Cheap chinese OBD2 scanners.(quick update) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 08:31:48 pm
content: I've been looking for a cheap OBD2 scanner, mainly to reset the ABS fault ( broken sensor ) in my '96 NG900.While doing so i stumbled upon many different OBD2 scanners and even a couple interesting stories surrounding them.Eg:https://timyouard.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/disection-of-a-counterfeit-elm327-obdii-adapter-from-china/And here's a cheapo bluetooth one that i found.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-OBD2-OBDII-ELM327-v1-5-Android-Bluetooth-Adapter-Auto-Scanner-Torque-1X-/401330755850?hash=item5d712d590a:g:BYkAAOSwuTxWAQZxBut these are likely to contain a shoddy rewrite of the original firmware, so to avoid that i looked up some USB ones that i thought would be at least more likely to have better firmware ( ie. no BT µcontroller ).Something like this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/FTDI-ch340g-VAG-COM-KKL-409-1-OBD2-K-Line-KWP2000-ISO9141-USB-FOR-VW-AUDI-JGL/391756512936?_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982&_trkparms=aid%3D888007%26algo%3DDISC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D41375%26meid%3D505a0efa91b44061a20fe777044c0c96%26pid%3D100009%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26sd%3D382015135085Interestingly enough it only works on old windows ( XP and older ).I've also found this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/MPPS-V13-02-USB-OBDII-OBD2-CAVO-SCANNER-SCAN-DIAGNOSI-INTERFACCIA-TESTER-AL-K8U0-/282434925573?hash=item41c26ef405:g:zEIAAOSwRUhY8xFkWhich is more targeted towards the tuner community and i'm thinking to myself if this would read and clear the ABS fault.It's also supposedly compatible with SAAB.I've been looking through the reviews and they're either good or bad on these things, there's surprisingly little in between.Especially on the blue BT ones the reviews are very mixed, main problem being incompatibility and inconsistency.I'm interested to know if any of you have tried any of these or other cheapo OBD2 scanners.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 01:11:44 am
content: While I do not have any of the mentioned scanners I have a number of "low cost" scanners, ranging in price from $20 US up to $150 US. They all work reasonably well for OBD II functions. The biggest difference is that the lowest cost scanner is painfully slow, and merely reports trouble codes, it does not translate the codes into natural language like "Misfire in cylinder 4". The lowest cost one also does not report live data which can be very useful in diagnosing problems.Unfortunately resetting the ABS system is not an OBD II function. The higher priced and newer scanners claim CAN bus capability which is normally where ABS functions are controlled, but only work for newer vehicles. No help for me on my pre-2000 vehicles, and probably not for you on your 1996 vehicle.I would carefully check in automotive forums to verify that a particular scanner will do the functions you want on your model car before committing. There are scanners out there which will work for almost everything, but the ones I am aware of cost several hundred dollars for the hardware and software to support a single manufacturer, and will cost in four figure values to support a wide range of manufacturers.

author: Silveruser
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 01:34:43 am
content: I bought one of the cheap bluetooth ones a couple years ago to work with my phone. It basically works as advertised.As CatalinaWOW said ABS is not a function of the basic scanners. I also had an Innova scanner and upgraded it to get the ABS function a couple years ago. You might want to check carefully for the ABS function and the vehicle or find someone local that has one and will work for favours.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 07:56:38 am
content: Well as luck would have it i found one of these ELM327 scanners in the flea market today for 3€.The main reason i bought it actually was that the innards looked rather different from the ones you find on ebay, aliexpress, etc.The bluetooth module in the one i got is separate and seems to be the same kind of bluetooth module used in the genuine ELM327 scanners:http://jan.peman.com/hacks/elmBT2can/Just peeking through the blue plastic inside i can see a chip with a relatively high pin count under the bluetooth module.At first it looked like a CAN bus controller, the kind that you would find in the cheapo fake ones but the pin count was much higher, leading me to believe that this might be a PIC micro.Next to the chip i can see five contact points, presumably the programming interface.Of course this being a flea market find it could be dead as a dodo for all i know, we'll see.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 04:06:43 am
content: I've got one of the ELM Bluetooth scanners and it does read codes and reset the service engine light but ABS stuff is definitely beyond its purview. Luckily I know a guy with an auto service shop (who I've done a few machining favors for) that can do all that for me with his Snap-On system if I ever need it.

author: obd.tech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2017, 09:43:55 pm
content: Taa Daa .... something i can help with :-) .... obd.tech!Best low cost, high spec tool is a Launch Easydiag BT module to use with an Android phone .... and then buy the Manufacturer specific software for what cars you need to work on (About $40 each). The easidiag Plus comes with 2 softwares in the bundle.Good tool that i use most days (I have full makes activated)Hope this helps you guys out there

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2017, 02:30:40 am
content: Bluetooth ones don't seem to work with Apple devices. You need a wifi version for that.

