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OBDII wifi dongle and Ipad app

21K views 75 replies 21 participants last post by  J33Pster 
#1 ·
Well we run the iPad for the off road mapping as well as highway maps, plus stream music and podcasts. All good.
I have an idea to extend the technology to monitoring vehicle data from time to time. We do a lot of towing and I already watch the engine water and transmission temps but there is lots more going on.
I do have an OBDII plugin reader that lives down beside the spare tyre, and thats all very well but not practical on the go.
There are numerous OBD apps around that will provide realtime info as you travel and I was wondering if anyone has user feedback they could provide.

I understand I need a wifi dongle for the iPad, but don't have much idea of a suitable iPad app.

Anyone out there using this?
John
 
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#2 · (Edited)
#3 · (Edited)
Thanks Snuke, I know there are lots around but the Chinglish descriptions on Ebay make me a bit wary.

As far as I know, only the wifi dongles will work with an iPad - they don't successfully bluetooth across apparently.

I was hoping that some user experience of a particular app and feedback may be available.
john
 
#9 ·
The elm 327 is cheap and works well but not with ios devices. Movi works on a mac with the elm 327, I use it on my mbp and macbook air fine with the bluetooth elm 327.

Those wanting to use a device with the ios device, iphone, ipad or ipod must buy the wifi device as the bluetooth is a licensing issue with apple.

It is simple enough to obtain an old android device to do the job. It doesn't have to be activated as a phone and people upgrade and lay to rest their old androids often.

As info.
 
#10 ·
The elm 327 is cheap and works well but not with ios devices.
You can get ELM327 WiFi which work with iOS and are cheap enough.


Those wanting to use a device with the ios device, iphone, ipad or ipod must buy the wifi device as the bluetooth is a licensing issue with apple.
The GoPoint BT1 is bluetooth and works with iOS. Their BT1A works with both iOS and Android via Bluetooth.
 
#13 ·
I have an Android tablet and bought a BAFX Products Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool from Amazon and the Android Torque app.

Looking at Amazon there are a few wifi odbii dongles that will work with the iPad, but I haven't had any direct experience with any of them so I can't help with a recommendation.
 
#16 ·
#15 ·
It would be nice to have full access to the cars functions.
One day we will be able to reconfigure the entire car and show what we want and where we want it and how we want to use it.
It is very easy to do IF Chrysler allowed it.
 
#21 ·
I am about to embark on this journey of OBDII info, and for an old bloke I find it a bit daunting. So forgive me the simple question I want to ask first up; where does the OBDII device plug in?
I read on another thread that it's near the parking brake pedal, but a quick look there reveals nothing. Do you have to remove covers?
 
#23 ·
Thanks FB. I found it.
I bought a bluetooth ELM327 and I'm trying to link it up with a Samsung S3 without much success.
I did manage to pair the two, but then they wouldn't connect, so I unpaired them and now can't get them to play with each other again. (I have made my phone visible).
Does it sound as though I may have bought an incompatible unit, or a faulty one?
 
#27 ·
Thanks FB. I found it.
I bought a bluetooth ELM327 and I'm trying to link it up with a Samsung S3 without much success.
Here is a link to the connecting page on the torque WIki

Getting Started - Torque OBD2 Wiki

You will need to know the pairing code for your adapter to pair successfully, if you got a CD with it, the code may be on it somewhere. Usual ones are 0000 and 1234, I have seen 6789 also

good luck
 
#28 · (Edited)
I have been using the ELM WiFi device with my mini iPad running "Dash Command" for most of the last 2,000 klms of towing.
I have not had a single issue with this setup. It works very well indeed, and connects straight away, every time.

At the moment I am still experimenting on what to display when driving, currently watching Boost, Coolant Temp, and EGT, still learning as I go but great to have that info available. There is a huge range of info to choose- I would love to find out if any DPF info is available, but yet to find that in the mountains of info listed.
(I also have a map App running and "four finger swipe" between maps and Dash Command as required.)
It is interesting with the coolant that the temp goes straight to about 97C which is obviously where the thermostat starts to open. The hottest I have seen on a hill is 107C -with a lot of analogue gauge movement towards H- but obviously not an issue. 107C is waaay below boiling point for pressurised coolant. (Most cars have "dumbed down" gauges which don't move for such temp ranges.)

The only downside to the ELM WiFi is that it is live 24/7, ignition on or off, so would cause perhaps significant battery dischage, which might be an issue if not driven daily.
I don't know how much power it uses, but will connect a clamp meter at some stage to find out.

Cya
 
#29 ·
I got mine working too now thanks to advice from contributors on here. Interestingly, I tried it on my BA Falcon ute, and can't get a voltage reading - can't figure that one out!
What is EGT called on your list? I can't find it on mine, but maybe that's because I bought a $13 dongle on ebay.
If you get a chance to work out power consumption it would be good to know, but I bet it's negligible. Anyway not difficult to remove the dongle when not in use. The hard bit is remembering!
 
#31 ·
Thanks David, for the feedback on your setup. As Snuke noted, I've also seen ads for ELM27 wifi dongles that switch on/off with the ignition. They are expensive little critters though compared to your powered on all the time unit, but that's all relative.
Enjoy the journey while you are tweaking.
John
 
#32 · (Edited)
Blackadder said
"
What is EGT called on your list? I can't find it on mine, but maybe that's because I bought a $13 dongle on ebay.
$13 is damn good if it works!

