Trying to use an ELM OBD2 reader in my 208 GTI!!

[Reknaw155]

Okay so my car is a Peugeot 208 GTI 2013 and I've had it under a year. Only recently I've been getting the Check Engine Light come on after a bit of driving. It could be anything from coolant level to the oil.

So instead of paying a mechanic to read the code for me, I bought a cheap OBD2 Bluetooth reader (ELM327) and tried it but I can't get it to connect to the car.

I tried my Mercedes-Benz Citan van last night and I could read off live data (RPM, any faults?) So I try it in my 208 GTI and it won't connect. I get the red light meaning it has power, then I try to connect with Torque and it'll flash green on the OBD2 reader but not connect. I tried other apps, when Piston tries to connect it says " unable to connect"

Thanks for any help guys.

[Reknaw155]

No one can help? The ELM device works in the van fine and I can access the ECU but with the car it's saying unable to connect. Wondering if it's the connector.

Thanks.

[c7aig]

I have 2 cheap OBD devices, one Bluetooth and one stand alone device. They've both worked on various makes/models with the exception of a Peugeot 206 (the only Peugeot I've tried them on).

[imagineifyeswill]

Even some quite expensive eobd scanners can get very little info from Peugeots System. I used to use a Snap On Microscan, around £200 and it could rarely get any meaningful info from a peugeot, I now use a dealer level Snap On tool but it still has limited Peugeot function.

[Krikkit]

ELM doesn't work on all machines - try a KKL cable instead, you might have better luck.

[Reknaw155]

With the KKL, do I need to hook it up to a laptop?

Is there not a compatiblely list? Or if I can find out if it should or shouldn't work? Might buy a KKL or pay a mechanic and see what he uses.

I need to read what my check engine light is as the car is drinking more juice than normal and isn't as fast.

Thanks.

[r11co]

ELM OBD adapters do not work on Peugeots. You need a Lexia 3 interface. There are clones of the Lexia 3 but some are not full implementations of it and will not work with newer cars.

[M3333]

Try selecting the vehicle as a Citroen rather than Peugeot. Ive had success doing this in the past with cheaper scanners.

[Andyjc86]

Have you got the orange engine symbol illuminated on the dash board, or a message on the display saying ‘check engine’?

If it’s the latter then a cheap reader won’t pick it up

[Reknaw155]

Yeah it's saying engine fault and giving the orange icon. My ELM scanner is meant to work with alot of different cars sadly it doesn't with mine.

I was thinking it was maybe the wrong protocol or something? The device powers but won't connect.

Looks like I'll need a Lexia 3 or pay a garage to do it.

Thanks for replies.

[Reknaw155]

Okay guys update so today I tried again and oddly enough it just worked! I've gotten three errors for my 208 GTi

P0235, P0238 and another but the first was for turbo boost sensors. Now I've dropped the car off at a garage to look at themselves.

I'm seriously hoping it's a cheap fix and won't cost me the earth but Ive noticed a drop in performance and mpg. I also get a rattle sound when the engine is cold at 1.5k-3k, wastegate rattle?

Anyway the ELM327 did work down the line, might be the OBD2 port on the car or Bluetooth device.

Peace.

[drdino]

r11co said:

ELM OBD adapters do not work on Peugeots. You need a Lexia 3 interface. There are clones of the Lexia 3 but some are not full implementations of it and will not work with newer cars.

Wrong, they work just fine.

I've been using elm readers with various apps for 12-13 years now on my Peugeots. Lexia 3/Diagbox are required for ECU diagnostics, as like all most other vehicles the generic readers can only do powertrain stuff.

OP, there is a really nice app in the Amazon Appstore called FAP (the lite version is also available in the Play store) that is basically the Peugeot diagnostic tool when it comes to ECM and TCM as you get manufacturer-specific readouts, actuator testing etc.

[Gew]

Tried connecting my cheap ELM Bluetooth dongle to a Peugeot minibus that had engine trouble just outside me. It blinked and all, but Torque app (which I've been using for VAG and Japanese cars) refused to connect.