good old Apple only wants to connect with devices that have some pre-agreed secret buried in them… so you have to find an 'iPhone certified' BT adapter or go the WiFi route.

Looks like the cheapest iPhone friendly BT adapters are made by 'ELM'… the WiFi ones avoid the security nonsense but are not cheap… and don't always support DHCP config so thats another ball ache.

Have to say the handheld badgers for 40 quid are much lower stress.

[Henkjan]

I have one in the glovebox of the A4, V-Checker V202. connector is not an easy fit, otherwise does what it should.

but a phone app with the BT device installed would be cool, are there any decent Android apps?

[Yaz]

Hi all, I was thinking of purchasing this for my Android device:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2810877726...84.m1423.l2649

and the app, Free version: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...efree&hl=en_GB

Pro version = £2.95: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...orque&hl=en_GB

Anyone bought this yet?

[turbodriver63]

I just ordered that gendan model that PeteRR put a link to
Will be interesting to see what it's like

[S2central.net]

I have one in the glovebox of the A4, V-Checker V202. connector is not an easy fit, otherwise does what it should.

but a phone app with the BT device installed would be cool, are there any decent Android apps?

On paper 'Dash Commander' looks pretty cool - its on the palmer performance site and is available for iOS and Android. Unfortunately there is no freebie version to try connectivity with your BT or WiFi dongle. I have found a cheap looking adapter that alleges to work with it on iPhone but you should have no problem with 'ELM-237' BT adapters on Android - allegedly.

Paul