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2017, 09:23:53 pm
content: I'm finally done fixing my car and had a chance to try out the ELM327 scanner that i bought at the flea market.It does seem to work pretty well, and read every fault code that my car had.Well, there was only one and the ELM327 thingy got rid of ittake that intake air temp sensor !It also displays all of the parameters of the engine ie. RPM, boost pressure, O2sensor, all the temps and many more things.It's a pretty cool thingy to have, seeing all those numbers and graphs brought a smile to my face, so i say it was worth getting.

author: agehall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 06:22:17 am
content: But could you reset the ABS codes with that scanner? I was pretty sure you need a TechII to do that.

author: dorin
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 07:12:53 am
content: Everyone talking about clearing the errors.. but what about the actual faults behind them, does anyone bother fixing those too?

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 07:39:06 am
content: Quote from: agehall on August 25, 2017, 06:22:17 amTurns out the previous owner had somehow broken the plastic bracket holding the ABS sensor in place so i quickly fabricated a metal one and the ABS fault went away as soon as the car started rolling.

author: agehall
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 08:01:35 am
content: Quote from: dorin on August 25, 2017, 07:12:53 amA lot of times, the error is permanently set in the ECU and even if you fix the fault, the error will show up on your dashboard. If you don't fix the actual problem and just clear the error in the ECU, it will come back almost right away.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 02:50:53 pm
content: I bought one, just to try it. I guess it is working, but there are no errors with it. Maybe the windows phone app is a lackluster, and not showing everything.I dont dare plugging it in, when the car is running though.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2017, 05:05:52 pm
content: There are many times when clearing the errors is appropriate.1. When you have fixed the problem. Often the ECU will figure it out and clear the code, but sometimes it takes quite a few driving cycles. Better to clear the error and allow the one bit display to warn you if something new crops up.2. The error is a warning - not a real error. In some models the warning light is set when a fixed number of miles is passed indicating that service is due. In one pernicious case an electronic counter in a module trips and the only way to reset it is to replace the module-even if nothing is wrong or if all service recommended at that mileage has been performed.3. Intermittent failures - It is good to have an indicator that the fault has returned to the fault state so you can actually diagnose it rather than chasing snarks. I have had this occur when there are several possible causes for the error code, and all checked out good. Clearing the codes and driving the vehicle let me know several weeks later that the fault had gone bad again. Still no go at diagnosis time. But a few cycles of this later it finally stuck around to be caught and repaired.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 02:44:57 am
content: Exquisite? Why?

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2017, 03:25:05 am
content: I bought an US$80 unit from Harbor Freight. Next one up for $110 also does ABS. I've been quite pleased with what I got. It correctly reported a problem which turned out to be caused by a cracked vacuum hose. It gives a human readable, but OEM inscrutable message. "Intake manifold runner stuck open." It has a data logging function as well as a graphic performance display. Also has a warning not to drive and look at the display ;-)

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2017, 07:00:44 am
content: I bought a $25 scanner a while back to diagnose my other half's car, it worked fine and gave me the codes which I was easily able to look up online.In many ways I like the OBD-I in my car better, it's a bit more primitive but no reader is necessary. You just plug a jumper into a test socket and it blinks the codes out on an LED, everything is built into the car.

