Basic iPhone OBDII apps and dongles?

[VolvoRyan]

Hi Gang,

I've been using ELM327 dongles and various apps for Android just to check stuff on the fly. The wife is an iPhone person, and her car finally set its first CEL (at 170K miles on the Volvo P3). I gotta run out there with one of my grown up scanners (including Volvo dealership level stuff), but I was wondering if there's a wireless dongle that can live in the car that'll talk to the iPhone.... and then what iPhone apps are worth owning. For example, if it's occasional P0420/430 stuff, she can just clear it until I've a real reason to go in.

Anyone BTDT with iPhone? I don't need to get too deep. Getting deep with Volvo isn't easy anyway. So easy with Android. I've not had luck with iPhone (I purposely ignorant with Apple products).

Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[engineer2]

Check out BlueDriver
It's not a 2-way, but it's good for reading data and has a repair database.
Their pitch:
No in app fees or add-ons. One purchase gets you everything you need.
No wires - BlueDriver connects with Bluetooth.
Works on Android and iOS devices.
Designed by Professional Engineers in North America.

 

[VolvoRyan]

That's interesting, but a bigger hammer than I need.

Why is iOS a PITA?

-Ryan

 

[f121]

Try an Autel AP200. Gives you more than just basic odb2 codes, first manufacturer is free, additional manufacturers trigger an annual fee.

 

[rockbaron1]

I been using a kiwi3 obd2 Bluetooth dongle with dashcommand app for something like 7 years. I actually preordered the kiwi3 before they were released, never had any issues with it.

 

[dogdog]

... I have the ELM basic dongle from the days without apps, and apps running on it is crappy. its at max just a toy.

Recently (3 years back) bough an Ancel BD200.. it came with IOS app and worked fine for Honda and VW as basic code scanning stuff. Now they have the BD200 PRO which does transmission/abs/but not TPMS weird... $76.99 with $25 off ... app is good but I don't use it often.. Also have their basic ODB2 scanner hand held(it was on sale, worked fine.)

https://www.amazon.com/ANCEL-Bluetooth-Transmission-Diagnostic-Exclusive/dp/B0CWN69XH4?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[VolvoRyan]

Thanks guys. To be clear, I need minimal functionality. Just codes and clearing. Live data, a bonus. I'm surprised how deep some of my Android apps can get with a $12 dongle.

I have several grand invested in Volvo software, and dealership hardware. So, getting deeper is easy.... but it is handy to get info from her over the phone when the CEL lights up again.

Anyhoo, Wife's car has a massive EVAP leak. She was on her way to get gas, I asked her to make sure the cap was tight. I get a text, and the cap was simply missing. Job done. Sigh....

Keep the tips coming in. We will eventually try a Toyota.

-Ryan

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Thanks guys. To be clear, I need minimal functionality. Just codes and clearing. Live data, a bonus. I'm surprised how deep some of my Android apps can get with a $12 dongle.

I have several grand invested in Volvo software, and dealership hardware. So, getting deeper is easy.... but it is handy to get info from her over the phone when the CEL lights up again.

Anyhoo, Wife's car has a massive EVAP leak. She was on her way to get gas, I asked her to make sure the cap was tight. I get a text, and the cap was simply missing. Job done. Sigh....

Keep the tips coming in. We will eventually try a Toyota.

-Ryan

For that purpose wouldn't a $19.99 corded code reader work as well? Just toss it in the glove box. It's an extra step and you'd need to walk her through where the connector is through.