ELM327 and App or Vaux Tech2?

[Huntsman]

For my sins I have a Vauxhall Combo van, 2008, 1.3CDTI and even worse I really like it.

Its got a problem, I think is turbo wastegate related. So I need to do some diagnosis, there is no warning light illuminated on the dash and my £5 code reader shows nothing.

would I be better spending £50 on Tech2 or a similar amount on an ELM327 device and the Torque app?

I can see it possible to buy a £3 ELM327 device, but I'm not sure if they are any good.

Thoughts?

[Watchman]

A £3 elm does the same as a £50 one. It’s the app that does the interpretation.

Torque is good - reads fault codes that are logged in the ecu but not all cars log all faults.

For £3, it has to be worth a go, surely? Actually, I can see from my previous orders that my elm was only £1.69.

[stevieturbo]

Huntsman said:

For my sins I have a Vauxhall Combo van, 2008, 1.3CDTI and even worse I really like it.

Its got a problem, I think is turbo wastegate related. So I need to do some diagnosis, there is no warning light illuminated on the dash and my £5 code reader shows nothing.

would I be better spending £50 on Tech2 or a similar amount on an ELM327 device and the Torque app?

I can see it possible to buy a £3 ELM327 device, but I'm not sure if they are any good.

Thoughts?

"Tech2" is the Vauxhall dealer stuff and does not cost £50, unless its an illegal Chinese clone.

Much the same as OpCom on ebay, is usually the illegal copied/hacked version of VauxCom in the UK.

Generic app's and an ELM327 are nowhere near the same thing, nor as capable...but the price also reflects that.

The cheap OBD stuff is handy but really of limited use for proper diagnostics.

However, a proper description of the perceived problem, symptoms and history cost nothing.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Watchman said:

A £3 elm does the same as a £50 one. It’s the app that does the interpretation.

Torque is good - reads fault codes that are logged in the ecu but not all cars log all faults.

For £3, it has to be worth a go, surely? Actually, I can see from my previous orders that my elm was only £1.69.

Not necessarily - the Vauxhall Op-com is more thorough and will display codes specific to Vauxhall/Opel/newer SAAB vehicles, including ABS errors etc.
They're only £15 on eBay and do the job fine (I've got one for my SAAB 9-3) - You need one of these if you've got an Opel derived vehicle.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Opel-Diagnosti...

OBD is a standard interface and there are a number of standard error codes that most manufacturers include. Opel and other manufacturers have their own specific error codes, hence the need for an Op-Com to be able to read them. VW have VAG-Com.

Edited by Dr Doofenshmirtz on Thursday 6th September 22:10

[annodomini2]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

Watchman said:

A £3 elm does the same as a £50 one. It’s the app that does the interpretation.

Torque is good - reads fault codes that are logged in the ecu but not all cars log all faults.

For £3, it has to be worth a go, surely? Actually, I can see from my previous orders that my elm was only £1.69.

Not necessarily - the Vauxhall Op-com is more thorough and will display codes specific to Vauxhall/Opel/newer SAAB vehicles, including ABS errors etc.
They're only £15 on eBay and do the job fine (I've got one for my SAAB 9-3) - You need one of these if you've got an Opel derived vehicle.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vauxhall-Opel-Diagnosti...

OBD is a standard interface and there are a number of standard error codes that most manufacturers include. Opel and other manufacturers have their own specific error codes, hence the need for an Op-Com to be able to read them. VW have VAG-Com.

Edited by Dr Doofenshmirtz on Thursday 6th September 22:10

The other problem with obd2 is that they operate a different fault table to the internal fault system and the obd fault may not be mapped accurately (on purpose). I. E. Glowplug fault may actually be cam sensor fault.