What is ELM327 v.1.5?
Perhaps the most important and common question that worries buyers. We will try to give a detailed answer to it. The “original” ELM327 is a chip released to the market in the early 2000s by the Canadian company Elm Electronics, based on the PIC18F2480 microcontroller from the American manufacturer Microchip Technology. This chip converted the protocols used in vehicle diagnostic buses into the RS-232 protocol.
The cost of devices based on the “original” North American chip starts from 50 USD. and reaches 500, the price of the PIC chip itself is around 2000 rubles. Scanners based on the original ELM327 are designed for corporate consumers; they can be found at large service stations and branded technical centers. Where did the mass-produced cheap models of ELM327 scanners and adapters come from, which have become so widespread among ordinary car owners and amateur repairmen?
The fact is that when Elm Electronics released the first version of its ELM327, Canadians, for unknown reasons, did not activate copy protection on the device. And the software (firmware) of the chip was immediately “read” by Chinese craftsmen. What happened next was a matter of technique. The Chinese craftsmen, we must give them their due, managed to “stretch” the free firmware they received onto a cheaper and more widespread PIC18F25K80 microcontroller, similar in architecture, but costing several times less. They did this so well that scanners with such a chip were able to work quite reliably with the vast majority of ECUs (electronic on-board units) of modern cars. Therefore, when today they talk about OBDII scanners and adapters on the ELM327 chip, they mean Chinese chips. Working with the original ELM327 was left to the professionals. The version of the most common Chinese firmware on the PIC18F25K80 microcontroller is called ELM327 v. 1.5 and is “almost analogous” to the original Canadian firmware ELM327 v1.4b.
Circuit design of the ELM327 scanner
It is important to understand that the quality of the scanner and its functionality primarily depends on the components used. Currently, ELM327 with PIC25K80 and PIC18F2480 microcontroller, regardless of version (most common versions 1.4 and 1.5). The “fake” version of the ELM327 scanner is made on a cheaper CAN controller MCP2515, STM32F042, BK3231Q, 25K80 QBD327 has firmware that does not support, or incorrectly supports a certain number of AT commands, and there is no support for the SAE J1850 protocol (the most common versions are 2.1 and 1.5).
What is OBDII and OBDII “adapter”
OBD-II (On-board diagnostics, second version) is an on-board diagnostics standard, which is a development of the first version, created at the end of the last century. The standard allows you to gain control and insight over the condition of the engine and many other components of the car. This specification offers a standard interface for connecting sensors inside the machine and external devices that connect to a 16-pin diagnostic block (DLC). Code scanners and devices called OBDII adapters can be connected to this block, which can be found in any car manufactured after 1991.
These are miniature devices that convert signals from sensors and communicate through a wired or wireless interface with “smart” digital devices - computers, smartphones and tablets. Smart devices, in turn, using installed programs, provide information about the state of the engine in a form that is convenient and understandable for the user. Example of a wireless (Bluetooth) adapter – Mini OBD II Bluetooth ELM327 V1.5
If you have already realized that all ELM327 adapters priced up to 1000 rubles are Chinese revisions of the original, let's go further and tell you about the ELM327 V2.1 version. After 2014, Chinese manufacturers launched adapters with MCP2515, BK3231Q and some others chips, even cheaper than PIC18F25K80. For these microcontrollers they had to rework their existing 1.5 firmware (creating custom software for them is too difficult). Without hesitation, they called the “new” OBD II adapter ELM327 v. 2.1. The resulting device had a limited range of applications, in particular, there were real difficulties with compatibility with car models produced before the 2010s.
Here's what you need to remember: Chinese OBD II devices ELM327 v. 2.1. are not vertically compatible and do not “inherit” ELM327 v. 1.5. A large number in the version marking does not mean that the adapter will work “better”. This is purely a marketing move that remains on the conscience of the Chinese.
Checking elm327 with an electronic tester
We look for the presence of a jumper between the fourth and fifth contacts.
Checking the voltage on the ELM327. To do this, connect ground to pin 4 or 5, apply +12V to pin 16 and apply power.
