Car diagnostics with Torque App/OBDII scanner

[Simon Pieman]

I'm not ignoring the Airbag light. The garage have now reset it off twice and charged me for the privilege. It’s a dodgy sensor that will probably need to be replaced.

I wasn't really aiming at you dear

[Honkytonk]

I wasn't really aiming at you dear

Yeah, that was probably aimed in my direction. Obviously I don't want to dick around with important/dangerous stuff like the airbag, but the fact it's the same light for that and the seatbelt tenstioners, and that I only noticed it going on and off intermittently when I drove back from Surrey a couple of days ago (not seen it since...) makes me more prone to believe it's a sensor fault as opposed to an actual problem, particularly as it's just flown through its MOT.

I'm gonna wait and see if it re-appears. I also happen to know several friendly neighbourhood repairmen so might ask if I can borrow one of their scanners to have a look before shelling out for anything.

[Sippo]

It could be the switch under the drivers seat. If it becomes disconnected the light will come on, and the only way of getting rid of it is via plugging a device in.

[Bewster]

I wasn't really aiming at you dear

That's ok, I agree with you

[Bewster]

What can Bewster? Same happens on my old mans citreon c4

Its a Honda CRV. Its the front left sensor

[Samdy Gray]

Turned up today, downloaded the app, paired it up and as thought it confirmed the glow plug fault.

Car still starts and runs fine so can't be arsed to change it. Plus on my car, Vauxhall in their infinite wisdom decided to site the glow plugs on the back of the engine facing the bulkhead, below the fuel rail in the most awkward place ever.

[Bewster]

Turned up today, downloaded the app, paired it up and as thought it confirmed the glow plug fault.

Car still starts and runs fine so can't be arsed to change it. Plus on my car, Vauxhall in their infinite wisdom decided to site the glow plugs on the back of the engine facing the bulkhead, below the fuel rail in the most awkward place ever.

Still havent got mine 

Good work though Sam

[Samdy Gray]

I bought mine from eBay. Exact same one as Si linked to, but a few quid cheaper and free delivery

[Tails]

Might have to get one of these! Is it easy to use? Seems pretty straightforward....

[Bewster]

I bought mine from eBay. Exact same one as Si linked to, but a few quid cheaper and free delivery

Thatl'll be why then

[Simon Pieman]

It is just a standard port somewhere in your car. In my Astra there is a plastic panel underneath the handbrake which needs prising up and the port is beneath that. In my brother’s Corsa the port is beneath the heater controls and you only have to pull out the port cover/cap with your fingers. Should be easy to find the location of your OBD port by google.

Then it’s simply a case of just plug into the port, pair the scanner with your phone (via Bluetooth) and then start the Torque app. With the key turned to point II on the ignition barrel the scanner/Torque will connect to the ECU and all sorts can be done. For simple fault code reading and clearing it’s very simple though. If you have a newer car with a canbus system I would check whether it will work with the particular scanner in question. Reading reviews and googling your car model (and year) and ‘OBD scanner Torque App’ should tell you all you need to know.

The realtime information of your car’s data is a little bit trickier to use, but not too difficult to get the hang off. I suspect this is probably beyond what most people will be interested in.

Although the realtime information is quality, you should remove the scanner from the port when not using the car because the port is constantly powered, even with ignition off. This means that that the Bluetooth transmitter within the scanner could theoretically drain your battery. There are pricier scanners (£50+) which switch off Bluetooth when there is no connection to the ECU if you did want to leave it plugged in all of the time.

[Tails]

Cheers for that Si, think I will be investing in one

[Sippo]

This scanner doesn't clear faults does it? It just scans on what issues are?

For example, can you remove the 'service' indicator?

[Simon Pieman]

This scanner doesn't clear faults does it? It just scans on what issues are?

For example, can you remove the 'service' indicator?

Did you actually bother reading the other posts? The scanner just communicates with the ECU and the software (in this case the Android App "Torque Pro").

Torque Pro allows you to scan for fault codes and clear them. So yes it does clear faults - I myself have found three faults, rectified the issues and cleared the codes which have not recurred.

A service indicator is not a fault and would require manufacturer specific software in a lot of cases, a bit like changing the mileage on the clocks. However, on my car if I hold the odometer reset button down whilst turning ignition on it clears the service indicator, so there are workarounds. Google or a Haynes manual will tell you the answer.

[Simon Pieman]

Yeah, that was probably aimed in my direction.

Only just seen this. Nope, not really. I just don't want to give the impression this is a clear and forget tool and people driving around in something which is essentially a hazard to themselves and other road users