Even better is a bluetooth OBDII adapter. That along with the android Torque app and I can pull up any value the PCM puts out on my phone.
If your car is 1996 or later, you should have an ODB2 port (with some exceptions, google your specific car). The port is usually somewhere under the the dash on the driver side, but a quick google search will tell your where yours is for your car. It looks something like this.
I have used this bluetooth version to hook up to my car, and paired it with my android phone. Take a look at the responses to this comment for the various apps that know how to use the data. I liked Torque, personally.
This seems to be the best one out there for $25
Everyone is talking about how awesome and essential it is. Mine should be arriving tomorrow too which is awesome. Good luck!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 with Torque Pro works great on Android.
Buy this one, tried and true:
BAFX Products Android Wireless Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner & Fault Code Reader Diagnostic Scan Tool for Cars & Trucks – for All OBD2 Protocols on All Consumer Vehicles 1996 & Newer https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_XYEZWGX6P15ZBVMYYCS9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
A lot of those don't work with Ford vehicles (as I found out with my truck)
This one does though, and it's still only $24
I bought the Bafx Products one on Amazon, it's a bit on the pricer side at 22 Dollars but the reviews stood out to me and it was an Amazon choice product so it was kind of a no brainier purchase to me. It's been a great purchase and I've had no problems with it, would highly recommend.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_ids0Eb3E077PQ
I have used this on my 07 SE 2.3L and my 17 SE 2.5L that gave me all sorts of useful info using ODB Car Doctor Free.
Sorry I forgot to respond. What worked well far me was the following:
BAFX Bluetooth OBD Scan Tool - $23.99 (I've seen them price it as low as $19.99 though depending on the day, may be worth watching the amazon page for a couple days)
Carista Android app - free download but it costs $20 to unlock the feature that actually lets you apply new settings.
I can vouch for this combination as I was able to successfully use it to configure options (such as windows and fog lights) in my CC. No problems. The only catch is that they claim the BAFX tool only works with Android. I have an Android phone so it's not an issue for me. If you have an iPhone you may have to look for a different tool. Carista actually sells one on Amazon but it's pricier ($40 last time I checked).
This won't get you the full array of features of a real VAG-COM but it's also $200 cheaper.
This is the one I got, along with the Torque Pro App on my samsung GS5, total of <$30 investment and makes it WAY easier to understand what is going on in your car. If you're in America and your car was made after 1996, it should have an OBD2 port
This is the scan tool I used. I had the blue one that everyone uses, and if died on 2nd use.
BAFX Products Android Wireless Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner & Fault Code Reader Diagnostic Scan Tool for Cars & Trucks – for All OBD2 Protocols on All Consumer Vehicles 1996 & Newer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_5R89WVH8JECJ8W182N10?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I've got this one. You'll also need an app. I use Torque Pro
This is the one I've got. The app I use is called TorquePro (its like 4 bucks)
If it's just a reader, this has never let me down. I've owned it for years. Looks like they've updated it since then too.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Hmmm...any ODB2 reader should connect to the ecu and read the code.
I bought this one in Amazon, but you need an Android. Works great and I can get live data in my 2011 Lancer ES
https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Wireless-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B005NLQAHS?ref_=ast_bbp_dp
I second the BAFX tool. Had no issues with the tool would recommend the free Torque app for Android. You can see what all the sensors are reading in real time. Really useful when my dad swapped two identical connectors putting a Honda back together.
BAFX tool
I got this one to use with Tune ECU.
Can't recommend Torque enough. Those ELM327 BlueTooth dongles are super cheap on Amazon and some work better than others. I personally have this one and it seems to work really well.
There are a lot of products based on Elm327 firmware but the vast majority that are sold on Amazon are based on pirated v1.0 firmware that was extremely buggy (the latest version should be good to go). Here's a good writeup of how this happened in case you're interested: https://timyouard.wordpress.com/2015/09/02/disection-of-a-counterfeit-elm327-obdii-adapter-from-china/
If you really, REALLY want an elm327 based product, research the official company's page and find one of the 3rd parties that they actually sell their chips to: https://www.elmelectronics.com/help/obd/links/
For the love of God, DON'T order any elm product on Amazon (like these https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HXGX8V6/, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQ8GHG3/, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/). ELM Electronics sells just their chips alone for $21 each, do you really think a genuine product is going to be $12? The genuine ELM based products with current firmware are $50-$100.
If I were to use a wireless scanner, which I personally wouldn't do, I would probably get a bluedriver. It's $100 and recommended by many people. I have no personal experience with it but people say it's good.
I personally have an HDS HIM clone. It lets me read proprietary Honda codes, do whatever kinds of ECU tests I want to do, capture snapshots, basically do whatever I need it to do. Like there's one cool feature that lets me turn off individual spark plugs (or all spark plugs) if I want to do compression tests, check faulty plugs, etc. without disconnecting plugs. It does require that I have a laptop in the car if I want to save more than like 30 seconds of data though.
Yes, you want the BFX one on Amazon for ~$24 IIRC on the price, but it's definitely that one. Use it myself, works like a charm. Gotta start the bike and use the killswitch to stop the motor, but leaving the electronics on, and then you can do the things. Reset the service interval reminder, flush the ABS, etc. For things the bike's running for like throttle body balancing, easy enough to do too.
Edit: This is it: https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Wireless-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B005NLQAHS
If I buy one like this, can I leave it plugged in all the time? I have one currently that I have to plug in and unplug every time I want to use it. Not that that's a huge issue - it's right in front of the gas pedal - but if I can find a small form-factor one I wouldn't mind leaving it connected at all times.
I use this one. Works good. I already had it before I bought the Leaf
Bafx Products - For Android Only... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
TorquePro app, and this OBD2 adapter:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005NLQAHS?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
There are also some extra/advanced plugins for Hyundai once you install Torque.
I'd get a scanner anyway. Search for OBD2 scanner on Amazon. My friend suggested it and it has been a lifesaver - you know you're not getting duped by mechanics at least.
I use this.
Torque pro and BAFX Products - Wireless... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Good advice.
He could go with an app like Torque for Android $5, and buy this from amazon for $24.
Boom datalogging, and code reader ability for less than 30 bucks. ... and there are many other apps out there if Torque isn't to your liking.
Amazon bafx
BAFX Wireless Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner Code Reader & Diagnostic Tool – for Android - Car Scanner for All Cars, Trucks & Autos 1996 or Newer in USA – Elm327 Compatible OBDII Scan Tool https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005NLQAHS/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_210RSZA3CHZ78ZXE9FYE
If it were real. I would worry it's a scam at $3.44.
Here's the one I use with Torque:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NLQAHS
Also, did you get your rough running issue fixed?
https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-34t5-Bluetooth-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS
This is the exact one I have. Connects to Bluetooth on your phone (only works with Android) and you download whichever app you fancy. I use torque lite to read the codes
