Strange typing error

[Char Jackson]

The plan is to give one (scan gauge) to a relative as well.
(Same problem - plenty of stupid lights on car console, plenty
of "1 hour labor charges" to figure out the tires need to be pumped up,
or the gas cap is loose.)

Down here in the States, or at least out here in the Midwestern states, most
of the auto parts stores will either read (and optionally reset) your fault
code(s) at no charge, or they just hand you the reader and ask if you have
any questions on how to use it. Dealers probably still charge for the
privilege of reading a code, but people who go to a dealer for that probably
deserve to be billed.

 

[Char Jackson]

'Tis true.

I was able to turn off a friend's endless backup alarm (in a Prius)
using one, and to settle an argument with another person about whether
the engine in a Prius turns off at reasonable speeds (it does, so he
won!).

Am I correct in thinking there's some kind of dongle/cable that goes between
the smart phone and the OBD-II port? Perhaps, OBD-II on one end and micro
USB on the other end?

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Am I correct in thinking there's some kind of dongle/cable that goes between
the smart phone and the OBD-II port? Perhaps, OBD-II on one end and micro
USB on the other end?

It seems that this post has turned into a Master's Thesis - enjoy

That is one way. Another way (my choice) is via Bluetooth to an Android
phone. The third way that I am aware of is to use a laptop as the
readout & control device, usually via USB, I believe.

There are also devices that are a single system with the readout
connected to the OBD-II plug by a cable. The cable is usually
proprietary, IIRC.

A few months ago I was chatting with a friend about the OBD reader. He
has an iPhone, so I did some research so I could tell him what to look
for, and AFAICT, nothing similar is available for them. All the apps I
could find were code readers that would save the codes in a list so you
could then refer to the list while looking them up offline. I wouldn't
mind if someone could prove that I'm wrong about that by telling us
about real-time software[1] similar to what is available on Android.

I use the paid version of the app called Torque and a ~$20 OBD/Bluetooth
device. I also have two terminal apps on the phone that I have used to
send codes to the car & read the responses. (I didn't find the first
terminal app easy to use.)

There are many scanners at Amazon, all similar in configuration and
price. I think this is the one I got:

http://tinyurl.com/bb88s4l

Here's the free version of Torque on the Android app store:

http://tinyurl.com/byejqwk

Here's the terminal app that I liked:

http://tinyurl.com/aacymy3

Priuses are very popular, so some people have tracked down some code
info for them, and there's stuff for a few other cars too. Generic codes
are more readily available, but each maker has proprietary extensions.

You can Google OBD codes for your specific car to learn that you
probably can't get any

[1] E.g., you can set up the app I have to show engine RPM as you drive
- if you know the code. That is the (ahem) stumbling block in all of
this...

 

[Paul]

Am I correct in thinking there's some kind of dongle/cable that goes between
the smart phone and the OBD-II port? Perhaps, OBD-II on one end and micro
USB on the other end?

It seems that this post has turned into a Master's Thesis - enjoy

That is one way. Another way (my choice) is via Bluetooth to an Android
phone. The third way that I am aware of is to use a laptop as the
readout & control device, usually via USB, I believe.

There are also devices that are a single system with the readout
connected to the OBD-II plug by a cable. The cable is usually
proprietary, IIRC.

A few months ago I was chatting with a friend about the OBD reader. He
has an iPhone, so I did some research so I could tell him what to look
for, and AFAICT, nothing similar is available for them. All the apps I
could find were code readers that would save the codes in a list so you
could then refer to the list while looking them up offline. I wouldn't
mind if someone could prove that I'm wrong about that by telling us
about real-time software[1] similar to what is available on Android.

I use the paid version of the app called Torque and a ~$20 OBD/Bluetooth
device. I also have two terminal apps on the phone that I have used to
send codes to the car & read the responses. (I didn't find the first
terminal app easy to use.)

There are many scanners at Amazon, all similar in configuration and
price. I think this is the one I got:

http://tinyurl.com/bb88s4l

Here's the free version of Torque on the Android app store:

http://tinyurl.com/byejqwk

Here's the terminal app that I liked:

http://tinyurl.com/aacymy3

Priuses are very popular, so some people have tracked down some code
info for them, and there's stuff for a few other cars too. Generic codes
are more readily available, but each maker has proprietary extensions.

You can Google OBD codes for your specific car to learn that you
probably can't get any

[1] E.g., you can set up the app I have to show engine RPM as you drive
- if you know the code. That is the (ahem) stumbling block in all of
this...