author: eeviking
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2017, 07:12:44 pm
content: Can anyone recommend something that can read diesel filter info on a 2017 GM Opel Astra K ?I only have a cheap ELM327 clone.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 09:49:12 pm
content: I've been meaning to get a cheap OBD2 wifi dongle to show readouts on my iPhone 5c while I drive plus look at various bits of data or codes. Can anyone recommend anything? I heard that for iPhone apps it is better to use a Wifi-enabled dongle. Searching eBay for "obd2 wifi" I found a bunch of cheap Chinese ones on eBay for under $10 like these:https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELM327-WiFi-Car-Diagnostic-Scanner-OBDII-OBD2-Code-Reader-Tool-for-iOS-Android/172834026912?hash=item283db5f5a0:m:mkjlVxEuowrp50LQVaJEt-AThere is also a smaller transparent-blue cased one, plus other variations all varying from $3-4 up to $8-10. Do these work with iPhone apps and are there any free OBD iPhone apps that will provide some usefulness to see some of the real-time engine data, or log, or look up diagnostic codes? Any recommendations for a free iPhone app that will work with one of these scanners?I'm not a mechanic nor do I plan to do any of my own repairs. I just want some more feedback in the car when I drive and see how the car is performing, not spend a fortune and not screw up my car in any way or my phone either. Mostly just for some added fun while driving and something to display on my iPhone. Any suggestions would be helpful from you experience.

author: Avacee
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 11:18:23 pm
content: Appreciate you mentioned iPhone several times but if you've an android tablet/phone lying around I can recommend TorquePro (Ian Hawkins) that does exactly what you want.There's a free version but I think that doesn't work with bluetooth and requires an OBD2 cable but the Paid for version definitely works with cheap ELM327's.What I bought:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-OBD2-ELM327-V1-5-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-Android-Torque-Auto-Scan-Tool-OBD-II/401074914448Warning: There's an app on the apple store with the same TorquePro name and logo but its by Yasar Aygun and appears to be a fraudulent rip-off with sod all functionality.

author: ketimoi
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2018, 06:02:08 am
content: I tried a few cheap obd2 scanners. Sorry to say, most of them not worked. Not work means they cannot find out the problems. They also do not provide details of the problem and their solution. After that, I bought Innova 3100 obd2 scanner. Now I understand that a quality product how makes life much easier. You can check some qualityobd2scanners.orghere and those are really affordable.

author: Gazz292
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 15, 2018, 05:40:08 pm
content: I've had a little play with the clone obdii scanner thing,i have a vauxhall (opel/GM/Holden) meriva B, and originally had a fault where the engine was going into low power mode,I bought an "op-com" which is an opel/vauxhall specific devise, the real ones are about 800 euro's, but clone ones are available from 10 pounds upwards on ebay (avoid the ones claiming firmware/software versions over 1.7, they are faked to make you think they are newest ones, the absolutel latest op-com clone is firmware V1.71, and software V160115a)i went for a HQ clone from someone on a vauxhall forum who provided help setting it up if needed etc.This devise plugs into the obdii port and the usb port of a laptop running the op-com software, and allows you to do quite a lot of things a dealer level code scanner will do,It diagnosed my fault... variable vane sensor on the turbo out of calibration, it was the variable vane lever seized... i free'd it off and it's worked fine ever since... the dealer cure for that fault code is to fit a new turbo assembly, as the vane position sensor is not available separately!!!When i was getting high EGR readings and low DPF back pressure readings reported by the op-com, this turned out to be a hole in the DPF sample pipe, a 100 pound part... fixed with some 8mm fuel pipe for pennys, a common fix.Then i got into adding parts from higher spec cars to mine, and the op-com was struggeling to do what i wanted,so i bought a clone Tech2 unit from china, this is a clone of the unit the main dealers use on my car (the astra's use an MDI.. but my car is weird it kept with the Tech2 until 2014 model year, whereas astras and corsas were using MDI's since about 2009)The clone Tech2 cost me £280, i bought it with a credit card via paypal, but have had no issues with it, worked straight out the box, and i have since added quite a few items that would have needed trips to the main dealer to have them enabled (But, vauxhall are getting arsey and refusing to do this nowadays, saying owners are not to take their car out of delivered spec!!)I can access every single part on my car now, alter things, add new parts, divorce old parts if needed, run all the tuning and calibration routines etc,overkill for most people i guess, but that's the kind of person i am,

