Your car has a computer system for monitoring how the various subsystems that make your car work. OBD tools allow you to check the status of your car’s system without going to the mechanic. Having the best OBD is critical.
What is OBD?
OBD stands for onboard diagnostics. The signaling device in your vehicle’s OBD system is the check engine. The Environmental Protection Agency requires all vehicles to have onboard diagnostic systems to warn drivers about problems affecting their emissions. Apart from warning you about a potential problem, the system also records other information that can help a mechanic find and fix problems with your car.
Types of OBD
The type of OBD in your vehicle depends on the year it was manufactured.
OBD 1
The first OBD systems were not standardized. They were proprietary to different car makers. In 1991, it was a requirement in states such as California for new cars to have some sort of OBD. Different manufacturers came up with different onboard diagnostic systems. Today, these systems are referred to as OBD 1 systems.
OBD 2
OBD 2 is a standardized system introduced in the US in 1996. All vehicles sold in the US use the same system. They have the same connector, diagnostic codes and are read with the same tool. OBD 2 has thus made it easier to diagnose car problems across the world. Now that you know the different type of OBD systems, let’s now look at how these systems work.
How the OBD 2 System Works
A vehicle has many sensors. There are engine knock sensors, oxygen sensors, manifold pressure sensors and more. Each of these sensors sends signals to the car’s computer (The Engine Control Unit – ECU). The Engine control unit uses information from the sensors to adjust different element of the engine operation such as fuel injection or spark timing.
If the ECU can’t understand the information it gets from the sensors, it saves a code called a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). The ECU also sends a signal to you as a check engine light. Don’t worry if the light comes on and stays on. It means that you only have a minor problem. You can still drive and have it checked later.
If the check engine light blinks on and off, it means that the problem is urgent and that it might damage the engine. An example of a problem that may give you this signal is engine knocking. If you see the check light blinking, avoid driving your vehicle as much as you can. Also avoid driving aggressively until the problem is fixed.
How to Make the Diagnosis
You can use a diagnostic scan tool also known as an OBD scanner or code reader to find what code or codes your ECU has saved. There is usually a port underneath the dashboard on the driver side for connecting the scanner. These ports are standardized. So, any OBD 2 scanner can read codes from any OBD 2 car. The scanner checks for saved DTC and shows you the codes on its screen.
So, how do you use the code to solve the problem? Some scanners will show you the code a short description of the problem. The code consists of a letter and four digits. Each of these parts has a different meaning. The letter tells you about the section of the car with the problem. Here is a breakdown of the different letters and their meaning:
- P: Powertrain – Codes relating to emissions, engine and transmission system.
- B: Body – Codes relating to lighting, airbags, and climate control systems.
- C: Chassis- Codes relating to electronic suspensions, steering systems, and anti-lock brake systems
- U: Network Communication codes – These codes indicate problems with the computer itself.
The first digit tells you whether the code is manufacturer specific or general. Most manufactures use universal codes as standardized by the Society of automotive engineers. However, manufacturers can add their own codes to their systems. In standardized systems, the first digit is either 0 or 3. On the other hand, manufacturer specific codes have a 1 or 2.
The second digit system specifies which particular sub system is affected. This digit varies from one system to another. The final two digits indicate the specific problem. However, manufacture specific codes might not follow these rules. Always consult your service manual to get the meaning of a manufacturer specific code.
Powertrain Codes
- P0xxx: Generic
- P1xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- P2xxx: Generic
- P30xx to P33xx: Specific to manufacturer
- P34xx toP39xx: Generic
Chassis Codes
- C0xxx: Generic
- C1xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- C2xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- C3xxx: Generic
Body Codes
- B0xxx: Generic
- B1xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- B2xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- B3xxx: Generic
Network Communication Codes
- U0xxx: Generic
- U1xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- U2xxx: Specific to manufacturer
- U3xxx: Generic
OBD 2 scanners can further be grouped into two general categories.
- Handheld OBD2 scanners: They come with their own screen and cable for plugging into the car’s OBD port.
- Wireless OBD2 Scanners: These OBDS scanners plug into the port but then connect to a phone or tablet via Bluetooth.
Bluetooth OBD scanners
Bluetooth has made it possible to use smartphones and tablets as dependable devices. You can use apps that talk to a Bluetooth scanner plugged into your car’s computer.
As aforementioned, there are many types of OBD devices. However, Bluetooth OBD scanners are more convenient than the traditional ones.
Using Your Bluetooth OBD Scanner Diagnostic Tool
When using your Bluetooth OBD 2 scanner, there are a number of things that you need to consider. Follow the following instructions to ensure a successful diagnostic run of your vehicle.
- Make sure you have plugged the appropriate scanning tool into the OBD 2 connector.
- Place the key into ignition and turn it on to utilize OBD2.
- Start the key and follow instructions on the manual on code reading procedures.
- Key in correct answers for any information requested by the scan tool.
- Follow the directions on the screen, press scan, and wait for the diagnostic results.
- At this point you have the chance to view the engine data in real time, read and erase diagnostic trouble codes or even check to see completeness readiness of monitors.
- If you need more information to understand the problem, double check the instruction manual or CD-ROM that came with the OBD2 scanner.
- After establishing the trouble, you can purchase the essential parts to repair your vehicle or share the information with your mechanic.
