Real Time Engine Monitoring with Smartphone - Questions

Post by **E Showell** » 31 May 2013, 19:15

Ok -- So who does real time engine performance monitoring with a Smartphone?

What app are you using to do so?

Where did you get the app and what did it cost?

What hardware is associated/required?

What type of phone are you using?

What data does it capture/display?

How useful has the ability to conduct this monitoring actually proven?

Any other thoughts/comments/words of wisdom on the subject?

Post by **xtrattitude4u** » 01 Jun 2013, 02:08

I am using the ELM327 bluetooth adapter with my 1998 S70. Got it off amazon.
The "newest mini elm327" fit under the armrest quite well.
I got it for less than $20.I believe it will work for any blue-tooth capable phone.
I am using the Torque app on my android-based samsung galaxy s2. Downloaded on my phone from google play.
Torque is fantastic. You can try the free version first,
but the pro version is only $5 and is worth much more than that.

All these features work on the s70: (except for boost haha)
short/Long term fuel trim
O2 sensor voltage
emissions status indicators
vacuum
coolant temp
throttle position
manifold pressure
Turbo Boost
RPMs
Does 1/4 mile and 0-60 times.
Reads fault codes also, but I dont have any to test that out.
Was probably the best $25 I ever spent . . .

Post by **E Showell** » 01 Jun 2013, 06:11

Ok -- I'll bite -- and further display my ignorance . . .

So what is fuel trim anyway and why do I care if I can read it? What does it matter short term/long term?

Has the ability to read any of this information actually made a difference in how you drive/maintain your car?

And notwithstanding that I can obtain all of this information, where can I obtain baseline values? So, for instance, even if I can determine that my intake manifold pressure is X millibars, what difference does that make if I don't know what the normal spec. tolerances are anyway?

What I am asking is how valuable a tool is this in terms of real world applications for the data obtained?

ezliving4ume · Post by **ezliving4ume** » 01 Jun 2013, 08:01

I have a s3 android, torque pro is the app and the adapter is a elk327 from new egg. I went with new egg because of the reviews on the adapter. Which were some work and some don't so make sure you can send it back. I didn't have the problem.
I am also struggling with, yes I have the information but what does it mean? It seems that the basic stuff is mia. I can't read engine oil psi or transmission temp.

Post by **xtrattitude4u** » 02 Jun 2013, 14:33

Fuel trim tells you if your ECU is compensating for a lean or rich condition, very useful for MPG issues.
http://www.obd-codes.com/faq/fuel-trims.php
Viewing your front O2 sensor voltage in real time will tell you if it is lazy or working properly.
http://www.autodiagnosticsandpublishing ... esting.htm

The data you need is out there, just gotta do a little searching.

A failing throttle position sensor can cause many serious drive-ability issues that can be difficult to diagnose.
Viewing the voltage as you sweep through the throttle range will show if it is bad.
(it will jump erratically when you hit a certain point)
This is a test I am going to perform on my fiance's Jeep soon btw.

Comparing data to gauges will show if you have an actual problem, or just a gauge problem.

The ability for you to view any stored trouble codes instantly on your phone and to clear them is worth more than $20 alone, IMHO. You can't really get a scan-tool for that cheap.
I don't have any codes with which to test that, though, and I consider that a good thing.

Post by **osman** » 02 Dec 2013, 16:23

I have a Kiwi by PLX devices ($100) and an ELM327 from Amazon($12) and Torque Pro ($5) on my Motorola Razor Maxx HD running Android Operating System. If you work on your car yourself: THERE IS NO CHEAPER SCANNER (code reader) Than an ELM 327 and Torque Pro ($20) The most valuable tool IMO is that you can read oxygen sensor waveforms in realtime, so instead of throwing money and parts at something like a vacuum leak, or other rich/lean condition that can throw an O2 sensor code, you can see its performance in real time, and 99% of the time ITS NOT the O2 sensor. Just to be able to read codes for $20 is incredible, to be able to read O2 waveforms on a standalone handheld scanner will be $300. Torque can also inform you if your sensors are ready and passing for emissions test for those that have them.

Post by **rmmagow** » 03 Dec 2013, 13:12

So, any Android device with BT capability should work ok, i.e. doesn't have to be a SmartPhone as such?
I want to buy a Samsung/Acer/Asus android tablet, 10 inch screen and use it for this as well as regular tablet functions. Should work right?

PencilShavings · Post by **PencilShavings** » 03 Dec 2013, 13:43

Thats so neat

Post by **precopster** » 03 Dec 2013, 13:54

Any bluetooth capable Android tablet will work. I use Torque Pro and the cheapest ELM327 I could find. I use a Samsung Note 2 smartfone.

First connection with my 2000 V70 (Denso) takes afew attempts but after that it's great. I monitor live vacuum/boost, average fuel consumption, present fuel consumption, OBD read speed with correcting factor for oversize tires, engine revs, coolant temp with a pre-set alarm at 108degC (in case of a burst hose)

The only issue is the awkward placement of the OBDII port under the armrest which leaves it in a semi raised position.

You can setup multiple vehicle profiles so you don't have to make adjustments when switching b/w vehicles. Also there's a video plug-in for a couple of bucks to enable video during performance runs, say 0-60mph or 1/4 mile with a whitewashed version of the regular screen

It connects first time every time on my P2 S60 AWD turbo so it must have a more compatible system on the Bosch ECMs.

Post by **MrPc** » 03 Dec 2013, 21:40

I've used the cheap Amazon ELM327 bluetooth adapter and Torque Free with my '96 850R.

I had never had the chance to pull a code with it, because my car never threw any. Nor any stored codes. But the other day while fooling with the upper torque bushing, I accidentally started the car with the accordion pipe disconnected from the maf, throwing a code and illuminating the check engine light.

I was curious to see how my adapter and torque would display the code, so I hooked it up for a look. I was surprised to find no codes indicated at all. I tried a few times with the same result. For kicks, I tried clearing the codes, and the check engine light immediately when out, and has stayed off since.

Has anybody else seen anything like this? Dodgy Elm327 semi-working? Pilot error? Any theories?