author: Anamie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 11:56:44 am
content: The BCM, DCM, and SRS systems are only gotten with the more expensive scanners - that said, the expense is more the software than the hardware. It is rumored that the cheap, Chinese scanners can do most of what the $5k plus scanners can do - but keep firmly in mind that the difference between validated and buying a new computer is generally wrapped up in the price... Quite frankly, you'd be better off throwing $100 at your local mechanic (who is paying off the snap-on $7,500 scanner) then you would buying a cheap, Chinese scanner. I'm sure there are people that are lucky and don't have problems - honestly, I wouldn't risk it.... especially since they may have to program a new computer for you once the diagnosis is complete.The experience comes because my SRS computer died (it thought my rig had rolled when it hadn't). It require a new VIN burned into a new chip. One other thing, when you pay a mechanic to diagnose, you get (the good mechanics) a person standing behind their work - with my SRS, it went from solid fault to intermittent fault (which was probably the cause of the original failure)... he had to go through and clean every pin in the SRS system to get the codes to stop - all of which, didn't cost me anything more because he and I bought understood that the computer may not have been bad.... I'll tell you what, that was a breathtaking amount of work he did for free....There are 3 basic classes of scanners. First is the generic OBDII readers ($75-$150) such as the Innova (BTW I wouldn't trust that the Innova really reads MB proprietary codes unless its documentation specifically states so, or someone can confirm by testing.) Then come the more advanced reader-only devices such as the Autel 802https://10carbest.com/best-obd2-scanner($300-500) that can read manufacturer-specific PIDs and live data (such as DPF efficiency, etc.) and last the true bidirectional models (such as the MaxiDAS) that can send diagnostic commands as well as read which start at around $1,000 and go up (way up) from there.Autel will be the best bang for the buck over Innova and Actron (Bosch).Autel is based in China vs. Innova and Actron/Bosch being U.S. based. All units are made in China, regardless. Customer support seems to run hot/cold with all three based on review sites. All three answered my simple emails within 1 business day.I like watching a video on YouTube on such topics, I'll leave you one of them here, I hope it will useful to someonePoint is, you may be saving pennies to spend dollars.

author: aandrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2018, 04:08:25 pm
content: All an ELM327 is is a programmed PIC; nothing more.The cheapest scanners are just an ELM327 clone that can talk CAN only. More expensive tools might be able to hit the older OBD2 interfaces (K-line, etc.) as well. Generally the more you pay the better quality of hardware as well, including protection circuits, etc.After that though ... it's all software. Most proprietary tools just have better software which can talk the proprietary protocol extensions which get you the fancy stuff. I have heard that some higher-end cars will have additional buses on the connector which a generic tool won't see because they're not connected to the right pins.My car (2015 Passat TDI) and I expect most modern cars have the OBD port connected to a gateway controller which shuttles messages to the multiple CAN/LIN buses in the car. Of course, this is all well and truly beyond OBD-II so to get at them, or to program the car to accept a new device you will have to use the vendor-specific protocol extensions. But again, 99.9% of the time this is only a software change and the hardware is absolutely identical.All that being said: if you're trying to do anything with OBD-II other than check codes and reset them, you're going to need to do more homework, but if it's only the codes/clearing you're after and your car has CAN on the OBD-II port, a $5 scanner and the free android or apple software will be plenty.BTW: early BT readers used BT and not BLE which is why Apple devices couldn't talk to them; almost everything you can buy these days that is BT is actually BLE and works fine with any phone.

author: glarsson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2018, 05:51:02 pm
content: Quote from: aandrew on October 30, 2018, 04:08:25 pmConfirmed. I have access to two busses via the OBD2 connector. The scanner I use (not generic) connects to both busses and can read and reset fault codes for all bus connected control units (there are quite a lot of them).

author: Refrigerator
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2018, 08:43:57 pm
content: The OBDII interface codes are the secret sauce and every manufacturer has their own recipe, which is why the proper readers that can read everything cost so damn muchFrankly, the ELM327 reader i have is plenty enough for me, it doesn't dig any of the proprietary codes out but it comes in handy every now and then.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2018, 10:43:27 pm
content: If you have basic automotive knowledge and one of the scanners that can play live OBD II data you can find and repair a great many things that go wrong with a car. One has saved me many, many times its cost. It is frustrating that you can't do all of the tests called out in the service manuals without one of the high cost scanners, but there is often a way to apply a little brain power and time to get around the problem.The fancy scanners let the service operations get away with less skilled help and makes productivity higher for all their staff, even the good ones. So they do make sense in that environment.

author: mojoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 01:51:50 am
content: I bought this one two years ago. It works great on my Android tablet, using Torque Pro / Torque Scan.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 02:55:39 am
content: Is there any web site or directory of what scanners can read what codes on what cars?