We connect to the 7th contact of the K-line, there should be 11V on it.
We check the 15th contact of the L-line, the same 11V
We measure the 6th and 14th contact Can - line, normal 2.5V
What cars can be diagnosed by ELM327
The first thing you need to know is whether your car has an OBD 2 diagnostic connector and where it is located. The easiest way to do this is by entering the make and year of manufacture of the car .
OBD-II diagnostic connector
I will say right away that almost all cars since 2000 , as well as some earlier models, have an OBD-II diagnostic connector. Even if your car model does not have this connector, do not worry, there are adapters.
Maintaining the OBDII standard is the main condition for compatibility
ELM327 OBD2 scanners are suitable for vehicles that support the OBDII on-board diagnostic interface standard and are equipped with digital 16-pin diagnostic connectors. Through them, standardized codes are transmitted in real time, allowing fault detection. In this case, the car can be stationary or in motion.
You can determine which cars the ELM327 OBD2 scanner is suitable for by the year of manufacture, since in different countries the transition to this standard occurred at different times.
Connecting ELM327
The adapter is connected via the OBD2 diagnostic connector, which is present in all modern cars since 1996. The OBD2 connector is located inside the car, near the steering wheel and sometimes under the dashboard on the passenger side.
ELM327 connection types:
- Wired: via COM or USB port
- Wireless: Bluetooth or WIFI
There is no difference in the connection method; the ELM327 adapter transmits commands in the same way. To read information, there is a large number of software for Windows, Android or IOS. There are times when the adapter does not connect to the car, this happens for several reasons:
- poor quality adapter or firmware version
- Your car's protocol is not supported by the adapter or program
- non-working adapter
Let's look at connection problems in more detail.
What the ELM327 can and cannot do (inexpensive scanner for car diagnostics)
ELM327: features and capabilities © Telegraph Shop
ELM327 is a well-known microcontroller designed to work with on-board electronics of cars. It converts signals from the CAN bus used in transport into signals from the RS-232 protocol, which is common in computer technology. This microcontroller is used for computer diagnostics of cars.
Devices based on ELM327 are available in different formats and support different interfaces. The first diagnostic adapters were connected to the OBD port of the car, and connected to the computer with an RS-232 cable via a COM port. There are now many ELM327 diagnostic modules on the market, connected via USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This allows you to use them not only with a PC equipped with a COM port, but also with a smartphone or tablet.
Types of diagnostic adapters for ELM327 © Drive2
What can ELM327 do?
The capabilities of the ELM327 are very wide; the availability of certain functions depends on the diagnostic software used in conjunction with the adapter. Here is a list of diagnostic plan capabilities and indicators that the ELM327 can read:
- Reading diagnostic error codes (both standard and specific to individual manufacturers), deciphering their meanings.
- Clearing trouble codes and turning off warning indicators (such as the check engine light).
- Displays current data from the vehicle's on-board sensors.
- Shows the number of engine revolutions.
- Displays the calculated engine load (CLV). As a rule, it is calculated based on the MAF data.
- Coolant temperature monitoring.
- Assessing the condition of the car's fuel system.
- Vehicle speed measurement. May be inaccurate, for example, when using wheels with a larger diameter than standard ones.
- Display of fuel correction indicators (fuel enrichment control), Short Term and Long Term.
- Measuring pressure in the intake manifold.
- Ignition timing tracking.
- Measuring intake air temperature.
- Reading the mass air flow sensor indicators, displaying the current air flow.
- Monitors the absolute position of the injector throttle valve.
- Reading the exhaust oxygen sensor, identifying problems with fuel trim.
- Measuring pressure in the fuel supply system.
By monitoring these parameters, you can identify vehicle malfunctions, and after elimination, clear the error codes so that they no longer bother you.
Error codes identified during diagnosis © OBD Auto Doctor
In addition to diagnostics, on some cars, for example, Ford Focus 2 or Kuga, it is possible to enable/disable various options and systems, bind new components, replaced keys. Using special software, you can also reflash the ECU via ELM327 and do chip tuning. But such options are rather an exception; they are not available on most machines.
