OBDII Reader ELM327

[Stocky789]

Hey guys,

Just purchased a $35 OBDII reader for my 2002 GTI Golf and im using the Torque Pro app for android via bluetooth and its failing to find the ECU i also noticed the reader was a little tight to plug into the OBD port. Is this normal for these golfs? Do they not have a true OBD port / is it not readable?

Little confused why it wouldnt just work, if anyone else has gotten theres to work please tell me how!

[Umai Naa!!]

Do you have an aftermarket radio?

If so, unplug it and try again.

[Stocky789]

Do you have an aftermarket radio?

If so, unplug it and try again.

As in stereo radio? No mate its still the genuine CD player

[Delewin]

I also have an OBDii ELM27 connected to torque pro on my Samsung galaxy S7. It works on my XTrail but does not on my new Tiguan.

I looked at the the 2 units that support VW and ended up biting the bullet and got the Ross -Tech VCDS HEXNET v2 usb.

This is the most expensive but it gives you the most number of options and modifying the ECU is basically select from the drop list rather than entering long strings of code with the chance of a typo stuffing everything up.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Stocky789]

I also have an OBDii ELM27 connected to torque pro on my Samsung galaxy S7. It works on my XTrail but does not on my new Tiguan.

I looked at the the 2 units that support VW and ended up biting the bullet and got the Ross -Tech VCDS HEXNET v2 usb.

This is the most expensive but it gives you the most number of options and modifying the ECU is basically select from the drop list rather than entering long strings of code with the chance of a typo stuffing everything up.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Thanks for that mate, thats a little extreme for what i want to use it for.
I just want to scan codes and watch some fancy gauges its a bummer its not working. I'm going to try some software on my laptop this afternoon and see if that works to eliminate my phone being an issue.

[adey88]

Hey guys,

Just purchased a $35 OBDII reader for my 2002 GTI Golf and im using the Torque Pro app for android via bluetooth and its failing to find the ECU i also noticed the reader was a little tight to plug into the OBD port. Is this normal for these golfs? Do they not have a true OBD port / is it not readable?

Little confused why it wouldnt just work, if anyone else has gotten theres to work please tell me how!

I have a similar setup on my MK5 GTI and it all works perfectly, there might be something wrong with the obd2 device if it doesn't detect your ecu. I use a unit like below which is wifi not Bluetooth.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/231177929373

[Stocky789]

I have a similar setup on my MK5 GTI and it all works perfectly, there might be something wrong with the obd2 device if it doesn't detect your ecu. I use a unit like below which is wifi not Bluetooth.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/231177929373 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/705-53470-19255-0/1?campid=5337592361&toolid=10001&mpre=https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/231177929373)

Yeh thanks mate I'll buy that one and see how it goes. I have a strange feeling there bluetooth driver issued with my phone. It connects to the OBD reader but on all the apps i try it always fails to find a protocol to read the ECU. Any possibility this car isnt OBD compatible?

[adey88]

I'm no expert but why would it have an odb2 port if it wasn't?

At $30 or whatever the adaptor costs it's a small risk to take especially if myself and others have got it working. I don't see why the mk6/7 would be that different.

Good luck either way

[HaydEn]

Hey guys,

Just purchased a $35 OBDII reader for my 2002 GTI Golf and im using the Torque Pro app for android via bluetooth and its failing to find the ECU i also noticed the reader was a little tight to plug into the OBD port. Is this normal for these golfs? Do they not have a true OBD port / is it not readable?

Little confused why it wouldnt just work, if anyone else has gotten theres to work please tell me how!
Do you have the key turned to on?

[Delewin]

6789 is the key code that came with mine.
Good luck.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[Stocky789]

Do you have the key turned to on?

Yeh mate tried it with ignition and motor running. I'll try it out on another vehicle tomorrow that i know for sure works with OBD2 devices, I have ordered a WiFi one anyway since that's what I see most people using. But any reason why it was tight to get on? Its like the plug was slightly a different shape.

[Stocky789]

Alright blokes so i purchased another OBD2 reader this time a WiFi one and again still no ECU connection, powers up and connects to OBD reader and begins to search for a protocol but fails
One thing i did notice is pin 16 on my OBD port has no power, but if this is the case why does my OBD device still power up?
Also is it possible that even though my radio is genuine that it could still be stuffing this up?

[HaydEn]

Do you have a early mk4?
If so need a mk3 suited reader.

[Stocky789]

Do you have a early mk4?
If so need a mk3 suited reader.

