Testing the ELM 327 scanner on a VAZ-21074i car

In this review we will talk about the ELM 327 car scanner, which was tested on a VAZ-21074i car with a 21067 engine. But the scanner is not limited to use on this particular car and can be used on different models that support the OBD2 protocol. The ELM 327 auto scanner is designed to diagnose the on-board electronic system of a vehicle and allows you to identify faults. The device was initially developed by Canadian specialists and then replicated by the Chinese. There are a lot of varieties. Both the physical design (USB, COM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi) and different firmware versions (1.5, 1.6, 2.1, etc.) may differ. The review considers the wired version with a USB interface and firmware version 1.5.

Adapters based on the elm327 chip for Lada (VAZ) 2114 cars

There are several varieties:

  • ELM327 Bluetooth;
  • ELM327 Wi-Fi;
  • ELM327 USB.

These devices support work not only with domestic cars, but also with imported cars (after 1996).

Elm327 for VAZ 2114 allows the car owner to do:

  • diagnostics and error reset;
  • monitoring and analysis of readings from main instruments and sensors;
  • monitoring the current state of the car.

The elm 327 scanner is easy to use, even a novice car enthusiast can handle it.

Where is the diagnostic connector located?

The typical location of the diagnostic connector on VAZ cars is in the passenger compartment under the dashboard. But at the same time, its location differs on different models:

On VAZ 21099i, VAZ 2108i - below the shelf, on the passenger side;

On VAZ 2115 – below the cigarette lighter;

VAZ 2112, VAZ 2111, VAZ 2110 – to the right of the steering column;

  • Kalina - above the cigarette lighter;

  • Priora - the connector is located behind the glove box.

Elm327 for VAZ 2114: instructions for use

Using the example of a VAZ 2114 2012 ISO 14230-4 KWP (fast init, 10.4 kbaud) Gasoline Russia, we will demonstrate how the elm 327 diagnostic scanner with an OBD II Bluetooth connector works. As a rule, the device is supplied with a disk containing a special program in Russian for full diagnostics of the car.

Elm 327 Bluetooth operates on Android version no lower than 4.2 (there will be no connection on lower versions). Any device on such platforms is suitable for full scanning.

Before starting work, the user must install on a smartphone/tablet a program to interact with the auto scanner, which is necessarily included with the device. It is this program that will analyze the condition of the car, quickly finding sources of possible problems.

The process of scanning the car’s condition using ELM327 Bluetooth involves sequentially performing the following steps:

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  1. The device is inserted into the connector (in the VAZ 2114 it is located at the bottom). After this, the light on the device should light up.
  2. The car ignition is turned on.

LAUNCH X431 CR3001

Relatively expensive OBD2 adapter from the Middle Kingdom. Its cost is 1000-1500 rubles. The device connects to many phones and laptops. It has a wired connection and its own small screen. This allows you to use it even without mobile gadgets. The connection connector is reliably protected from moisture and dirt by a special cover. This auto scanner is considered quite accurate and reliable. In terms of diagnostic quality, it is often called premium.

The adapter is suitable for fairly old cars, starting from 2000, of most well-known brands. It can also be used to check modern domestic or Chinese cars. The gadget has a Russian-language menu, which is not very convenient, largely due to the quality of the translation.

Elm 327 does not connect to the ECU (electronic control unit): what to do?

If the elm327 adapter does not connect to the VAZ 2114 ECU, then it is possible that you purchased version 2.1 or version 1.5, which was converted from 2.1. The fact is that such devices use a different version of the Bluetooth module, which supports only 2 protocols out of the available 6. In this case, the adapter connects to a smartphone/tablet, but when you try to connect to the car’s ECU, a message appears that the ECU is not responding.

If your adapter elm327 VAZ 2114 really belongs to version 1.5 and has all six protocols, then you can correct the work and adapt to the ECU commands by manually entering initialization lines.

Such attentive and responsible attitude towards the technical condition of your own car will be a guarantee of safety for you and your loved ones. Trips of any distance will no longer be a test of your own luck and will turn into comfortable trips that bring maximum pleasure.

