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.

My trusty ford fiesta mk6 was not feeling to well, the Engine management light suddenly illuminated one morning.The seemed to be running fine but it stayed lit for a few days.I was worried about it, so really needed to find out what the fault was.After a bit of research I realised I needed a Obd11 fault reading device.I searched the Web for devices and found the torque elm obd11 on amazon, read the reviews from customers and was impressed by the positive feedback, I also have to mention the price of the torque elm was a little discerning, a Bluetooth connection obd11 fault reader for under a tenner.I bit the bullet and ordered one, my logic was if I got the EML fault code off my fiesta then it was worth the purchase price.The torque arrived next day, I read the instructions also I remembered that a lot of the reviewers mentioned the torque apps, one was free the torque pro version has to purchased.People recommend the Pro version so I purchased the app for £2.95.OK! Let's be honest! This product is the best automotive accessory purchase I have evermade, it has exceeded all my expectations, I plugged it in to my cars obd 11 port,connected it via Bluetooth, which was quick once I realised you gave to pair it on your smart phone.Once connected, I opened the torque Pro app and went to Amber EML icon on the app, it immediately came up with the fault on my fiesta (PL0037) which is a oxygen sensor heater error.The app let's you search the details of the EML faults via a brilliant link which gives a very detailed and technical explanation to the diagnostic engine code fault.You can have the device plugged in to your cars obd11 port while the cars engine is running which provides you with real time diagnostics.Like I said I am very impressed with this little device and is worth every penny.

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.