Most Common Engine Fault Codes
| P0420 | Low efficiency Catalyst System |
| P0171 | Fuel-Trim System Lean-Bank One |
| P0401 | Insufficient flow to EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) |
| P0174 | Fuel-Trim System Lean-Bank Two |
| P0442 | Smaller leak detection in EVAP (Evaporative Emission Control System) |
| P0300 | Random misfire detection in Engine |
| P0455 | Larger leak detection in EVAP (Evaporative Emission Control System) |
| P0440 | EVAP Evaporative Emission System |
| P0141 | H02S (Oxygen Heater Sensor)Performance Bank One, Sensor Two |
| P0430 | Catalyst system: Low-efficiency Bank Two |
| P0135 | (H02S) Oxygen sensors: Performance Bank One, Sensor One |
| P0446 | EVAP (Evaporative Emission System)“Solenoid” Valve-Control |
| P0128 | Thermostat for coolant regulation |
| P0301 | Misfire detected in cylinder 1 |
| P0411 | Erroneous purge-flow in Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) |
| P0133 | Oxygen-sensor sluggish response: Bank 1, Sensor 1 |
| P0303 | Misfire detected in cylinder 3 |
| P0304 | Misfire detected in cylinder 4 |
| P0302 | Misfire detected in cylinder 2 |
| P0325 | Powertrain Control Module “knock-sensor” circuit |
What are the Best Bluetooth OBD scanners available?
- Innova CarScan Pro 5210
The Innova CarScan PRO 5210 comes first because it tells you mote about your car than the competition. Its big screen ensures it can squeeze in a lot of automotive details. Its led light glow green if there is no problem, yellow for an intermittent fault, and red for a permanent fault. On the downside, it comes with a short cable which makes its overall dimensions feel bulky compared to the smaller models.
Key features:
- Display/size: Color/2.8 inches
- Bluetooth/Handheld: Yes/Yes
- I/M Readiness Test: Yes
- Displays Live Data: Yes
- Number of Keys: 9
- Warranty: 1 year
- Size: 6.7 x 3.4 x 1.1 inches
- Weight: 7.7 ounces
- Ancel BD310
Another amazing OBD scanner is Ancel BD310. It is both a handheld and Bluetooth scanner. Its small and light weight means that it can fit in your car’s glove box. Although it has a small screen, it’s easy to figure out, whether you want performance details such as engine timing, coolant temperature or an I/M inspection. They can be shown as graphs or numbers. It has a 56 inch cable which allows you to use it even when driving
Key features
- Display/Size: Color /2inches
- Bluetooth/Handheld: Yes/Yes
- I/M Readiness test: Yes
- Displays Live Data: Yes
- Number of Keys: 4
- Warranty: 3 Years
- Size: 5.1 X 2.4X 0.6 inches
- Weight: 5.4 ounces
- Autel Auto Link AL539
What makes Autel Auto Link Al537 one of the best it can check electrical connections with a built-in multimeter to uncover burned out cables or electrical shorts. It has a lithium battery for checking fuses, the gas gauge or the alternator’s voltage. The AL539 shows live data such as engine speed and coolant temperature. It can also run a comprehensive pre-inspection readiness key. It shows three results for faults: Red (Permanent fault), Yellow (Temporary fault), and green if there are no faults.
Key Features
- Display/Size: color/2.8 inches
- Bluetooth/ Handheld: YES/ No
- I.M Readiness test: Yes
- Displays Live Data: Yes
- Number of Keys: 8
- Warranty: 1 year
- Size: 6.7 X 3.6.1.4 Inches
- Weight: 10.6 ounces
- Jethax OBD 2 Scanner
Small and light, Jethax OBD2 is one of the easiest OBD2 scanners to install, use and remove. The Jethax scanner stands alone with a built in LED flashlight for illuminating the car’s diagnostic port. It uses Bluetooth version 4.0 to connect to an Android phone, iPhone, or iPad, but lacks its own app. It has a Bluetooth range of 28 feet, which is on par with other Bluetooth scanners. Apart from a series of automotive gauges and fault codes, you can also use it to run acceleration tests.
Key Features
- Display /Size: 1 LED
- Bluetooth/Handheld: Yes/No
- I/M Readiness test: No
- Displays Live Data: Yes
- Number of Keys: N/A
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Size: 1.8X 1.7.X0.8
- Weight: 0.7 ounces
- Think Driver Bluetooth OBD2 scanner
Key features
- Display /Size: 1 LED
- Bluetooth/ Handheld: Yes/No
- I/M Readiness test: Yes
- Displays Live Data: Yes
- Number of Keys: N/A
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Size : 2.1x 1.8x 0.9 inches
- Weight: 1.3 oinces
This easy to plug and remove ThinkDriver Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner puts emphasis on maintenance. Ironically, it is a slow starter because you need to update the app and firmware. When using it for the first time, it can 20 minutes before you get automotive data. However, the wait is worth it because it is more thorough than its competitors. You can use it to find data such as fault codes, pre- inspection I/M readiness test and a comprehensive Health Report.
How to Choose the Best OBD Scanner
If you are looking for insights on the condition of your car and if there is is anything wrong, there is no better tool to use than pliugging in an OBD2 scanner. It will help you to figure out what is wrong with your car. The best OBD scanners provide the best mix of weight, size and the ability to display your car;s fault codes and live data. The most important factors to consider are:
- Set up: It should be easy to set up. It shouldn’t take forever to diagnose a problem.
- Faults and explanations: The OBD 2 scanner should not only display the fault codes but also explain how to solve the problem.
- I/m Readiness Check: It should be able to run all the major engine and emissions test.
- Accuracy: A good PBD scanner should display correct results
- Size and Weight: Go for a size you can easily handle
- Live Data: It should be able to track down an intermittent problem
- Graphs: Visual representation helps in comparing before and after.
- Warranty: Why should you buy an OBD scanner that doesn’t work?
This brings us to the end of our article on Bluetooth OBD scanners. I hope that you found it informative. Keep it here for related posts.