The EGT that I found in the DashCommand gauge edit section is called :
SAE.CATEMP11


I have no idea exactly where it is measured, but somewhere in the pipe near DPF, and downstream of the turbo I would guess. I don't of course know what temps are acceptable, but it still gives me a good idea when climbing hills etc if a gear and rev change lowers or raises EGT, thus enabling me to minimise it where possible.


(Not all the listed functions work, for example two I've found are voltage and fuel rail pressure. I'm sure there are a lot more.)

PS. & OT. Has anybody looked at fitting a "catch can"? (I know there is a separate thread somewhere.) I pulled the pipe off my PCV pipe and there is a lot of oil in it. That can't be good for the turbo, unless maybe they are designed to handle that??? I'd love to speak to a turbo specialist for an opinion.
 
#33 ·
Blackadder said
"

$13 is damn good if it works!

The EGT that I found in the DashCommand gauge edit section is called :
SAE.CATEMP11


I have no idea exactly where it is measured, but somewhere in the pipe near DPF, and downstream of the turbo I would guess. I don't of course know what temps are acceptable, but it still gives me a good idea when climbing hills etc if a gear and rev change lowers or raises EGT, thus enabling me to minimise it where possible.


(Not all the listed functions work, for example two I've found are voltage and fuel rail pressure. I'm sure there are a lot more.)

PS. & OT. Has anybody looked at fitting a "catch can"? (I know there is a separate thread somewhere.) I pulled the pipe off my PCV pipe and there is a lot of oil in it. That can't be good for the turbo, unless maybe they are designed to handle that??? I'd love to speak to a turbo specialist for an opinion.
Yes it works now that I've figured it out. I'm not sure though whether the actual display content (e.g. EGT) is the dongle, or the app that you use with it.
I would like to be able to display EGT but it definitely doesn't show on my list. I am using "Torque" free version.
It will display voltage on the Jeep but not on a BA Falcon. Obviously some incompatibility there.
Can someone advise whether I need to change apps (and which one) to get EGT, or whether it's down to my $13 dongle.
 
#35 ·
There is no EGT sensor that currently can be viewable by these dongles.
Why do you say that?

I posted:
The EGT that I found in the DashCommand gauge edit section is called :
SAE.CATEMP11
It works for me!
I was using it all day yesterday climbing some very steep grades up and over the local mountain range. Admittedly I don't know exactly where it is measured, but it is somewhere in the exhaust and/or DPF.
 
#36 · (Edited)
The GC CRD has an EGT sensor built in and its reading is visible via ODBII using the Torque App on an Android device with an ELM327 Bluetooth adapter plugged in the diagnostic port. I have no idea if its pre or post turbo but it changes rapidly. I have seen 1200 F at wide open throttle and 8th gear at 70 mph on flat ground runs 650 to 720 F. During DPF Regen the Cat Temp (also visible) and EGT went to 1200 F for several minutes.

Anyone towing should invest in a Torque App setup. I have $30 total invested.

.
I found this on a USA thread on this forum - haven't been able to get mine working yet though - the gauges are there, but no readings. I have an MY13, so maybe the OBDII output is different.

The name of the reading that Futuresystem found sounds like it could be "Cat temp"?
 
#37 ·
Some software may not have the PID to read all the functions of the Jeep.
Each car runs a "generic" PID set, that will show you standard items, but require the correct PID for the specific functions to be displayed.
Sometimes these PIDs can be downloaded from the software vendor and sometimes they are only available to dealers or mechanics.
 
#38 ·
Fatboy said I posted
The GC CRD has an EGT sensor built in and its reading is visible via ODBII using the Torque App on an Android device with an ELM327 Bluetooth adapter plugged in the diagnostic port. I have no idea if its pre or post turbo but it changes rapidly. I have seen 1200 F at wide open throttle and 8th gear at 70 mph on flat ground runs 650 to 720 F. During DPF Regen the Cat Temp (also visible) and EGT went to 1200 F for several minutes.

Anyone towing should invest in a Torque App setup. I have $30 total invested.
Just for clarification, and to avoid any confusion, it wasn't me who posted that...:)
I don't use anything Android. I don't even own anything Android.
My setup is an ELM WiFi dongle and the "Dash Command" app on my iPad.:thumbsup:

Cya
 
#39 ·
Fatboy said I posted

Just for clarification, and to avoid any confusion, it wasn't me who posted that...:)
I don't use anything Android. I don't even own anything Android.
My setup is an ELM WiFi dongle and the "Dash Command" app on my iPad.:thumbsup:

Cya

Sorry about the misquote.

That's great news, my Elm is a Wi-Fi dongle which I have been trying with Android apps, I have just recently download Dashcommand to try with my Ipad - sounds like it will work (as long as the MY13 JGCs have the EGT presented on the interface) I am hoping that very high EGT & Cat temps will be an indicator of a regen in progress - my JGC does not seem to have any display , just a red light after limp mode starts
 
#43 ·
Hi all,
So to have the information from the OBD2 downloaded, the best way is to use WIFI?
I have an android tablet already.
So please correct me if I am wrong, I just purchase a wifi OBD2 dongle, pair the dongle and the tablet together and have an app or programme on the tablet and use this to display the information.
Thanks
JohnW
 
#44 ·
Wifi is really only needed for iPads as they do not support Bluetooth access to the readers. If you have a Droid tablet, you can just get the ELK Bt reader and it will work fine.
My Bt ELK works on my Galaxy Tab, Windows PC and Windows mobile
 
#45 ·
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