I've got an 02 model? Does this count as an early model or?
Do you know why I wouldn't have power to pin 16 and is this the supply of power to the OBD reader usually or something else? Little confused why my unit is still powering up even though pin 16 has no voltage on it and have been told by numerous people now to check that pin for power.

[HaydEn]

No idea on the pin issue.

Mates handheld reader works on his mk3 and another mates early 4mo bora, but does not work on the R32.

[theresanothersteve]

I've bought a number of ELM327 devices over the years.

One problem I had with the Jetta is the size of the enclosure surrounding the diagnostic port. Several of the ELM327 were too short, resulting in the body of the device hitting the dash fascia and preventing proper contact. An ELM327 with a longer receptacle, or a narrower body, works fine.

With android bluetooth works fine, but if you have iAnything make sure the device says it is bluetooth compatible with iOperatingSystems. If not you will need to go for wireless and create an adhoc wireless network. This has the disadvantage of preventing your devices accessing the internet if they are in range of the ELM327.

HTH

[Stocky789]

I've bought a number of ELM327 devices over the years.

One problem I had with the Jetta is the size of the enclosure surrounding the diagnostic port. Several of the ELM327 were too short, resulting in the body of the device hitting the dash fascia and preventing proper contact. An ELM327 with a longer receptacle, or a narrower body, works fine.

With android bluetooth works fine, but if you have iAnything make sure the device says it is bluetooth compatible with iOperatingSystems. If not you will need to go for wireless and create an adhoc wireless network. This has the disadvantage of preventing your devices accessing the internet if they are in range of the ELM327.

HTH

Yeh mate i had the same issue with the first one i bought it was very thick

But i checked pin 16 again fellas and turns out there is in fact power there

So anymore ideas that could be stopping this from working?

[DV52]

I've bought a number of ELM327 devices over the years.

One problem I had with the Jetta is the size of the enclosure surrounding the diagnostic port. Several of the ELM327 were too short, resulting in the body of the device hitting the dash fascia and preventing proper contact. An ELM327 with a longer receptacle, or a narrower body, works fine.

HTH

Perhaps one of these might help (OBD2 extension cable)?


http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2017/05/dsc_5717_-3.jpg

[theresanothersteve]

Perhaps one of these might help (OBD2 extension cable)?..
Yeah, but they're about the same cost as another ELM327. And I have this aversion to stuff on a cable rolling around near my feet! I've found even if you think you've got something fastened it comes unstuck at the worst possible time.

[Stocky789]

Perhaps one of these might help (OBD2 extension cable)?




What benefit would an extension cable give me?
Has anyone got anymore ideas to why this thing won't connect? It's very concerning and my next step is taking it to someone to figure out why this won't work and the last thing I want is to spend hours on some clown troubleshooting something he has no idea about

[Umai Naa!!]

Have you tried a different OBD scanner on it?

[DV52]

What benefit would an extension cable give me?
Has anyone got anymore ideas to why this thing won't connect? It's very concerning and my next step is taking it to someone to figure out why this won't work and the last thing I want is to spend hours on some clown troubleshooting something he has no idea about

Stocky: Very good question - if you look at the prelude to my post, you will notice that I was suggesting the cable option in response to steve's access problem for the OBD port on his Jetta.

But as you say - best to avoid "clowns" !

Don

[Stocky789]

I have just bought myself a VAGCOM cable im hoping this will work
Do you reckon it was a waste of money? Or will it work?
Whats the difference using a VAGCOM opposed to another scanner?

[Stocky789]

Have you tried a different OBD scanner on it?

Ive tried 2 and they both work on the other cars i have tested them on

[DV52]

I have just bought myself a VAGCOM cable im hoping this will work
Do you reckon it was a waste of money? Or will it work?
Whats the difference using a VAGCOM opposed to another scanner?

Which "VAGCOM cable" did you buy and from where did you buy it?

[stefcio007]

I would say try the adapter on another car to make sure you didn't get a faulty one, but now you've said your second one doesn't work either.
Either the adapter isn't making correct contact with all the pins, as mentioned here previously, or your OBD port is somehow damaged.

Anything after 1996 should work with generic OBD adapters, if not, you probably have to get one that supports the K-Line protocol.
Check that PIN7 does NOT have 12V on it.
If does, your scan tool will try to pull it to ground to initiate a comms session and blow the fuse on the K-Line, at this point I don't think it will work anymore.

However I have accidentally done this before and didn't blow any fuse and managed to get comms later with K-Line supported adapter (USB only).


The adapter I bought was advertised as a KKL VAG-COM 409.1 USB Auto Cable.

[Stocky789]

Alright so where is the fuse for the Kline module?
I'll check pin 7 for power tomorrow and see if there is any
I bought my vagcom cable off ebay i assumed they were all the same?

