ELM 327: list of cars compatible with the scanner, instructions

Program interface

As for the ELM327 interface, it is intuitive.

As soon as the connection is established, you need to wait until the icon showing the car stops blinking.
Attention!
If the procedure is carried out correctly, the adapter will start working immediately.

When operating the device, you need to pay attention to the following icons:

• OBD Check Fault Code – helps to identify and decipher errors in vehicle operation;
• Realtime Information – counters that display the current state of the engine. The user will be able to set the required parameters independently. For this purpose, the “Add Screen” function is provided;
• Map View – shows the route of movement.

While driving, the driver can monitor the readings. To get more complete information about many vehicle systems, it is better to connect to the ELM 327 via a computer.

ELM327 bluetooth

This is a universal adapter in OBD-2 format, necessary for self-diagnosis of the car. This device comes in several varieties.

There are models that work via USB, others only via Bluetooth.

The second option is more convenient and simpler, since it does not involve the use of wires, which is often inconvenient.

Allows you to diagnose and configure engine operation via a computer, tablet or phone.

Depending on the operating system of the device from which the work will be carried out, you need to select software for the adapter.

The system was developed by the Canadian company Elmelectronics. It was they who developed the unique system chip on which the device currently operates.

The development is relatively new, but has been working stably for a long time and has proven itself well.

The device helps you independently create a diagnostic complex based on a personal device, most often a PC.

The adapter's working chip has a preinstalled program that converts OBDII sample signals (VPW, PWM, ISO, KWP 2000, CAN protocols).

At the output they look like standard ASCII codes. These codes transmit information about errors, other data necessary for operation, and data on the condition of the engine.

Almost every device of this type can be used not only via Bluetooth. It also has a socket for wired connection directly to the car's connector for diagnostics.

Versions and advantages of using the scanner

At the moment, scanner versions 1.5, 1.6 and 2.1 are common. But still, the basic modification 1.5 is the best for auto diagnostics. This can be explained by its originality, because specialists from Canada have been working on it for many years.

Newer versions were provided by programmers from China.

They tried to modernize the outdated program, but as a result, useful options were only lost. Therefore, users advise beginners to use firmware 1.5.

Advantages of the ELM 327 scanner:

• intuitive and easy to use. No special skills are required to connect and work with it. You need to study the instructions and also understand how the electronic system of the vehicle works. And applications for smart phones make this device an excellent assistant on the go;
• compactness - thanks to this, it can be carried in a vehicle and connected to the electronic control unit as soon as needed;
• accurate results;
• economical - the use of an adapter eliminates the need to frequently visit a service station.

The device comes with a disk with recorded software and instructions.

Attention! All information is provided in a foreign language, so it is easier to download everything from the Internet.

The device consists of a processor, a Bluetooth module and a connector for connecting a scanner.

Apple iOS iPhone iPad

Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad) supports Bluetooth LE (4.0) and Wi-Fi adapters. Adapters using classic Bluetooth (versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.x) cannot be used with Apple iOS devices due to limitations in the iOS operating system.

At the same time, Bluetooth 4.0 adapters have a number of advantages over Wi-Fi adapters:

Firstly, Wi-Fi adapters interfere with the mobile Internet (because your iPhone/iPad will try to access the Internet through the adapter's Wi-Fi network), but Bluetooth LE (4.0) adapters do not.

Secondly, Apple iOS allows Car Scanner to work with Bluetooth LE adapters in the background, even when the program is minimized. Unfortunately, you cannot work with Wi-Fi adapters in the background - as soon as you minimize the application, its operation will be suspended. Unfortunately, this is the work of the Apple iOS operating system and cannot be circumvented.

Thirdly, some Wi-Fi adapters are not compatible with iOS 11: Apple iOS 11 simply refuses to route traffic to the Wi-Fi network created by such adapters (depending on the Wi-Fi adapter network configuration).

To avoid using an adapter that is not supported by the new version of iOS, I recommend purchasing an adapter that supports Bluetooth 4.0.

Please pay attention to the Bluetooth version! This is extremely important for iPhone/iPad. Every day I receive letters from inattentive iOS users who bought an adapter with classic Bluetooth in China, and I have to upset them: it is impossible to use such adapters with an iPhone/iPad. Absolutely

No way. No other program will be able to use such an adapter either, because the limitations lie in the architecture of the Apple iOS operating system and cannot be overcome.

