Customer Reviews

Soliport ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner, ELM327 wireless OBD 2 Scan tool check Engine Light CAR CODE READER

5 star:		(67)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

I got it just as I was done rebuilding the top end of my 04 Dodge Ram. It's nice to not have to run to the local autozone to get a code read. I'm a shade tree mechanic, and I have more and more friends who are running OBDII. This worked great with Torque. There is a pin to connect. 1234.

Like serveral gearheads that like OBDII analysis tools for their cars, I saw the advertisements for 'droids "Torque" app that provides the metrics of your cars computer analysis. It allows you to see everything a professional mechanic can see with his $3,xxx.xx Snap On scanning tools at the shops. No longer do you have to take your car in to a professional mechanic/shop when you get a check engine/service engine soon light. You plug in your OBDII adaptor to the port and then fire up 'droids "Torque" app and viola! You can see when the 'fault' the cars computer is relaying. With that knowledge, *you* can decide if it's a simple fix or a major fix. Plus, knowing what the really is, you can go to the shop and know if the mechanic is 'embellishing' the issue. Most mechanics are honest but some shops really do have some 'issues' and tell the mechanically clueless they need all kinds of stuff they don't. My mother is a perfect example...Makes me so mad! You can also 'clear' the code with "Torque" to make the check engine light go off after you've fixed the issue.

The critical component in all this is the OBDII adaptor. You have to have someway to link your 'droid "Torque" app to the cars computer. This adaptor listed here is the one most 'hits' on Google provided when I was looking for an OBDII adaptor. They were inexpensive and my initial research seemed to indicate users/buyers were happy with the product. I ordered one from Ebay but didn't realize it was being shipped from China. I'm an impatient sort so I also bought one from Amazon and had it expedited. It arrived right away and I eagerly unpacked it and installed it. I fired up my 'droid "Torque" app and followed the instructions on "pairing it"(Identifying it to the bluetooth function in my 'droid X). Right off the bat, the "Torque" app threw up a dialog box that said this adaptor was known to be a cheap and unreliable clone(how the heck can it tell ? Lol) and then it started the communications. The lights on the device indicated activity and viola! it linked. But after 5 seconds it dropped.
I grimaced and then restarted the process. Same dropped communications every time I started the application. This was on my '96 Z28. Deciding it might be just my Z28, I tried it on my daughters 2004 Kia Spectre. Same dropped communications. I tried it on my wifes 2002 Dodge Caravan. Same dropped communications.

I went into the house and went on the internet and googled to see if others had ran into this 'dropped communications' issue. Well, there it was. It looks like these cheap adaptors work out perfect about 50% of the time and fail like mine equally at 50%. I told myself, "Well, at least it didn't cost too much and, hey.. you have the one coming from China too. It might work!". Well, it arrived and its just as bad as the first one. It's not even worth returning to Amazon for a refund. lol...

Maybe you'll be lucky and get a good one. I ended up just buying the PLX Kiwi OBDII adaptor. It's much more expense at around $99 but it's as solid as a rock and works perfect every time.

Beware, this does not work with ODBII Subarus or Suzukis, tested on a 2003 WRX STI and a 2006 Suzuki Vitara - Failed to connect to ECU.

Also the cd that came with it has wear scratches indicating that it was previously used.

Works in both vehicles I have tried it with while paired with my Droid X running Torque.

Setup was really simple, I just had to plug it in to the vehicle then pair it via bluetooth. Now whenever I want to check readings or error codes, I just start up the Torque app (or similar odbII app).

I have not used the included software disc, so I can't comment on what is or is not included. It did not come with any printed instructions, so I guessed at the bluetooth code (1,2,3,4 I think is what worked for mine).

Unit did not work from out of the box. Tried on 3 autos with Proper torque android Bluetooth app and no dice.

got mine in and connected it to my 2011 mazdaspeed 3. I was using the "torque" app android on my HTC Thunderbolt. I would get data for a few seconds then an error message in torque. Okay fine, I figured it was the app/phone. Brought my Dell SXPS16 laptop out to the car and connected it up. The dongle was doing the same thing with my laptop. I tried another bluetooth driver stack, same issue. I've concluded it's damaged or something and I am sending it back for a refund. I went and just paid the extra loot for the plx kiwi bluetooth dongle.

I ordered the ELM 327 just to see if I could get lucky and get a "good one" because so many people say not to buy them. It works perfect for me with my DROID X and 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP and 2001 Mustang GT. Why spend $150 when you can spend $40 for something that does the same thing. Works perfect, 0 complaints.

The adapter worked great upon first plugin, it was able to connect with torque-lite and provide decent data flow. I went ahead and purchased the Torque Pro app and by the time I had parked the car, got gas, started it up a few times it would no longer connect via bluetooth. I tried several devices and several vehicles and the adapter is no longer discoverable via bluetooth. I will see if I can get it replaced and hope for the best.

I am using this on a 2003 Ford Explorer with a Droid Razr and the App called "Torque."

I was about ready to return this item, but then after some internet searching via Torques "Help" button [...] I was able to figure out how to get it to communicate with the "Torque" app. I would give it a five star if the manufacturer/retailer had included better guidance on getting it to work. I suppose with all the different phones/tablets/apps it's hard to provide a single, unified set of instructions....

1) Plug the ELM 327 device in the OBDII port under the car's dashboard (it's directly inline with the steering column on my Explorer).
2) Start the car (you probably don't actually need to do this step to make it work.)
3) Go to your smartphone Wireless & Networks settings and turn Bluetooth ON.
4) Go to the the phone's Bluetooth Settings and "Scan for Devices" and look for "CBT" to be found, which is the ELM 327.
5) Pair with the this device (The code is 1234).
6) Then start the "Torque" app.
7) Go to the "Settings" in Torque and select OBD2 Adapter Settings.
8) Pick Connection Type = Bluetooth.
9) Go to Choose Bluetooth Device and pick "CBT."
10) Suggest also select "Auto Bluetooth On/Off" and "Only if BT was already off."
11) Then go back to the "Torque" main screen and things should be working!
12) Good luck!

Would have been a great idea, but would not connect with my PDA or laptop. Tried all 3 programs on disc, but it was not detected...