OBD II diagnostic tool for multiple vehicles.

[XC70_OVERLANDER]

Hello fellow members.
I am looking for an OBD II diagnostic device. Above all, I would like to use it for our two vehicles (MB Sprinter 906 2016 and Volvo XC70 P26 2007) to scan and delete error codes. More in-depth programming or setting values is not planned.

Therefore, it should focus on deleting and reading fault codes.

In my research, I keep coming across devices from Ancel VD500 or Ancel VD700. Also (especially for the Sprinter) the device from iCarsoft MB V. 3.0)

Do you have any experience with these devices or other device recommendations?

What do you primarily use your diagnostic devices for?

 

[Oligetorix]

Hello fellow members.
I am looking for an OBD II diagnostic device. Above all, I would like to use it for our two vehicles (MB Sprinter 906 2016 and Volvo XC70 P26 2007) to scan and delete error codes. More in-depth programming or setting values is not planned.

Therefore, it should focus on deleting and reading fault codes.

In my research, I keep coming across devices from Ancel VD500 or Ancel VD700. Also (especially for the Sprinter) the device from iCarsoft MB V. 3.0)

Do you have any experience with these devices or other device recommendations?

What do you primarily use your diagnostic devices for?

Interesting topic. I am also thinking about buying a diagnostic tool, but maybe for my old Jeep I need another one?

 

[El-Dracho]

Interesting topic. I am also thinking about buying a diagnostic tool, but maybe for my old Jeep I need another one?

What modelyear is your Liberty? In the EU, the standardized OBD II interface has been mandatory for passenger cars since 2001 (gasoline) and 2004 (diesel), but there are also exceptions in some cases.

 

[paul87250]

Hi guys,
We are using the iCarsoft CR Pro+ on our 2006 discovery 3 tdv6 and so far are really happy with the performance with regards to the price ~300€ for multiple vehicles.

 

[XC70_OVERLANDER]

Hi guys,
We are using the iCarsoft CR Pro+ on our 2006 discovery 3 tdv6 and so far are really happy with the performance with regards to the price ~300€ for multiple vehicles.

Sounds like a good alternative. I will have a look at it. Cheers.

 

[El-Dracho]

This is a very nice forum topic, because there are many people who have questions about this and an exchange of information and experience makes perfect sense. Thank you @XC70_OVERLANDER for starting this.

It would be great if we could gather so much good information and experience from the community that - enriched with essential background knowledge on OBD II and the standards - a helpful OB boot camp article could result.

To the question: I have been using a Scangauge 2 for years. It works on many vehicles and is so compact that you can also mount it in the cockpit (e.g. with velcro when switching between vehicles, additional cables are also available). I have also had good experiences with the iCarsoft devices, which also allow a lot of additional programming.

 

[Oligetorix]

Interesting topic. I am also thinking about buying a diagnostic tool, but maybe for my old Jeep I need another one?

What modelyear is your Liberty? In the EU, the standardized OBD II interface has been mandatory for passenger cars since 2001 (gasoline) and 2004 (diesel), but there are also exceptions in some cases.

Hi Björn, it is model year 2003 and it’s an US-import. No European version.

 

[El-Dracho]

Hi Björn, it is model year 2003 and it’s an US-import. No European version.

Hi Oliver, That's even better, because the OBD II standard came from the USA and (passenger) vehicles there had to be equipped with the OBD II interface much earlier than in Europe - in California, as far as I know, as early as the mid-1990s. This is why some European export vehicles are already OBD II-capable in earlier model years.

 

[Oligetorix]

What about these OBD dongles with smartphone apps? Could it be an alternative? Or do I have to expect only basic functionality?

 

[wigsajumper]

What about these OBD dongles with smartphone apps? Could it be an alternative? Or do I have to expect only basic functionality?

I have been using a OBD II Bluetooth Dongle and Torque App on Android (not sure about the iOS platform) for years now.

I am able to read codes and delete codes
Able to do other trouble shooting. Read 02 sensor data, fuel rate, bunch of other stuff. I havent even scratched the surface yet and it already saved me a bunch of money. Worked flawlessly on multiple vehicles from a TDI Passet to a Jeep Cherokee

 

[North American Sojourner]

So I've been reading codes for a few decades and all I have is a $50 Matco code reader. I assure you that you won't need a $5,000 scanner when you're stuck in a National Forest. LOL
Remember it's still about Fuel, Air and Spark. Just like a camp fire if you diag what is the issue you can cook a hot dog.
A code reader will tell you the direction to go. For example a misfire on a particular cylinder, a lost signal to a crank or camshaft or a lean code.
I'd look for a code reader that will tell you the "name of the code" along with the number for instance P0301 Cylinder 1 misfire. The more money you pay the more information you get. LOL
Last thing is most ODBII codes do not report fuel problems. They report symptoms of lack of fuel or too much fuel. In these cases you have to look in other directions for the fuel issue, like the pump not running, a vacuum leak or lack of spark.
A little simple education goes a long way. Google how an engine works and go from there.
Good luck, we're all counting on you.
Zim

Oh, deleting a code will not fix the problem. It may take 10, 20, 50 cycles to come back, but it wont fix it for good. (black tape method does not work either) LOL

 

[smritte]

I started using this bluetooth dongle years ago due to the lack of anything that worked properly with an I Phone. Read the details about it before you consider buying it. Some of these things don't play well with some euro cars. The link is with the manufacture (scantool.net) but you can get them on amazon. The site also has cheaper ones with less features.