Absolutely. No way. No other program will be able to use such an adapter either, because the limitations lie in the architecture of the Apple iOS operating system and cannot be overcome.

The main functionality of the Elm327 scanner

The ELM327 car scanner supports all diagnostic protocols. This is its advantage, because the unit can be connected to various models of machines. All you need to do is select the application and connect the adapter.

Thanks to ELM 327 you can:

1. Monitor the indicators of the car sensors.
2. Determine malfunctions in their functioning, check the reliability of indicators.
3. Monitor and scan error codes and decipher them.
4. Determine current readings.
5. Repair vehicle breakdowns.
6. See how many revolutions the engine makes.
7. Monitor the engine load.
8. Determine the temperature of liquids.
9. Monitor your speed.
10. Monitor fuel consumption.
11. Check the condition of the brake system.
12. Determine how the throttle valves are positioned.
13. Monitor the fuel supply.
14. Monitor the operation of other vehicle systems.

The auto diagnostic adapter will help you identify problems in time and fix them. Therefore, serious damage can be avoided.

Where to buy a high-quality auto scanner ELM327

On the modern market you can find many fakes of the ELM327 BLUETOOTH car scanner. It is very important to choose a proven car scanner model and buy it from an official distributor. To avoid falling for scammers, you can buy a car scanner by following this link. There you can buy a good, licensed car scanner, suitable for all brands of cars, at a competitive price, and not worry about its quality. Car diagnostics and operation will become an interesting and exciting activity for you if you approach them wisely.

Programs for ELM327

There are many programs on the network for downloading and using to operate the diagnostic adapter. But drivers prefer those that work with modern phones and support WiFi and Bluetooth wireless communications.

The leader among such software is TORQUE. It has two versions: paid (Pro) and free (Lite). Their difference lies in the number of characteristics of the components being tested.

With TORQUE you can:

• detect faults and reset codes;
• monitor performance in real time;
• check the probe; calculate fuel consumption and its cost
• ;record the trip on video so that the cause of the problem can be determined in the future;
• monitor sensor readings and detect breakdowns in time.

OBD CAR DOCTOR is also a good program. Thanks to her you can:

• read error codes and delete them;
• receive a report after decryption;
• determine the condition of all vehicle components based on real sensor readings;
• identify the vehicle being tested by body number.

OPENDIAG closes the top three. Its purpose is to scan injection models. In other words, it is used for Russian-made cars. The program is compatible with the ELM 327 scanner and runs on Android OS. It is free and easy to use.

Advantages

What advantages do the adapter and program for ELM327 bluetooth provide? If the device works normally, it can perform the following functions:

1. Display of fault codes (with preliminary reading);
2. Description of malfunctions and engine conditions by codes;
3. Display parameters in current time;
4. Recording a trip, overlaying maps, etc.;
5. Export data, you can even print it;
6. Recording, storing information, compiling reports, drawing graphs, some other types of information processing;
7. Time counter for real engine acceleration from 0 to 100 km per hour;
8. By default, data is displayed in metric and US units, but this is a configurable feature and other units can be configured;
9. You can work with fault codes, including erasing them.

Troubleshooting is the main part of car repair work. Typically, such adapters are used by people who are able to independently carry out routine car repairs.

They need them so as not to carry out lengthy diagnostics or contact a car service for this.

What cars is the device compatible with?

To determine the type of car scanner that is suitable for your vehicle, you need to determine what data exchange protocols they have. For this purpose, you need to look at the diagnostic block and determine the types of contacts present:

• K-Line (7) – indicates the use of the ISO 9141-2 protocol for scanning the vehicle status. Similar connectors are used in vehicles of automakers in Asia and Europe;
• 4, 5, 7, 15 and 16 – ISO14230—4KWP2000 protocol is applicable. It can mainly be found in the Daewoo, KIA, Hyundai, Subaru STi brands and certain Mercedes models.

In all these cases, ELM 327 will work properly.

Attention! The device is also suitable for the following protocols: SAE J1850 PWM/VPW, ISO 15765-4 CAN 29/11 bit 250/500 Kbaud, SAE J1939.

