Smart phone fault code reader

[spud989]

Seen this on another forum:

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/cartrip



Anyone got one?

Reckon it's a viable alternative to dealers and getting your own proper equipment for your average petrolhead?

[coley20]

Interesting - if they work!

[ZOLLAR]

Mmmm interesting, where would I find an " OBD-II port " on my car?.

[kambites]

ZOLLAR said:

Mmmm interesting, where would I find an " OBD-II port " on my car?.

Somewhere in the cabin, if it's new enough to have one.

I bought an OBD-II USB dongle for 20 quid from ebay which I plug into my laptop. Seems to work. I can't see a price for that smartphone one.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 12th January 18:17

[soad]

coley20 said:

Interesting - if they work!

Ditto - first time i've heard of these.

[kambites]

i think OBD-II is just RS232 so even 20 quid is a bit of a rip off, to be honest.

[Mroad]

Useful but certainly not an alternative to dealer kit as it is limited to OBD-II data.
Similar kit has been around awhile for the iphone, check out the Rev app combined with OBD-II dongles.

[ZOLLAR]

kambites said:

ZOLLAR said:

Mmmm interesting, where would I find an " OBD-II port " on my car?.

Somewhere in the cabin, if it's new enough to have one.

I bought an OBD-II USB dongle for 20 quid off ebay which I plug into my laptop. Seems to work.

Edited by kambites on Wednesday 12th January 18:16

Have a 52 plate vauxhall astra convertible, not sure where it would be will have to have a look.

[kambites]

ZOLLAR said:

Have a 52 plate vauxhall astra convertible, not sure where it would be will have to have a look.

It was mandatory for cars sold in the EU from 2001, so it should have one.

They can be anywhere in the cabin, pretty much. The Lotus' is in the bottom of the passenger footwell, dangling from the dashboard, the Punto's is in the fuse box which is behind a panel by the driver's right knee.

[Crafty_]

• might* be underneath the handbrake lever, it is on astra h.

[ZOLLAR]

kambites said:

ZOLLAR said:

Have a 52 plate vauxhall astra convertible, not sure where it would be will have to have a look.

It was mandatory for cars sold in the EU from 2001, so it should have one.

They can be anywhere in the cabin, pretty much. The Lotus' is in the bottom of the passenger footwell, dangling from the dashboard, the Punto's is in the fuse box which is behind a panel by the driver's right knee.

Thanks , currently trying to find out where it is on google

[Deva Link]

Crafty_ said:

*might* be underneath the handbrake lever, it is on astra h.

Yep - you have to pull the cover that's underneath the handbrake off, and it's there.

[ZOLLAR]

Deva Link said:

Crafty_ said:

*might* be underneath the handbrake lever, it is on astra h.

Yep - you have to pull the cover that's underneath the handbrake off, and it's there.

Thanks, I'll have a look when I get home!.

[Murdoc]

kambites said:

i think OBD-II is just RS232 so even 20 quid is a bit of a rip off, to be honest.

Nope it's CAN.

[old No 1]

Sould be easily accessed from the drivers seat and less than 1 metre away iirc

Earlier versions were just OBD2 but you need a diff one if its CANbus.
VAGcom is good software for all VAG group cars

Its freeware software just search for it and you can even get the diagram to make the lead.

Its mainly emissions based info but VAGcom does more as do more expensive software packages

[lescombes]

I got an Autel.... nice bit of kit...works on all motors and I check friends/family...their mates etc for £10...with printout....most of the time it's a sensor gone tits up....simple...cost me £60...got me money back already...
As for where to find a port....many of the new cars have 'em inside the glovebox under a cover or similar....

[Cost Captain]

I'm not too sure about this to be honest, I appreciate an iPhone is a mentally powerful comnputer for the size and price, but a Bosch KTS200 I used to use at work was a dedicated engine management tool, and it was quite slow.

I'd be interested to try it out though.

[kambites]

Murdoc said:

kambites said:

i think OBD-II is just RS232 so even 20 quid is a bit of a rip off, to be honest.

Nope it's CAN.

Ah OK. Still, a very simple hardware layer and slow enough that the signalling can easily be done in software.