Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) OBD2 Reader for iPhone & iPad.

When I had my Morgan, TM was a great resource and I profited greatly from it. So, this post is an attempt to give something back, even though I now longer have my Morgan Plus 4.

On a number of occasions, there have been discussions on TM about OBD2 readers and the ability to reset MIL fault codes. When I was a regular, most of the options shared were Android based and as an Apple equipped individual
I couldn't easily find something for the iPad and iPhone.... I recall Peter's [Gambalunga] advice was "Never buy rotten fruit".

However, I recently (via another forum) came across an App on the App Store for Apple kit, called Outils OBD Facile.
This is free in basic form, with a very reasonable £10.99 fee to upgrade to the full function version if you like it.
You can also download the user manual and open it in iBooks for ready access.

Together with an ELM327 WiFi connector for ~£12 the software is easily accessible
and very clear on both the iPad and iPhone.

The ELM327 WiFi connector:


Available from a UK based supplier in 48hrs on eBay here though originating from China/Hong Kong at:
(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wireless-WiFi-ELM327-OBD2-II-Car-Diagnostic-Scan-Tool-Scanner-For-iPhone-ipad-PC/251678845583?_trksid=p2054897.c100204.m3164&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.
MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140407115239%26meid%3De5d109d3b1e646f2
8bcc9683a70e73c1%26pid%3D100204%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D30%26sd%3D151
084127303).


Below, I've taken a few screen shots of the software screens from the iPad to give some impression of what it looks like,
and what is available (Note: on a shutdown engine with the ignition on):

Outils OBD Facile home screen:


Engine ECU selection screen for vehicles equipped with multiple ECUs
(Note: This screen will also display an auto gear box ECU if applicable):


Status screen:


Trouble Codes screen:


Tables screen with various engine data:


As I said, some of the options aren't available in the basic App. In this case you get a screen pop up which looks like this:



Hope this is useful info, and happy ECU monitoring!

Edit: Correct the terrible pagination.... prepared on a WP & out of practice!

Ciao Philip. Nice to see you are still keeping in touch

Just to reinforce what you have said.

If you have an Apple it is important to get the Wi-Fi version (as in the photo) of the adaptor as the Bluetooth ones generally will not work with Apple (they do with Android).

I could not get the Bluetooth version of the adaptor in Phillip's photo to even be seen by jnr's iPad.

Once the app is installed, Is it necessary for an iPad to be connected to the Internet in order to read the info from the ECU?

No

Thanks for that Phillip....like you I'm a more of a fruit lover than Peter so I'll find this very useful!

Thank you Philip. Your OBD reader must have read my mind as well! I've recently been wondering if anybody on here recommended which connector and app was based to use for iPhones.

Can the wifi module be safely left permanently attached to the OBD socket? I'm assuming it powers down fully once the ignition is switched off.

Actually John you can't in my case, as soon as I plug the adaptor in it starts to draw power. This may be car specific I guess, so you'll need to plug it in and see.

Also, in response to RJW, as JohnS says you don't need to be connected to the Internet as the App software is stand alone. In fact, one of the disadvantages of using the WiFi connector needed for the Apple kit is that it prevents you connecting to the Internet by WiFi whilst you're using it. You can, of course, still connect to the Internet via GPRS/3G/4G etc. if you need to.

OBDII ports are generally live to a degree and kick into another mode once the car is powered up.

Mine is live, so not sure if the drain is too much of a risk for the battery. Anyway it is easy enough to get at.