Basically, the scanner can be easily installed on any car.

How to find out the compatibility of a scanner with a car by year of manufacture

The USA was the first. Cadillac, Ford Chevrolet, Dodge, Chrysler, equipped with DLC Pin 16 and intended for the domestic market, have been produced here since 1996. The scanner is suitable for any models of these and other American brands.

Japan is the second country that, since 2000, began to massively equip its Toyotas, Nissans, Mazdas and other car models supplied to the USA and Europe with 16 contact DLCs. Since 2003, the Japanese version of the JOBD standard has been adopted for right-hand drive models. From now on, they can also be diagnosed using ELM327-based scanners.

In Western Europe, the 16 Pin connector first appeared on cars with gasoline engines, and then on diesel engines. This happened in 2001 and 2004, respectively.

In Russia, this standard is not mandatory, which does not prevent automakers, including AvtoVAZ and GAZ, from producing models with a 16 Pin connector for export. Consequently, the device is suitable for many domestic passenger cars and minibuses.

Below is a table that will help you roughly determine for which cars ELM327 OBD2 devices are suitable. Please note that vehicles manufactured in these countries for export may have previously been equipped with 16 Pin connectors.

Important: if you have a car with a different type of connector, for example, 12 Pin or 14 Pin, you can also use the ELM327, but through an adapter. The main thing is that the OBD2 interface is supported.

Connection ELM 327

The specificity of the diagnostic device is the ability to establish communication with vehicles that are compatible with it. In this case, the vehicle brand and communication protocol are not important. How the connection will be made also does not matter, but some features are still present.

ELM 327 versions:

1. ELM 327 Bluetooth – compatible with computers that have the Bluetooth function. But mainly the adapter is used with tablets or smartphones running Android OS.
2. USB - this type appeared much earlier than wireless scanners, their price is lower. They can be used from a PC or laptop running Windows OS.
3. ELM327 Wi-Fi – also suitable for working from a laptop. This version can be used by users of Apple products.

The car owner chooses the scanner modification that suits him.

Connecting to Android

To connect ELM 327 you will need a socket under the steering block of the car.

Attention! When installing the device on VAZ models and other domestic vehicles produced before 2006, you cannot do without an adapter.

Further procedure:

• download the Torque utility from the Google Play app store, which weighs little. This application is recognized as one of the best because it can be used to read vehicle system faults;
• connect the diagnostic scanner to the connector;
• start the engine; turn on Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet;
• click on the “Settings” icon and go to the “Bluetooth Wireless Networks” tab;
• select search for a new device;
• wait for the list of available equipment to be displayed on the display;
• select a scanner and connect to it. For this operation you need to specify a code, usually 0000 or 1234;
• After pairing is completed, you need to configure the operation. Therefore, in Torque, select the “OBD 2 adapter settings” item;
• at the last stage, select a Bluetooth device, which is ELM 327.

After these manipulations, you can begin to diagnose the operation of vehicle systems.

Connecting to Windows

To connect the diagnostic tool to a PC, you will need the ScanMaster program. You can download it from the Internet. Attention! It’s not enough to download the application, you also need to install it correctly. To do this, you need to find the “Key” or “Keygen” file, and then generate an access key. Then run the installation file ".exe".

The following actions:

1. Connect ELM 327 to the car connector.
2. Start the engine.
3. In the PC control panel, find “Bluetooth devices”.
4. Click on “Add device”, check the box next to “Device is ready for detection” and “Next”.
5. Press.
6. Wait for the search for available equipment to complete. The scanner will then connect to your computer.
7. Click “Next” again.
8. A window will appear in which you enter the standard code: 0000, 1111, 1234 or 6789 and click “Next”.
9. Wait for automatic integration with your computer and select “Done”.

This is the entire process of installing the program for ELM 327.

How to connect to iPhone or iPad

If the driver prefers Apple products, he will need a Wi-Fi scanner model that can be connected to any iOS-based device. Through a wireless connection, you can obtain information from almost any portable equipment.

Connection setup steps:

1. Connect the ELM to the connector installed in the car.
2. Go to the wireless connection settings and select “CLKDevices”.
3. Next, click on the blue arrow that appears on the right.
4. In the new window, enter the IP address 192.168.0.11 and the subnet mask 255.255.255.0, which is standard. Port 35000 should be indicated a little lower.