Disassembling the device
The first thing, of course, was useful to look at the filling (and check the functionality) of the resulting device
. Easy to disassemble - screws under the sticker
but not in this photo :))) When I took the photo, I probably put a sticker on the other side - please forgive me, I’ll correct myself 
Judging by the markings of the chip and quartz, the adapter is version 1.5
Back side…
I was pleased with the presence of resistor R2 between pins 3 and 4 of the OBD connector and the design of the connectors, which makes it easier to modify this adapter (if necessary).
The fact is that in cars using a CAN bus, some modules are located on high (HS-CAN), others on medium (MS-CAN) buses, and in order to see the maximum number of blocks it may be necessary to modify the adapter with a bus type switch
Without modifications, Chinese adapters work only on the high-speed HS-CAN bus (pin 6,14), and the MS-CAN bus contacts (pin 3, 11) are not used. To be able to switch the bus speed, you need to install a switch:
In addition, a fairly common problem with Chinese adapters is related to the way CAN is turned on - using only one 120 Ohm resistor (R2) connected between the CAN buses, while according to the ELM327 specification there should be one 100 Ohm on each, connected through a 560 pF capacitor to the ground. Therefore, you may need to turn it on/off (some types of ECUs may refuse to work with it, and some without it (fun;)) - you can install a switch or try to modify the circuit to the specification, especially since this is not at all difficult.
The connector design is very convenient for this modification.
The connector is mounted symmetrically; if necessary, you can rotate it 180 degrees. I did this right away - in my car the operation indicator was turned away from me (was not visible)
Now it looks like this
How to find out the version of elm327 usb
Short description:
Quickly identify fake or genuine ELM327 Bluetooth / Wi-Fi adapter
Description:
This application is designed to determine the real version of your ELM327 adapter, because... Many Chinese clones of this device often claim incorrect compatibility.
1 – connect your ELM327 adapter (to the diagnostic connector of your car or simply to a power source). 2 – pair your ELM327 devices via Bluetooth or connect it via Wi-Fi to a device running Android OS. 3 – Launch the application and click on the CONNECT button, select the connection type and, if necessary, select the ELM327 adapter paired via Bluetooth. 4 – After a successful connection, scanning of the adapter will begin immediately. 5 – Wait for the scan to finish and at the end the screen will display the commands and versions of adapters that should be supported. 6 – Click RESULT to view the scan report in detail. Here you can save the report to a memory card. 7 – You can click RESCAN if you want to check the adapter again.
IMPORTANT: A fake adapter does not necessarily have to not work with your car or application. If you are interested in translating the application into other languages, send me an email and I will send you the data necessary for the translation.
Thanks to the translators: Russian: obd24.ru
Android required:
2.3+
Russian interface:
Yes
1.6.12 — added portuguese[Portugal] translation (thanks to Daniel Nunes) — added lithuanian translation (thanks to Shapras) — little corrections to Persian translation
1.6.11 — added Persian language (thanks to Bobak)
1.5.10 — added Serbian language (thanks to SkyShop Team)
1.5.9 — added Arabic language (thanks to MaiThamDobais)
v1.5.8 — introduced six new commands for new official ELM327 firmware v2.2 — error correction
Source
Programs for ELM327 Windows
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PROGRAMS FOR K LINE ADAPTERS HAVE MOVED HERE
k line programs for Windows
If you purchased a diagnostic adapter elm327 , and the set of software provided in the kit seemed small to you, then on this page you will familiarize yourself with information about programs for ELM 327 for Windows and you will no longer have the question of which program for ELM 327 USB to download.
So let's get started, if you have a personal computer, laptop or netbook at your disposal, then to fully diagnose a car using the elm327 you should pay attention to several programs that have earned the greatest popularity among car enthusiasts, namely the program:
— Scanmaster download
- PCMScan
These programs are in Russian, support reading errors from the ECU of your car and show their descriptions, print the received data in the form of a set of data and graphs, and also carry out many more functions.