[Stocky789]

Alright so where is the fuse for the Kline module?
I'll check pin 7 for power tomorrow and see if there is any
I bought my vagcom cable off ebay i assumed they were all the same?

Ive tried both the adapters on several cars and they all worked except for my golf obviously

[Umai Naa!!]

Maybe try a completely different scan tool on the Golf? It could just be a compatibility issue.

[Stocky789]

Maybe try a completely different scan tool on the Golf? It could just be a compatibility issue.

That's why I have bought a vagcom cable buddy when it turns up ill see how it goes. Its definitely not a software issue because the apps i am using have both worked on other peoples golfs, its failing to communicate with the ECU thats the issue.

[CraigR]

Just FYI - was using ELM327 and Torque app on our 2002 mk4 last night, worked perfectly fine.

[Stocky789]

Still having this issue lads. I bought yet again another adapter and it still doesn't work, I have checked the adapters with others cars and they all worked fine. I checked pin 7 (Kline) and it has 2.4v on it and checked the resistance on pins 4 and 5, they come up good.

Is 2.4v normal for the Kline and if this is the problem how do I go about fixing it?

[DV52]

Perhaps one of these might help (OBD2 extension cable)?

What benefit would an extension cable give me?
Has anyone got anymore ideas to why this thing won't connect? It's very concerning and my next step is taking it to someone to figure out why this won't work and the last thing I want is to spend hours on some clown troubleshooting something he has no idea about

from "the clown"
https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2020/04/rphy25apng-1.jpg

Don

[Stocky789]

Thanks mate. So just to confirm should I have 12v on that Kline pin? I currently have 2.4v

I guess I need to check those other two fuses as well

I have a factory VW radio, should I still just cut the wire out of it?

[DV52]

Thanks mate. So just to confirm should I have 12v on that Kline pin? I currently have 2.4v

I guess I need to check those other two fuses as well

I have a factory VW radio, should I still just cut the wire out of it?

Stocky: the reason for me including the very simplified wiring diagram is to confirm to you that the car does indeed use Kline protocol. But the real reason for my diagram is to show that the car also appears to use CAN technology as evidenced by the inclusion of a CAN Gateway module (j533) and "can-high" & "can-low" lines (see my diagram).

I'm most certainly NOT experienced with your car, but my (very simplified) wiring diagram tells me that Kline protocol is used to communicate with 2 x modules only: the radio and the dashboard insert module. Without investigating the rest of VW's wiring diagrams for the car - I assume that the rest of the modules are in fact CAN controlled (again, I'm assuming).

I'm also not experience with ELM327 devices - I have actually used one of these for a very brief period but I quickly tossed it into the bin (thankfully it didn't cost much). Anyhow - sure, go check all the fuses if you want, but unless you have errors showing on the dash, I suspect that you are chasing a red-herring!

If your car isn't showing symptoms of errors - then pure diagnostic logic suggests that the problem MAY BE elsewhere: perhaps your ELM device isn't compatible with dual OBD protocols? Perhaps the ELM unit is faulty - the unit that I purchased/chucked-away did not have a high build quality? Perhaps the CAN high/low wires on your car from the OBD socket (DLC in my picture) to J533 are broken, or the mating connectors are faulty? I don't know - I'm just speculating!

Finally, I'm also not experienced with ISO 9141/14230 standards (KLine protocols) -but as to your specific question about the voltage on the Kline pin - my understanding is that the ISO standard requires a scan-tool to initialize a communications session by pulling the K-line to ground.

The K-line is supposed to have some voltage on it, but through a high-impedance source. So the voltage measured is very dependent on many variables related in the main to the Kline comms activities during the time measured AND most importantly, dependent on the type of measuring device. Done correctly, Kline voltage measurement should use a high impedance oscilloscope because volts are time dependent. Multi-meter measurements (I assume that you used one of these) of Kline voltage is grossly inaccurate and should be consider to be "indicative" only. However, you shouldn't expect +12 volts if you are using a simple multi-meter: if the K-line has +12 on it, something is definitely not right

Don

[Conrodfrustrated]

I have a 2010 118TSi. Just wondering if the ELM327 would work in it. I bought one for my Hilux from Banggood. It works great on my S9 Samsung phone. I just leave it plugged in permanently to the Hilux. I would buy another for the Golf as they are only $10.

[sn809]

Depends what you want to do with it. Just connect the UTE one to the TSi and see how you go. You can put the new one in the Hilux if it works but it will be very limited in function.
Keep in mind shipping is a nightmare now, wait times have gone well into an extra fortnight if not more.