Look what I bought...

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 3:19 pm

A bluethooth OBD2 scan tool for $24 from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NL ... UTF8&psc=1

I then on my smart phone, bought a program called Torque for $4.95:
http://torque-bhp.com/

So, for $30 bucks, I'm able to not only monitor sensors and other items in my car, but also reset codes etc. Not a bad deal considering a few years ago, you had to spend $$$ for the software to run on a laptop with a cord connected to your OBD2 connector.

wvjohn · Post by **wvjohn** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 3:35 pm

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:10 pm

Novel but I'm not sure what your average person would need it for other than re-setting check engine lights, assuming the problem's fixed.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:27 pm

yup, I've been using a cheap Bluetooth adapter and Torque for over a year. works great. as EH said, it's a novelty (to me), but worth having for tech nerds. who doesn't want customized, flashy gauges?

I don't know what half of the stuff even means, since i'm not mechanically inclined...

edit: just checked your link. that's the same adapter I bought. it was $18 back in 2012. hehe

Err · Post by **Err** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:43 pm

I've looked into buying one of these but haven't pulled the trigger. I've need to clear a couple of codes over the last few months. This would sure beat removing the battery cables.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 4:14 am

I've had that sender for a couple years now as well as this one (for $12):

http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-CAN-BUS ... B008U1MOM8

Both have proven invaluable for diagnosing my cars. Clearing codes isn't all that useful if you haven't repaired the issue. However, being able to see the codes as well as read sensors is a beautiful thing. FYI, there's also Torque Lite for free:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... torquefree

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Thu Feb 06, 2014 11:30 pm

I've seen some guys on the 4Runner forums using Torque displays as an altimeter and such for their off-road excursions. i don't know much about why that is needed for off-roading, but it sounded cool.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Fri Feb 07, 2014 9:45 am

Only time I've wanted to look at an altimeter in a car was when going up a mountain pass out west. Here in WI, the altitude changes by ~1000' going to the northern parts from here, not a big deal.