It should be noted that such situations arise quite rarely. As a rule, a high-quality car scanner purchased from a reputable seller does not present the owner with any unpleasant surprises. The main thing is that during the process of purchasing/ordering a device, the make of the car, the year of its manufacture, etc. are taken into account. It is advisable to check with the seller how well the elm327 adapts and works on the VAZ 2114.

What cars is the scanner compatible with?

To determine which car scanner is suitable for a personal car, it is enough to determine the data exchange protocols. To do this, you need to look at the OBD-2 block and clarify which contacts are present on it:

  • The presence of pin 7 (K-Line) indicates that the ISO 9141-2 protocol is used for diagnostics. Such diagnostic connectors are used in cars made in Asia and Europe.
  • Pins 4, 5, 7, 15 and 16 indicate the ISO14230-4KWP2000 protocol, which is commonly used on Daewoo, KIA, Hyundai, Subaru STi and some Mercedes models.

Useful video

You can learn more about how the scanner works in the video below:

In conclusion, it should be noted that using elm327 for the VAZ 2114 you can significantly save on car diagnostics and fix problems immediately after they appear (either on your own or at specialized service stations).

Car Scanner ELM OBD2 supports work with wireless OBDII adapters based on the ELM327 chip and operating via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

It is the adapter that ensures communication between the program and the control unit of your car. Both the ability to connect to it and the quality of the connection to the car depend on the correct choice of adapter, so it is very important to approach the choice of adapter responsibly.

If you don’t want to read a detailed description and just want to know which adapter and where to buy, scroll down.

Adapters can be divided into three groups based on connection type:

  1. WiFi
  2. Bluetooth (classic, versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.x)
  3. Bluetooth LE (version 4.0 and higher)

Which one you choose depends on the operating system of your phone/tablet.

Rating of auto scanners

The most important key parameter in a diagnostic tester is the software, which determines the entire functionality of the device. Based on this criterion, all scanners are divided into three types: inexpensive “readers”, multi-brand and dealer ones. Belonging to a certain category is reflected in functionality and adaptability to a particular type of work. In this regard, when choosing the best devices, VyborExpert specialists relied on the following characteristics:

  • Software;
  • Control interface;
  • Connection;
  • Versatility;
  • Russification;
  • Method of displaying information;
  • Device type;
  • Branded software update;
  • Price.

When selecting the best diagnostics for the top, we took into account compliance with the specified parameters, reviews of users and professionals. Based on the results, 15 best models with different functionality and prices were selected for the rating review. Based on the conclusions made, each tester was assigned a category and a conditional quality rating, which determined the position in the rating.

The best thickness gauges

Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Apple iOS (iPhone/iPad) supports Bluetooth LE (4.0) and Wi-Fi adapters. Adapters using classic Bluetooth (versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.x) cannot be used with Apple iOS devices due to limitations in the iOS operating system.

At the same time, Bluetooth 4.0 adapters have a number of advantages over Wi-Fi adapters:

Firstly, Wi-Fi adapters interfere with the mobile Internet (because your iPhone/iPad will try to access the Internet through the adapter's Wi-Fi network), but Bluetooth LE (4.0) adapters do not.

Rokodil ScanX

The quality and speed of diagnostics are the main advantages of this diagnostic adapter among competitors in the budget segment. The scanner is compatible with both domestic and imported cars that have an ODB2 connector, and comprehensive and accurate diagnostics will not ignore even the air conditioning system. Bluetooth version 4.2 provides high speed reading and visualization of information on your phone, tablet or PC.

The scanner will also help when choosing a used car - with its help you can find out the real mileage and VIN, which will protect you from unscrupulous sellers. The device is also perfect for use as an on-board computer.

A reliable element base guarantees resistance to overloads and protection of the ECU from failure. There is an on/off button on the front side, and when idle, the scanner goes into power-saving mode.

Google Android

Google Android supports adapters with classic Bluetooth (versions 1.x, 2.x, 3.x) and Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth adapters have both advantages and disadvantages when working with Android compared to Wi-Fi adapters, but they are very dependent on the build and settings of Android on your device.

Advantages: Wi-Fi adapters interfere with the mobile Internet (because your smartphone/tablet will try to access the Internet through the adapter’s Wi-Fi network), but Bluetooth adapters do not interfere.

Disadvantages: some Android smartphones/tablets do not work correctly with several simultaneously connected Bluetooth devices (for example, with a Bluetooth adapter and a car’s multimedia system).

