Tell me about OBD software, leads, set up and operation?

**Taipan** · 14-01-13, 10:12

I should probably get into this but know little about it. Anyone run me through the basics please?

**mrlongbeard** · 14-01-13, 11:45

If you have android as a mobile phone I'd recommend downloading "Torque" Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle the addition of a cheap bluetooth reader gives you access to fault codes, clearing faults and a whole heap of other info which can be displayed on the fly.

All I can give you, not had cause to play with any other types.

**Kneerly Down** · 14-01-13, 11:51

If it's for cars generally I've had great results with Torque Pro on android with a bluetooth adapter.

If it is for the Fiesta, get F-Super Ford F SUPER diagnostic Interface Scanner SCAN TOOL USB Reader OBD Focus Mondeo | eBay
It can do all sorts including e.g. recoding injectors.

I'd still get Torque as well though.

**Back-Marcus** · 15-01-13, 08:39

Originally Posted by Taipan

I should probably get into this but know little about it. Anyone run me through the basics please?

Surely a lot of it will be specific to each car? There are generic hand held code readers, but some cars are capeable of so much more if you have the right software and cables.

I have a USB cable to either OBDII port of the BMW round OBD service port. This came for about £35 from Ebay with all the software on 3 X DVD's that the BMW dealers get plus a copy of their BMW TIS dealer service software. The setup took a about 6 hours in total, but now there's nothing I can't do to our cars that a dealer can do, including programing the keys.

I suppose it depends what you want to do with it, but have a look on Ebay for cheapie cables and software "for evaluation purposes"

**Taipan** · 15-01-13, 09:07

Originally Posted by mrlongbeard

If you have android as a mobile phone I'd recommend downloading "Torque" Torque — OBD2 Performance and Diagnostics for your Vehicle the addition of a cheap bluetooth reader gives you access to fault codes, clearing faults and a whole heap of other info which can be displayed on the fly.

All I can give you, not had cause to play with any other types.

Not got android.

Originally Posted by Kneerly Down

If it's for cars generally I've had great results with Torque Pro on android with a bluetooth adapter.

If it is for the Fiesta, get F-Super Ford F SUPER diagnostic Interface Scanner SCAN TOOL USB Reader OBD Focus Mondeo | eBay
It can do all sorts including e.g. recoding injectors.

I'd still get Torque as well though.

Hmm.Looking at that it has the PCM option. I wonder if I could adjust the cold start drivability as mentioned in the other thread?

Originally Posted by Back-Marcus

Surely a lot of it will be specific to each car? There are generic hand held code readers, but some cars are capeable of so much more if you have the right software and cables.

I have a USB cable to either OBDII port of the BMW round OBD service port. This came for about £35 from Ebay with all the software on 3 X DVD's that the BMW dealers get plus a copy of their BMW TIS dealer service software. The setup took a about 6 hours in total, but now there's nothing I can't do to our cars that a dealer can do, including programing the keys.

I suppose it depends what you want to do with it, but have a look on Ebay for cheapie cables and software "for evaluation purposes"

I guess thats what I'm trying to find out, if there is one reader that fits all diagnostic sockets and one generic software. Looks like there isnt, but i suppose I dont change cars/marques very often so a new one every now and then wont be the end of the world.