The ELM327 adapter allows you to easily diagnose the condition of your car using personal computer. It supports OBD-II protocols and is also compatible with a variety of diagnostic programs. The adapter reads as standard codes errors, as well as special manufacturer codes (there are about 3000 codes in the database), and then displays their meaning on the computer screen.
Using the ELM327 adapter, you can view the values of various sensors. It shows, for example, the number of engine revolutions, engine load, short-term and long-term fuel consumption, the state of the fuel system, data on coolant temperature, and absolute air pressure and air mass flow. The adapter reads data from the throttle position sensors, lambda probe and fuel pressure. You can comfortably view and analyze all these and many other values on your computer screen.
The adapter can diagnose the condition of almost all US cars made in 1996 and newer, European cars newer than 2001, and diesel cars made in 2004 and older.
ELM327 allows you to work with all OBD-II protocols:
- ISO14230-4 (KWP2000): Daewoo, Hyundai, KIA;
- ISO15765-4 (CAN bus): Audi, Opel, VW, Ford, Jaguar, Renault, Peugeot, Chrysler, Porsche, Volvo, Saab, Mazda, Mitsubishi;
- J1850 VPW: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Isuzu;
- ISO9141-2: Honda, Infinity, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche;
- J1850 PWM: Ford, Lincoln, Mazda.
It's better to have the firmware, or software, was original, developed by the copyright holders, that is, the Canadian company ELMElectronics. This ensures proper operation of the device. This is what the bulk of the money is paid for. Chinese “clones” of the adapter usually work with firmware that is far from ideal.
For the convenience of users, the company's specialists have developed two versions of the adapter: USB and Bluetooth.
IN USB versions An FTDI chip (FT232 and modifications) is used to communicate with the computer. After the computer detects the adapter and installs the drivers, you can begin diagnosing the machine using any specialized program, for example, ScanMaster-ELM. Please note that despite the presence of a COM or USB port on the PDA, it is not possible to connect the diagnostician to it.
The Bluetooth version of the scanner communicates with the computer wirelessly, which can be very convenient. In order to run diagnostics, you must first find an adapter on the network, install drivers, and then specify the desired COM port in a specialized diagnostic program. I must say that secret code pairing is usually 1234 or 0000.
The company continues to improve its product. If ELM327 1.3 was released only with a USB cable, then starting with ELM327 1.4 it is also available in a wireless version (ELM327 USB v 1.4 and ELM327 Bluetooth v 1.4, respectively).
Firmware versions 1.3 and 1.4 work with all known OBD-II protocols. But, unfortunately, they do not allow diagnosing cars of the BMW, VAZ, GAZ, ZAZ brands; they only work with some models of Mersedes, Citroen, Pegue and Renault. But they identify problems with the Vortex and Tagaz brands.
The USB version has a plastic coating that protects the adapter chip from damage and is light weight. The diagnostician itself does not conduct electric current. The scanner shows about 20 parameters according to protocol standards, and its software is very convenient and clear interface. Its type of Bluetooth works with any devices based on Symbian S60, Palm OS, Windows mobile,Mac OS.
Version 1.5 on this moment the latest existing version of the diagnostician. He significantly expanded the list of diagnosed vehicles. Firmware version 1.5 can already perform a comprehensive check of not only almost all foreign car brands, but also Russian ones. For example, Chevrolet Niva 2007, VAZ 2105 2009, VAZ 2110 2005, VAZ 2114 2012, VAZ 111740, GAZ-2217 Sobol 2008, GAZ 31105 Chrysler 2.4 and Lada GRANTA 2012. The new version of the adapter has added a few more interesting features. Now the program has a graphical display and log, can take a freeze frame, and also show instant and time tests of the sensor.
Firmware 1.5, like previous versions, has two options for connecting to a computer, wired and without (USB and Bluetooth, respectively).
Bluetooth 1.5 firmware will allow you to turn not only your computer, but even your phone into your own personal diagnostic center. The adapter displays errors in a form convenient for analysis: in the form of graphs or “alarm clocks”. It can record the route and take measurements of various indicators.
The developers have released another version of the popular diagnostic tool - v 1.5 mini Bluetooth. It is very small, so it does not interfere with the operation of the machine and can be used constantly without unplugging it from the socket. Radius wireless network- 5-10 meters. The line of universal diagnostic adapters continues to improve. And the best feature of any of the auto scanners is that having purchased the device once, you can change your car even daily, the scanner will always know what is happening with your car, no matter what it is.
There are a huge variety of different options and modifications of ELM327 scanners on the market.
This is due to three reasons.
First: the original ELM chip was released in at least 5 “revisions” - different versions. Over the years, the Chinese cloned different revisions of the original and at a certain point they themselves ceased to understand the difference in the products produced.