Know-how of modern computer diagnostics

This is accessibility, the ability to diagnose the car yourself.

Currently, scanning for flaws in the functioning of a car can be easily done in a garage before a serious flight or simply an emergency stop on the side of the road. For example, if the “check engine” window lights up on the instrument panel.

Special equipment is not required. To identify the cause of the problem, only certain skills are required, as well as:

  1. vehicle,
  2. laptop,
  3. adapter,
  4. cable for connecting via a computer adapter to the vehicle controller.

Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows Mobile 10

Car Scanner for Windows supports adapters with classic Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Possible pros and cons are similar to those already described in the section about Android.

First, a little bitter truth. All cheap adapters (less than $50) are not real adapters with the ELM327 chip, but their Chinese clones, fakes, which only pretend to be the original ELM327 and work “like an ELM327”.

What's wrong with cheap Chinese clones?

Remember: buying a cheap Chinese clone (fake) is equivalent to playing against the casino. The casino always wins.

Most Chinese clones have many different glitches.

There are several options for Chinese clones:

  1. Old clones with version “v.1.4” or “v.1.5” indicated. They were made on the same chip as the original ELM327, supported 90% of the commands and, in most cases, performed as well as the original ELM327. Unfortunately, the cunning Chinese decided to “optimize” the business and switch to a cheaper clone version, so now it is very difficult to find a good old clone.
  2. New clones that have the version “v.2.1” indicated (sometimes they already indicate 2.2). It's just a piece of shit. 100% of these clones have various glitches (see list below). If you see a cheap adapter version “2.1” and you are not completely sure that it is the original ELM327, DO NOT BUY IT!
  3. The smart-ass Chinese realized that buyers are trying to buy an adapter version “1.4” or “1.5” instead of version “2.1” full of glitches. So what did they do? They simply changed the line with the version number from “2.1” to “1.5” and now they are selling the same crap of version “2.1” under the guise of “1.5”.
  4. High-quality modern Chinese clones. Typically, manufacturers of such adapters indicate their name. Those. you are buying not just “ELM327 OBDII adapter”, but some “branded” adapter, for example Viecar, V-Gate, KONNWEI. Such adapters are practically no different from the original ELM327. A distinctive feature of such adapters is that they come in original housings. Thus, real Viecar adapters look oblong, smooth and slightly longer than regular adapters. V-Gate adapters have a button and a rubberized body. Branded adapters always come in high-quality packaging, and not just in transparent cellophane.
  5. Counterfeits of branded Chinese clones. Yes, the situation with counterfeits has reached a new level. Now you can find a counterfeit of a branded Chinese clone. It is usually very easy to distinguish a fake - it will have a clearly reduced price, a simple body, and no branded packaging.

① Vgate iCar2 ELM327 auto scanner with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi

Rating: 4.8 Price: from 865.00 rub.
up to
RUB 1,490.83
Go to the store The Vgate iCar2 multifunctional scanner is used to diagnose faults in passenger cars that are read from the ECU according to the OBD2 standard. The device has compact dimensions. Firmware version – 2.1. The adapter supports all OBD2 protocols, ensuring stable data transmission with reliable parameters.

Advantages:

  • The kit includes a disk and setup instructions
  • small size
  • beautiful original box, suitable for a gift
  • reads a large number of parameters, erases errors

Flaws:

  • due to its small size, it is not always convenient to press the button on the scanner when it is inserted into the connector

Buy on AliExpress.com

⑧ Bluetooth scanner KONNWEI KW902 ELM327 V1.5

Rating: 4.8 Price: 840.55 rub.
Go to the store

Konnwei KW902 with Bluetooth 3.0 module is an excellent scanner for automatic vehicle diagnostics using OBD2 and EOBD protocols. Compatible with cars from the American, European and Asian markets manufactured after 1996. Reads engine speed, fuel consumption, coolant temperature, mileage and other parameters.

The adapter only connects to Android devices. For iOS there is a version of KW902 WiFi.

Advantages:

  • reads a large number of parameters, erases errors
  • CD with manual and laptop program included
  • allows you to activate hidden functions

Flaws:

  • Doesn't work with all programs

Buy on AliExpress.com

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