If you focus on programs personally “tailored” for a particular brand of car, then you should mention such programs for elm327 as
Ford diagnostic program
-FORScan download
the program works via the elm327
The program has a friendly Russian interface and with the help of the usual elm327 it can see all the car’s blocks, down to the airbags and ABS. The program can do a lot and is a real gift to owners of Ford cars, as well as Mazda and Mercury cars with which it works just as well.
ELMConfig
the program works through the elm327 adapter more details
The program was created on a voluntary basis, therefore it is distributed free of charge, but it has on board a bunch of functions that make life easier for the average owner of the Ford brand.
The program not only allows you to diagnose the car, but also supports dealer and service functions.
Program for diagnosing VAZ GAZ UAZ ZAZ
OpenDiagPro program
To fully work with elm327 , you must purchase a license; when using a k line adapter, use is free .
Diagnostic program for Chery, Great Wall, Mitsubichi and others
Tiggo Diag program more details
The system requirements for full use of these programs are very modest:
operating system type: Windows 98, 2000, XP;
processor with a frequency of 150 MHz;
RAM 16MB;
free disk space - 50 MB;
availability of Bluetooth (if using Bluetooth adapter model ELM 327).
Thus, armed with this set of software, you can easily diagnose not only your car, but also almost any car of your friends and acquaintances.
ELM327 how to distinguish version 2.1 and version 1.5 visually
I continue about adapters. In order to visually show the difference between these adapters, I recorded a video on YouTube. Maybe this will be more clear.
Comments 41
Good time! Thank you very much for the post. So I already ordered from the link!) Such a question. Does this Elm pull the battery while it is permanently in the connector?
yes but not significantly.
Here's how. On a frosty winter morning, I hope it won’t leave you without a charge?))) The connector is located under the removable panel on clips. Yes, and I wouldn’t particularly like to jerk it back and forth.
I'll read it now) thank you)
send me a link to the adapter with the PIC18F25K80 chip, where did you get it from?!
but the fact of the matter is that this is an adapter without a PIC18F25K80 chip, even if it is version 1.5. Open it up and see what chip it is on. screws under the sticker
that is, it will go on cars like you said after 2009?
The funny thing is that bluetooth sees it but doesn’t connect(
Well, that's right. Bluetooth doesn't affect anything. The adapter consists of 2 parts. OBD2 interface and Bluetooth transmitter. Here is the OBD2 interface and it is made on different chips. If you are familiar with cables for mobile phones or HBO, then they were also assembled on different chips FT232RL and PL2303, as if both the USB TTL interface but they work differently.
that is, that it (the adapter) does not connect to the phone, is this normal?
I change the password type, enter it, I enter it and that’s it, the window is removed and that’s it.
that is, that it (the adapter) does not connect to the phone, is this normal?
Yes, it appears, but the bluetooth icon when there is a connection with another phone changes the icon in the screen header but does not change here.
Source
What is the ELM327 scanner and how to use it
The designation ELM327 is well known to many car owners. This is a scanner or adapter that connects to the car’s on-board computer via the OBD-II connector. A useful device is used to diagnose faults, read performance indicators and reset ECU (electronic control unit) errors.
Scanner ELM327 / aliexpress.com
The scanner got its name from the microcontroller, which is a kind of connecting link between the car’s diagnostic bus and a computer or smartphone. This chip, developed by a Canadian company, fell into the hands of Chinese electronics manufacturers, who jumped at the chance to copy it.
Scanner version ELM327
Let us repeat once again that the quality of the scanner and its functionality depends only on the components used. Currently, unfortunately, it is not possible to determine a high-quality and “fake” version of the ELM327 scanner based on the firmware version. Initially, the “fake” scanner clones had version v2.1, but later, in order to be able to somehow sell the “fake” scanners, the manufacturer deliberately changed the numbers for version v2.1 to v1.5. Thus, by purchasing a “fake” scanner on a cheap CAN controller (MCP2515, STM32F042, BK3231Q, 25K80 QBD327) with version v1.5, the user essentially receives the same fake as v2.1. A high-quality ELM327 with a PIC25K80 and PIC18F2480 microcontroller most often has versions v1.4 and v1.5
