Decent obd scan tool?

Mr Sexy · Postby **Mr Sexy** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 8:38 pm

Can any one recommend a decent obd scan tool? Been having a few issues with my se, have a pretty decent miss and check light poping up that is being a pain in the ass. Just after some thing that will work decent yet wont burn a massive hole in my wallet. I tried a while ago with a cheapish one but had to return it as it was an absolute pos.

Wombit · Postby **Wombit** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 9:06 pm

I would suggest going to your local Supercheap Auto and paying the $14 or $28 for their OBD scan. The cheaper one checks what the readings are and they provide a print out. The more expensive one has them reset the codes too. That's not very useful if you haven't fixed the problem though, as the codes will come back up on the drive home.

I bought a BlueDriver bluetooth unit, but the SE didn't register properly on it and not much comes up. OBD II only became compulsory in Australia after 2006.

If you do want to buy one though, try to find one in Australia that is compatible with our local cars.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Thu Mar 22, 2018 10:32 pm

Cheap eBay Bluetooth dongle and the Torque Android App - total cost < $15.

apsilon · Postby **apsilon** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 9:12 am

I ended up buying an OBDLink MX. I've had a couple of cheap no name ebay specials but have always ended up having some kind of trouble with them either not working at all with some vehicles, not reading everything, not lasting etc. The OBDLink cost more but so far I haven't been able to fault it.

Torque or Forscan are the two I use. Forscan does have some compatibility with Mazda vehicles, not sure about the MX-5 though as it doesn't apply to my NA.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:11 am

I've got several BT OBDII scanners and, like the poster above, found some work work better than others, regardless of price.

ie. some have worked in one vehicle but not in another.

Ironically, one of the cheapest eBay version I have has always worked on every vehicle I've tried.
Unfortunately it's very long so you can't help but knock it around when getting in and out of most cars.

There's not a lot of info available on the SE OBDII port but at least you can get a real coolant temperature reading,
Throttle position and Engine Load are useful for track day logging.
Being able to read and clear CELs is useful.

See this post too: http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php?topic=31382.0

Mr Sexy · Postby **Mr Sexy** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 1:42 pm

Lokiel wrote:Cheap eBay Bluetooth dongle and the Torque Android App - total cost < $15.

You wouldn't happen to have a link handy for one in particular?

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:26 pm

This is the cheap eBay OBDII that seems to work everywhere for me:

As you can see, it's huge so will get knocked about easily.
It's one of the earliest ones available too.

I've bought a couple of much smaller ones similar to this that seem to be very picky about which cars they work on:

One was opaque white and the other black - not sure if that means much (ie. may or may not be same manufacturer, may or may not use the same design).
The small form factor is great but not much use if it doesn't work.

Before buying any of them, do some research.

Mr Sexy · Postby **Mr Sexy** » Mon Apr 02, 2018 10:16 pm

Did a bit of research, going to take the gamble and order the large black one pictured above. If it works fine I will purchase an obdii extension cable and tuck it under the dash. I will report back when it arrives.

Postby **Okibi** » Tue Apr 03, 2018 12:54 am

I have the kiwi wifi one, back in WA next weekend if you want to give it a go.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sat Apr 07, 2018 11:58 pm

Lokiel wrote:This is the cheap eBay OBDII that seems to work everywhere for me:

As you can see, it's huge so will get knocked about easily.
It's one of the earliest ones available too.

I've used the even older USB (non Bluetooth) version of this one for years, hooked up to a little notebook. I've had it on about 20 cars: Japanese, euro and Aussie:diesel, LPG and petrol. It has worked on the lot. Honestly it has saved me thousands.

They're still on eBay. Search obd USB elm327.

Mr Sexy · Postby **Mr Sexy** » Sat Apr 14, 2018 9:37 pm

Received my scan tool during the week and had a quick play today, works great definitely provides a good insight to what is going on. Thinking of leaving it in permantly using an obd extension lead, would any know if its just one single pin that provides power while ignition is off?