Well, I picked up a scanner this afternoon, and my "check engine light"
is a loose gas cap. It's what I thought it would be, but I didn't want
to take any chances.

Your Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII looks like a nice solution.
It would be nice for me, but not likely be nice for anyone I might
be giving it to.

This is the cheapest dedicated scanner I could locate locally, but I got
a different one. The one I got, uses the +12V on the connector, whereas
this has its own battery.

"Innova OBD Car Reader" $120
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...ers/PRD~0251099P/OBD+Car+Reader.jsp?locale=en

It was also fun getting the connector seated. Yet another crappy
connector. I can imagine what they'd charge if I broke the car
end of the connector :-(

Paul

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Well, I picked up a scanner this afternoon, and my "check engine light"
is a loose gas cap. It's what I thought it would be, but I didn't want
to take any chances.

Prudent

Your Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII looks like a nice solution.
It would be nice for me, but not likely be nice for anyone I might
be giving it to.

Yeah, it's pretty geeky. I sometimes forget that I'm something of a
geek...

This is the cheapest dedicated scanner I could locate locally, but I got
a different one. The one I got, uses the +12V on the connector, whereas
this has its own battery.

There's an advantage there. I have noticed that my scanner remains on
when the car's ignition is off. That makes me think that after a
moment's absent mindedness, I could come out in the morning and find a
dead battery :-(

It probably doesn't draw a lot of current, but still, I prefer to unplug
it when I'd done.

 

[Ken Blake]

Yeah, it's pretty geeky. I sometimes forget that I'm something of a
geek...

Being an old-fashioned person when it comes to language, I use the
word "geek" only in its original sense, and not in any of the senses
that most people use it in these days. To me, a geek is someone who
bites the heads off live chickens in a circus side show. See, for
example, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

So I am *not* a geek.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Being an old-fashioned person when it comes to language, I use the
word "geek" only in its original sense, and not in any of the senses
that most people use it in these days. To me, a geek is someone who
bites the heads off live chickens in a circus side show. See, for
example, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

So I am *not* a geek.

Can you be sure that *I* am not a geek?

 

[Char Jackson]

It seems that this post has turned into a Master's Thesis - enjoy

That is one way. Another way (my choice) is via Bluetooth to an Android
phone. The third way that I am aware of is to use a laptop as the
readout & control device, usually via USB, I believe.

There are also devices that are a single system with the readout
connected to the OBD-II plug by a cable. The cable is usually
proprietary, IIRC.

<snip>

Thanks, Gene, for the Master's Thesis. It was more than I expected but it
really hit the spot! Excellent info.

 

[Ken Blake]

Can you be sure that *I* am not a geek?

Nope. And I didn't say that you weren't. <g>

 

[Iceman]

[2 quoted lines suppressed]

Being an old-fashioned person when it comes to language, I use the
word "geek" only in its original sense, and not in any of the senses
that most people use it in these days. To me, a geek is someone who
bites the heads off live chickens in a circus side show. See, for
example, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

So I am *not* a geek.

Then you probably use a word like "gay" ony in its older meaning (cheerful,
merry), right?

 

[Buffalo]

"Iceman" wrote in message news:[email protected]...

[2 quoted lines suppressed]

Being an old-fashioned person when it comes to language, I use the
word "geek" only in its original sense, and not in any of the senses
that most people use it in these days. To me, a geek is someone who
bites the heads off live chickens in a circus side show. See, for
example, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek

So I am *not* a geek.

Then you probably use a word like "gay" ony in its older meaning (cheerful,
merry), right?

Kinda like the name of a restaurant in the 50's called Gay Johnsons .

 

[Ken Blake]

(e-mail address removed)>:

Then you probably use a word like "gay" ony in its older meaning (cheerful,
merry), right?

Right. Except that I would also address someone named "Gay" as Gay.

 

[H.J.]

I think Paul hit it on the head when he suggested RF interference between
the wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, and your new WiFi connection.

Solved it at last.
On checking google etc, there is a lot on this subject, tried different
things but to no avail.
Went into device manager for the thousands time and had a look for
conflicting devices , but none.
The old mouse I had was still listed there, so I removed it , but the
problem was the same.
Went back to device manager and noticed the old mouse was there again.
So instead of uninstalling it, I disabled it.
Da da sucess.
Thanks for all the ideas it put me on the right track.