Anyone bought an ODB2 adapter from eBay?

[BenT]

Has anyone tried these things with their recent VW?

eg https://www.ebay.com.au/ulk/itm/152027850643

My Polo GTI has been misfiring lately and I'd like to be able to monitor it more closely instead of relying on VW who have given the car back to me twice (after a software update and relaxing the 'melted' spark plugs).


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[Idle]

It's an ELM327 device, and how good it is depends on the software you use.

I bought one in some months ago for use on a Triton ute, and before I passed it on I tried it on my Mk7 TDI.

The actual item (a bluetooth to laptop/tablet/phone interface) cost around $A15 delivered and I searched for better software to suit the Triton, which eventually was around $60.

It read most segments of the Golf, but I didn't try changing anything (the software was sort of universal OBD11 and intended for service use, but didn't look too useful on Euro cars.)

Unfortunately the lad it was for is no longer with us and the ute has been sold, so I can't tell you much more — but you're paying far too much shipping on that one. Do an Ebay search.

[ASR36]

Check out OBDeleven: Audi, Volkswagen, Seat & Skoda diagnostic system

[Martin]

I have OBDLink which has been excellent (fast enough for live monitoring)

OBDEleven being VAG specific likely to be a good option

[BenT]

Thanks guys


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[theresanothersteve]

You have to be careful which you buy if the ODBII port is similar to the one on the Jetta. The only one that fits is:


The others are too 'chunky' and foul on the fascia.

If you are using an Apple device you will need to get a WIFI enabled connector. Android works with either WIFI or Bluetooth, bluetooth is cheaper. If you connect using WIFI you might have internet issues with your phone unless you are out of range from the ELM327.

I quite like the dash command software, although I'm sceptical about the calculated power and torque figures.

HTH

[HLS]

<Disclaimer - we're site sponsors and this sort of thing is what we do in our business>

What device are you using to connect to the car, and what do you want to achieve with the adapter?

If you're just looking for diagnostic data, an OBD2 adapter is a simple way to get started. There's a very common processor chipset called the ELM327 which provides a standard interface to an OBD2-capable vehicle, and if the adapter you're looking at supports that chipset then it should work with your GTI and with pretty much any piece of software.

If you're connecting from an iPhone or iPad then you need a WiFi or Bluetooth LE (Bluetooth 4.0) adapter. If you've got an Android phone then there are cheaper Bluetooth 2.1 adapters which will work also. Typically the WiFi adapters can provide a quicker data stream but they can be more cumbersome to connect, and if you rely on a WiFi connection to the internet from your device then you can't connect to the net and to your WiFi OBD2 adapter at the same time.

We've heavily tested the Viecar Bluetooth 4.0 adapter ($23US shipped via AliExpress) and the Jaycar PP2145 ($70AUD in-store or online) - both work well with iOS and Android devices. Both return about 5-6 PIDs per second (for one data point) or 3-4 PIDs per second (for changing data points). That is, if you're just returning RPM you can expect a new RPM value every 0.25s. If you want RPM and Timing Advance you can expect a new value for each every 0.75s.

If you're going down the OBD2 path, keep in mind that VW doesn't support all of the PIDs (data points) provided in the OBD2 standard. I *think* the 6R GTI uses a similar dataset to our Beetle TSI so you should get at least:

•Speed & RPM
•Short & Long Term fuel trim
•Intake manifold pressure (which isn't available in 9N3 Polo or pre-Mk6 Golf)
•Timing advance
•Intake temperature
•Throttle position
•Fuel rail pressure
•Catalyst temp
•Commanded AFR

You'll also be able to scan any ECU error codes relating to the misfires.

I don't believe your car will report:

•MAF air flow rate
•Direct O2 sensor Lambda values
•Oil temp
•Fuel level
•Fuel injection timing
•Boost pressure (you have to calculate that in software from intake pressure & atmospheric pressure)

As others have mentioned, the adapter is just the connection to your car, and how much value you get depends on what software you connect to the adapter. Depending on what you're wanting to do and what platform you're running there are apps that just display virtual gauges through to apps that perform full data logging and let you replay / search / export etc for future analysis.
Here's our 'conflict of interest' section - we build an app called DashSketch for iOS devices that provides all that data logging functionality (plus quite a bit more). It's launching publicly on May 7th but if you're interested I can set you up with a pre-release copy for free. Drop me a PM and we might be able to help you out with a compatible OBD2 adapter also.

If you want to be able to modify settings or get serious about reading, understanding and clearing error codes, a proper service adapter and software is what you need.

Obviously VCDS (VAGcom) is the default standard for VAG cars - it works very well and is almost as good as the factory tools, but requires a Windows computer or tablet and an expensive cable to operate.

The OBDEleven device that ASR36 mentioned looks like a good alternative to VCDS at a cheaper price - I haven't used one yet so will reserve my judgement until I do so, but on face value it seems pretty good.

[The_Hawk]

Check out OBDeleven: Audi, Volkswagen, Seat & Skoda diagnostic system

That looks pretty sweet, might have to look into that one

...says the guy with VCDS, two bluetooth adaptors and a WiFi adaptor...