That's the whole procedure. Knowing how to use a diagnostic scanner, you can install any application to determine the condition of the car. In its settings you will need to register the same port addresses and IP addresses.

How to connect the device

Interest-free car loan Pros and Cons of the loan program

If the scanner is compatible with a smartphone, tablet or PC, then connecting it will be very simple. You need to follow these steps:

1. connect the device to the OBD-II port;
2. select on the device to search for available connections;
3. select a scanning tool;
4. enter the connection code.

In most cases, the documentation that comes with your scanner will contain the connection code and special instructions required for your particular model. If the documentation doesn't include a password, you can try one of the following combinations:

• 0000;
• 1234;
• 6789;
• 9999.

If you cannot find the code, you should contact the scanner developer for help. If the ELM327 device cannot be connected to a smartphone, you need to keep in mind that there may be various reasons for this. First of all, you need to try alternative connection codes. After this, you can try to connect the scanner with another gadget. Some faulty copies of microcontrollers cannot connect to certain smartphones, but work perfectly with laptops.

Another reason that can lead to a failed connection is limited detection time. Most ELM327 gadgets can be detected immediately after they are connected, but after some time they are no longer accessible.

If the scanner still does not connect, then at least 1 of its nodes is damaged. In this regard, it is recommended to refrain from using cheap copies, which may initially have built-in defects. The main alternative to the ELM327 are gadgets that use Wi-Fi and USB connections. Wi-Fi scanners are usually more expensive than Bluetooth scanners, but they can be used with Apple products. Most USB gadgets are not designed for iOS, but some functions are still supported.

Frequent connection errors

Although the connection process should not cause problems, some problems are still possible. For example:

• It is not possible to connect the ELM 327 to the electronic control unit. There may be several reasons: the scanner is not suitable for the car, the adapter/program is incorrectly selected. The driver may also forget to undergo initialization. Sometimes the problem is a broken connector;
• information about some data cannot be viewed in real time. This option only works while the car is moving.

In addition, the diagnostic scanner cannot always read or reset errors. This requires the engine to be running, so running the engine will fix everything.

To know how all vehicle systems work, you don’t have to visit a service station often - you can purchase an ELM 327 diagnostic scanner. It can work from a PC, smartphone or tablet. The main thing is to download a program suitable for the OS on which the device operates and correctly configure their interaction.

What is ELM 327

ELM 327 is the name of the microcontroller, that is, it is a scanner for diagnosing the operation of a car engine. Modern machines have a plug for such scanner connectors. The connection takes place via the OBD2 protocol.

How much does ELM327 cost?

Prices vary from store to store. The price of an original such scanning device ranges from 4 to 16 thousand rubles. The most expensive version of the scanner has a display.

Everyone already knows that it doesn’t cost the Chinese anything to make one that looks just like the original. They buy, disassemble, manufacture such parts and assemble them, read the firmware.

How to connect ELM 327?

• Wireless connection (Wi-Fi or Bluetooth).
• Wired connection via COM port.
• Wired connection via USB port.

But the efficiency of work depends not on the connection method, but on the program. You can connect to a laptop, tablet or phone.

If the scanner has a display, then both the computer and the phone do not even need to be connected. Very comfortably.

Advantages and disadvantages

ELM327 will allow you to significantly save on car diagnostics and will pay for itself in the first month of use.

The main advantages of the adapter are:

• low price;
• compactness;
• availability;
• ease of use;
• quick reading of the problem;
• troubleshooting.

The ability to check the condition of the car using Bluetooth is very convenient, which will allow diagnostics to be carried out at a considerable distance. Installing and connecting the device will not be difficult.

The disadvantages of an auto scanner include:

• not all cars support this device;
• not all gadgets accept the adapter, it all depends on the software, problems do not arise on Android;

Super Mini ELM327 Bluetooth V2.1

• does not allow you to make changes to the vehicle’s computer system;
• There are no instructions for use; it will be difficult to understand for a person who does not use modern gadgets.

Before purchasing this device, you should consult with experts, read product reviews, watch videos and make sure that your car and smartphone support this scanner.