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 05:27:10 am
content: I haven't found anything reliable. It's not too surprising, the field is changing rapidly. At least you can go to the websites of the better vendors and find if your car is covered by their product, and what services are provided. At the lower end of the market the information is much more general and misleading. Usually something like a check box on CAN bus interface, which turns out to mean it can read some messages on some models and years of some brand of car.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 07:05:44 am
content: my car's engine sign is playing up since few months now, there are some sensor's cable broken, fixed some but sign still lit sometime. and then i saw this thread, so i ordered Foxwell brand NT650 (still on its way) based on this guy's lead (i just dont get why he got banned)Quote from: ketimoi on March 01, 2018, 06:02:08 amthe recommended cheaper Foxwell NT301 i believe supports many (or all?) cars but only basic or standard OBDII commands/codes for all cars i guess (from me reading internet and youtube research). since i want standalone LCD, NT650 is cheapest with largest LCD in Foxwell line but lack of "diagnosis" feature, not really sure what it is or how usefull it is since NT650 can also read/reset DTC/ABS/SRS. the full featured with diagnosis function is NT644 Pro but thats almost double the price, i already experience some money damage ordering NT650. and another advice from people in the net, is better to get something can read/reset abs srs etc the more advanced feature, so thats why i upped the budget from NT301. few years back i experienced ABS sign lit up, after checking in workshop and $10 damage by connecting OBDII device alone, it turned out only the brake switch is dirty, simple clean up by them fixed it and DTC resetted.NT650 has not yet youtube review so far so i guess its new. (i just found one dated 2 days ago in french or what?) so i want to give a try, since it has many menu so its tempting. another cheaper version is NT630, it seems many features as well with many car support (see youtube review below) even our local car brands. but its small screen so i removed from my shortlist. NT650 by logic should has more feature than NT630, it has EPB SAS BMS TPS DPF ABS SRS and whatever they are. but lets see how it goes, since selecting model from Foxwell line alone is like selecting which one to buy between orange or apple or banana or pineapple, its very hard to decide since one device may have another feature not available in another model, but missing a feature that the other model has. its like if you want to have complete functions, you need to buy them all, it sucks.NT630 car's logo support listthe NT650 in French (or Brazil? no idea) 2 days ago..

author: TheNewLab
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2019, 07:53:37 am
content: yeah, I was considering the Foxwell NT650. They now have a NT644 Pro..over $600. However the NT650 can be upgraded to NT644 for $120 and the NT644 Pro for I think $350.I have looked at a number of brands and models. Wanted more than a OBDII reader. I ended up getting the NT644 because I found one that was less than the NT650 and the upgrade combined. Has lot of features, well reviewed. and only Foxwell offers lifetime upgrades..(for newer models coming out.) and Paid upgrade to the NT644 Pro.Looked at Launch, Autel MaxiCOM, a number of the Bluetooth, software and smart phone scanners, some Chinese brand labeled.for my needs the Foxwell was the best bang for buck..However, I was looking for some more advanced features. like Modes 1-10, live tracking, report generating, a number of hard to find tests and reprogramming, the clincher was the lifetime updates.Also needed something for multiple makes/models and the newer hybrid models.RE: older XP, as far as I understand. if have Win 7, it will run XP programs...only certain gaming apps have difficulty. I am just using WINE in Ubuntu LinuxHope some of this helps any more recent interests

author: brandonTD
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2019, 03:26:10 pm
content: Anamie, well, I just needed something, that could help me in the transformation of your smartphone and tablet into an automotive scan tool of professional grade. The previous OBD I had - couldn't offer me such thing. But then I found really great article out there (https://bestforacar.com/top-5-best-bluetooth-obd2-adapters-and-scanners/) with great detailed comparison of the TOP bluetooth adapters and scanners. Helped me a lot.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2019, 09:40:53 pm
content: Quote from: brandonTD on April 10, 2019, 03:26:10 pmNone of these is "professional grade". All five are OBDII readers, which can help a great deal in maintaining an auto. But can't do the same tests the pro grade tools do. The cheapest pro grade tools I have come across run $1000 or up.If you can live with a package that only works on a single car maker or small group of smaller automakers Autoenginuity can be had for $300-$500 depending on the maker group.