Second: the quality of the firmware clone can vary greatly and depends on the degree to which the Chinese have “implemented” their improvements.
Third: the quality of components and materials highly depends on the greed of the manufacturing factory and can vary from “basement” to completely factory-made with quality control of each produced copy.
Version number differences
All versions (numbered 1.0-2.2) differ from each other in the set of supported commands - the higher the version number, the more commands the ELM327 chip “knows”. In general, any device based on the ORIGINAL ELM327 chip with firmware 1.0 is quite suitable for diagnosing modern cars - it has all the commands necessary for connection.
In the case of Chinese clones, their version numbering is in no way related to the firmware version numbering of the original chip. That is, if the scanner is sold as ELM327 1.5, then it will support all commands up to version 1.4b (version 1.5 actually does not exist, this is an invention of the Chinese). Versions of scanners that are sold as ELM 327 2.1 are usually the cheapest fakes and are not worthy of attention.
Checking with OBDmax program
Our program checks the scanner responses for appropriate different versions command firmware and, based on the totality of the results, makes an assessment - a good or bad copy of ELM327. This check is sufficient to determine the scanner firmware and the quality of its components - low-quality devices hang on certain commands during testing and stop responding to requests.
To test ELM327, you need to launch the application and select the menu item "Check ELM327 Quality"
On the screen that opens, click the "Check ELM327!" button. and select your device (bluetooth or wifi) - if the device is connected to power (to the car), testing will begin.
After the usual check, you need to do a “thorough” one - switch the switch above the button. The Chinese have learned to insert cut-off firmware from normal ones into low-quality devices, and during standard checks one gets the impression that the scanner is good. On many cheap ELM327s, a regular check shows a result of 60-80 points, and a thorough check shows less than 50, which indicates that the device is of low quality.
On good device the difference in points between a regular check and a thorough one will be 2-4 points, no more.
Not rarely choosing diagnostic equipment for their car, motorists are faced with a problem: all scanners are built on the same chip, but their sizes, connection methods and prices are different. What is the difference and what kind of scanner is needed for your car? We will try to figure it out in this article.
First of all, it should be noted that all scanners are based on ELM327 The microchip is the same, so the functional features of all scanners are not very different. Moreover, not only the number of functions, but also the speed of operation do not greatly depend on the connection method (whether USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). The fact is that the exchange speed in most cases is limited by the speed of operation Engine ECU- so hope that the scanner is on WiFi or USB will work faster than a similar one on Bluetooth no need to.
Let's take a closer look at each group of scanners
1. USB scanner– appeared among the first on the market. It is based on a converter COM-USB (RS232). The main disadvantage of this scanner is that in most cases it can only work with programs for PC, and only a few programs on Android capable of connecting a scanner via USB(For example, TORQUE). Also, scanners of this type are large in size and are often limited by a cable length of several meters. Recently, such adapters have begun to become inexpensive Bluetooth scanners on a chip ELM327, which are smaller in size, have no restrictions due to cable length and can be connected to more devices. And even if your PC (computer/laptop) do not have built-in bluetooth module, it can always be delivered using inexpensive USB-Bluetooth adapter.
2. Bluetooth scanners– the most popular self-diagnosis devices on the market. They are distinguished by a variety of designs (small, large, with a power button), low price and the ability to connect to almost any device, be it smartphone, tablet, computer and evenaviator or radio. Also the advantage of such 
scanners are easy to connect: no drivers are needed, just install the program on the device, insert the scanner into the connector and you can carry out diagnostics. I would also like to note Bluetooth scanners with shutdown button. Since in most cars power is supplied to the diagnostic block regardless of whether the ignition is on, a scanner left in the connector can, albeit slowly, drain the battery during long periods of inactivity (scanner consumption 30-40 mAh). To prevent this from happening, you must either remember to remove the scanner from the diagnostic block, or buy adapter with OFF button Perhaps the only drawback Bluetooth scanners microchip based ELM327, is the inability to connect to devices based on iOS. Therefore, to connect i Phone/iPad/iPod Do you need a scanner with a wireless connection? Wi-Fi.
3. Wi-Fi scanners– designed specifically to work with devices based on iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod), but despite this they can also work with devices on other platforms (PC, Android, Windows mobile/CE). Like bluetooth scanners They come in different sizes, with or without an off button. They also have a larger range of action than bluetooth scanners. The disadvantage of such scanners is that some specialized software is not yet able to work with Wi-Fi scanners based on ELM327, but only work with USB or Bluetooth adapters(TECU, Vauxcheck).
We hope this article helped you choose scanner for self-diagnosis of the car. If you have any doubts about which scanner you need, you can always call or write to us and our qualified managers will help you choose a device for diagnosing your car.