OBD2 Software

cjep · Post by **cjep** » 05 Jun 2013, 06:38

Hi

I have an VAG-COM / FTDI USB-OBD2 cable, and wanted to run some software on my laptop that enables me to view live data. Any suggestions? Preferably something free, or something I can obtain a 'dodgy' copy of quite easily.

I have run VOL-FCR, but I cannot read live data with the version I have.

Post by **precopster** » 05 Jun 2013, 13:03

Try a OBDII bluetooth reader and Torque app on an Android device or any number of OBDII devices such as Autel MS-509 (does great live data graphs) and multiple live readings. It also has s/w that can allow you to see the same on a laptop.

jdmack · Post by **jdmack** » 05 Jun 2013, 13:46

Take a look at www.scantool.net they have some great products at very reasonable prices. I have been using their "Elmscan 5" for years and it works great.

cjep · Post by **cjep** » 05 Jun 2013, 19:07

Thanks, that is what I expected, I have to buy another cable/device... I should have read the forum a bit better before ordering the last one

At least they are now quite reasonable in price

Post by **mercuric** » 06 Jun 2013, 13:39

The FTDI cables are mainly used for K-line data. Almost all OBD-II software is focused on the ELM-327 devices, or branded devices usually based on ELM-327's or clones. This is mainly because newer cars (99+) use CAN-BUS, and the ELM-327 interface is the easiest (and cheapest) way for a programmer to communicate with newer CAN-BUS cars.

Whatever the case, Torque and an ELM-327 bluetooth interface is the quickest, easiest way to get live data off your car, although OBD-II by design has it's limits -- it was designed for emissions inspections, not real-time data logging or tuning, although some things can be logged via OBD-II. M4.4 supports most the 1st group (PIDs 0x00-0x20) of OBD-II data items, minus components that it doesn't have (IE: no 5th oxygen sensor, haha)

Since you have (2) 1998 x70 series, both of which should have Motronic 4.4, If you're into ECU hacking/tuning, check out this thread: http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/15 ... g-for-m44/ -- It started as an effort to tune M4.4, morphed into a "convert your 850 to M4.4" effort and now we're working on implementing high-speed data logging. OBD-II is neat and all, but painfully slow for tuning purposes.