How to Connect an OBD Scanner?

The OBD2 Scanner is the basic software that PA requires all automobiles with onboard diagnostic software to use. In modern fuel-injected vehicles, this scanner can control the ignition system and automatic transmission. OBD2 scanner tool makes all the engine faults easier to find out. 

Connectivity is another useful function that can come in handy when scanning cars. On OBD1: To use this scanner, you’ll need a corded link to begin diagnosing the vehicle. On OBD2: On the other side, you can use a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection to link the scanner to your car. There is no requirement for a wired link connection to be established.

Connecting an OBD2 Scanner to Your Car

To use an OBD-II scanner device does not necessitate any magic, gifts, or abilities. The procedure is fairly straightforward. You can also check the comparison guide with fixd to know more about OBD2 Scanner and FIXD. 

Although various models of the vehicle can have slightly different instructions. The following is a general procedure that most models adhere to.

  • Switch the car off and attach the OBD2 scanner to the regular OBD II data link adapter. Place it under the dashboard on the driver’s side, to the left of the steering wheel. A 16-pin connector can usually be found at the other end of the cable, which might fit well into the car’s socket.
  • Allow time for the scanner to activate by turning on the ignition key or driving the vehicle, whichever is specified in the manual. To start the initialization process, some scanner models may need you to push a power button. It’s critical to have the OBD2 scanner manual for the same scanner in order to be certain.
  • Whenever the scanner signals that it is set, enter all the necessary information. The size, model, and make of the engine, as well as the VIN and other details, will be included. The diagnostic device of the car will then be read or scanned. Some scanner versions will have a button for starting the scanning process, while others will need you to go through a sequence of manual steps.
  • When the auto scanner has finished scanning, it will show a diagnostic trouble code (or multiple codes) on the screen. Unless your scanner is Bluetooth compliant, you can either write them down or pass them to your computer utilizing a USB cable or Bluetooth.
  • You should then look up these DTC codes in the manual and figure out what’s wrong with your engine. Many manuals only display the basic codes; however, if you really need more advanced codes, you can search for them on the internet and certain vehicle models have just a supplemental set of codes available.
  • Switch off the Road vehicles ignition and gently unplug the OBD2 scanner until you’ve done recording the error codes.

Instructions for Connecting OBD-ii Adapter to a Car

Here are the steps to navigate you with proper instructions for connecting the ELM327 Adapter to a car: 

  • Load the MotorData OBD app on your Android phone or laptop from Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for iOS devices.
  • Turn off the ignition (position of ignition switch: OFF).
  • Link the connector to the diagnostic port on the car.

If an unusual action of the combination meter is identified after the OBD adapter was connected to your vehicle. There could have been disruptions in the action of the respective system. Attention: components connected to road safety can be harmed! For example, the anti-lock feature is disabled on certain Toyota models. A continuously blinking ABS alarm lamp indicates the triggering of a special diagnostic mode, which has a huge impact on safety!

Be Caution Before You Start

This is not safe to drive with the ABS cut-off on!

End up causing: On a few Toyota models, the OBD-adapter cuts the diagnostic mode activation pins upon the OBD-connector. This mode is only triggered whenever the pins are shorted directly after the ignition is turned on. It is caused by the “special” contacts in the general OBD-adapter and the car control algorithms, not through the MotorData OBD App.

You can also puzzle out with one of the following ways: 

1) Break the OBD-adapter connector’s 13th and 14th pins.

2) Link the OBD-adapter to the vehicle a few seconds just after ignition is turned on. Otherwise, the engine is activated by purchasing a special adapter connector.

The control unit does not enter a diagnostic mode in this situation, and the ABS does not cut off. Yet repeating this operation any time the ignition is switched on/off is inconvenient.

Remember that an OBD-adapter without the pins is not appropriate for diagnosing cars of other manufacturers or types.

3) Kindly turn the engine on or switch on the ignition.

4) The “rechargeable battery” symbol will light up when you turn the power on the adapter body.

That button triggering capability is not included on certain versions of diagnostic adapters, despite the fact that the button is mounted on the body. When the ignition is switched on, the adapter switches on naturally.

5) Please attach your mobile device to the adapter (set up connection). 

  • Depending on the variant of the connector used, choose the form of link Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in your mobile device’s settings. 
  • Make this relationship active. 
  • Please look for the adapter (by pressing the “Update” button). 
  • Choose the diagnostic adapter KONNWEI OBDII, KONNWEI Wi-Fi, or KONNWEI from its list of compatible computers. Some mobile devices will identify the diagnostic adapter even though it doesn’t have a name. Because it has an alphanumeric name – the MAC address (for example, 39: D4: FD: 1D: 95: A4). This isn’t a problem with the connector.
  • Attach the diagnostic adapter to your smartphone. “1234” is the traditional pairing password.

6) Please open the MotorData OBD app on your smartphone.

7) Please complete the car information in the “Profile” menu. This will help you to assess the program’s capabilities for your vehicle. The chosen link profile appears in the upper left corner of the application’s main page.

8) From the setting menu, go to the connection tab. Here you have to choose the type of connection from Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. 

9) Please pick the names or MAC address of the diagnostic adapter from either the drop-down list of available machines.

10) Please select “Connect” from the drop-down menu. The vehicle would be linked to the full cycle. The link details will appear on the mobile device’s computer.

11) Then return to the program’s main menu by pressing the “Back” arrow in the upper left corner of the screen.

12) Please close the submission until the diagnostics have been completed.

13) The “rechargeable battery” symbol can go out if you press the power off button on the adapter body. Switch off the engine and separate the connector from the vehicle’s diagnostic socket if required.

The sleep mechanism is introduced in certain adapter models: The power is still delivered to the diagnostic converter 30 minutes after shutting off the motor. Then the adapter goes through sleep mode and remains in this mode until another power-on button on its own body is pressed. The lack of this feature does not indicate a problem with the adapter.

Wrapping up

Hope this knowledge would assist you in keeping your desired vehicle in the right working order. This will also aid you with avoiding frequent trips to the mechanic. An integrated OBD2 scanner can be very useful in telling you about a variety of vital mechanics. 

There are several things such as the service light system, conditioning control, together with airbag control, and transmission control, to name a few. Choose the best scanner with a user-friendly interface which will make it easy to connect with.