Beside working with apple, it also has the fastest refresh rate of any bluetooth device I've found. It comes with its own app but is also compatible with Torque and Scan Gauge.

Diagnostic wise, its pretty close to what I can do with my high end scanners at work. It wont remote control relays and such but I haven't seen a blue tooth dongle that will.
Over all I've been very happy with it.

 

[Oligetorix]

I started using this bluetooth dongle years ago due to the lack of anything that worked properly with an I Phone. Read the details about it before you consider buying it. Some of these things don't play well with some euro cars. The link is with the manufacture (scantool.net) but you can get them on amazon. The site also has cheaper ones with less features.

Beside working with apple, it also has the fastest refresh rate of any bluetooth device I've found. It comes with its own app but is also compatible with Torque and Scan Gauge.

Diagnostic wise, its pretty close to what I can do with my high end scanners at work. It wont remote control relays and such but I haven't seen a blue tooth dongle that will.
Over all I've been very happy with it.

Thanks. I’ve found it on German Amazon, too. It costs 174 Euros. Not cheap for a Dongle, but I will take a closer look.

 

[El-Dracho]

Thanks. I’ve found it on German Amazon, too. It costs 174 Euros. Not cheap for a Dongle, but I will take a closer look.

Are you looking for something that should be permanently in the cockpit for monitoring or just in case to read out and reset error codes?

 

[Oligetorix]

Thanks. I’ve found it on German Amazon, too. It costs 174 Euros. Not cheap for a Dongle, but I will take a closer look.

Are you looking for something that should be permanently in the cockpit for monitoring or just in case to read out and reset error codes?

Maybe a mix of both worlds. That’s why I am thinking about an App solution.

 

[El-Dracho]

Maybe a mix of both worlds. That’s why I am thinking about an App solution.

A dongle can be a smart solution for this. However, you are then of course always dependent on the bluetooth connection to the smartphone, with corresponding battery consumption. I think I would still opt for a compact separate scanner.

Does anyone else here have experience with the dongles?

 

[El-Dracho]

What about these OBD dongles with smartphone apps? Could it be an alternative? Or do I have to expect only basic functionality?

Hi Oliver, Is your new bluetooth dongle working now? Have you found an app for it that works well for you?

 

[Oligetorix]

What about these OBD dongles with smartphone apps? Could it be an alternative? Or do I have to expect only basic functionality?

Hi Oliver, Is your new bluetooth dongle working now? Have you found an app for it that works well for you?

Hi Björn, the one App that I have found so far that supports my 2003 Jeep Liberty KJ is not compatible with iOS. OBD JScan or car Scanner for example are only supporting later years, Diesel engines or model KK.

 

[El-Dracho]

Hello fellow members.
I am looking for an OBD II diagnostic device. Above all, I would like to use it for our two vehicles (MB Sprinter 906 2016 and Volvo XC70 P26 2007) to scan and delete error codes. More in-depth programming or setting values is not planned.

Therefore, it should focus on deleting and reading fault codes.

In my research, I keep coming across devices from Ancel VD500 or Ancel VD700. Also (especially for the Sprinter) the device from iCarsoft MB V. 3.0)

Do you have any experience with these devices or other device recommendations?

What do you primarily use your diagnostic devices for?

Which device did you decide on? Have you made first experiences with it? I think it would be especially interesting for many people to learn something about the Sprinter, which is very popular with overlanders.

And @Oligetorix , is your BT OBD II dongle working now?

Maybe we can gather a bit more knowledge about these devices here that can help others?

 

[Oligetorix]

Hello fellow members.
I am looking for an OBD II diagnostic device. Above all, I would like to use it for our two vehicles (MB Sprinter 906 2016 and Volvo XC70 P26 2007) to scan and delete error codes. More in-depth programming or setting values is not planned.

Therefore, it should focus on deleting and reading fault codes.

In my research, I keep coming across devices from Ancel VD500 or Ancel VD700. Also (especially for the Sprinter) the device from iCarsoft MB V. 3.0)

Do you have any experience with these devices or other device recommendations?

What do you primarily use your diagnostic devices for?

Which device did you decide on? Have you made first experiences with it? I think it would be especially interesting for many people to learn something about the Sprinter, which is very popular with overlanders.

And @Oligetorix , is your BT OBD II dongle working now?

Maybe we can gather a bit more knowledge about these devices here that can help others?

Hi Björn,

I haven’t tried to use the dongle since I installed two different apps. Maybe we can try together at spring meetup.