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Using the iOBD2 Scan Tool

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iOBD2

• The iOBD2 interface is an inexpensive and easy to use diagnostic interface that allows the technician to:– Read and record DTCs

[Diagnostic Trouble Codes]– Read freeze frame data – Reset the ‘check engine’ light

after a repair– Read and record live data and

display it as a graph– Read OBDII monitor statuses

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iOBD2

• The iOBD2 can also display custom dashboard• Performance data can be obtained by

combining vehicle data and GPS data to determine horsepower and torque during a road test

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Getting started

• Open the App Store to download the software application

App Store

• Type iOBD2 into the search box then hit the ‘Search’ button on the keyboard

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Download the X-Tool application

• Select the iOBD2 app by X-Tool Tech and tap on ‘Free’

• In the menu bar select ‘iPad only’

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Setup Bluetooth

• Insert the iOBD2 unit into the OBDII DLC connector under the dash

• The DLC is a sixteen pin ‘D’ shaped electrical connector

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Diagnostic Link Connector location

• The DLC is located inside the cabin, within arm’s reach of the driver

Most likely locations

Left side location is MAX 300mm from the vehicle centerline

Alternate locations

300mm

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Diagnostic Link Connector location

• Normally the DLC is located under the steering column

• The iOBD2 interface module is powered by the +12 volt and ground terminal on the DLC

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Connecting the iOBD2 interface

• Insert the iOBD2 interface into the DLC

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Go to ‘Settings’ to link by Bluetooth

• Go to the settings App on your iPad to setup the Bluetooth link between your ipad and the iOBD2 interface module

• Make sure that no one else in your area is currently using their iOBD2 while you are setting up the Bluetooth connection

• If there are other students using a Bluetooth linked iOBD2 device move to another area of the shop or make the Bluetooth link outside the shop

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Settings

• Select the iOBD2 interface module

• Go to Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on

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Open the iOBD2 App

• You will be asked to setup a vehicle file the first time you open the App

• Input the data for the vehicle you currently drive or will use the iOBD2 interface on most often

• NOTE. The iOBD2 interface works only on vehicles built in MY 1996 and later

• Select the iOBD2 icon to open the App

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Select ‘Settings’ from the main screen

Connection Failure!

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Select ‘Connections‘ on the settings menu

• Select connection to change the wireless interface type

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• Before connecting to the interface the app needs to know the type of connection

• Select ‘Bluetooth MFI’ then return to the main screen

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Connecting to the iOBD2 interface

• When you return to the main screen you should see ‘Please wait’ at the top of the screen and a flashing ‘Bluetooth’ icon in the upper left corner while the handshake between the ipad and the interface module is being made

• If ‘connection failure…’ is shown at the top of the screen check the Bluetooth settings in the iPad settings screen. If the Bluetooth setup looks good check for power and ground at terminals 4, 5 and 16 at the DLC

Please wait …

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Main Screen

• When ‘Connection Successful’ is shown on the top of the screen the interface is ready for use

Connection Successful

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Main menu

• The diagnosis menu is a generic OBDII scan tool that is used to read codes, read serial data, check monitor readiness status and view freeze frame data

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Main menu

• The ‘My dashboard’ allows you to set up custom dash instruments that can be seen easily as you drive the vehicle

• Note: Whenever a scan tool is connected to the DTC the communication between the scan tool and vehicle may interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle

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Main menu

• The ‘Performance Test’ links data from the iOBD2 interface with data from the iPads GPS unit.

• This test is useful in evaluating the performance of the vehicle before and after making modifications to the engine or driveline

• Test done in this app need to be repeatable – 20 to 60 mph acceleration tests without changing gears is a better test than a 0-60 test as there should be no wheel spin during the test.

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Main menu

• The performance graph calculates horsepower and torque during an acceleration test and displays the results as a graph

• The vehicle weight needs to be input into the ‘settings/vehicle’ screen before torque and power can be calculated

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Main menu

• The ‘Settings’ screen is used to change:

– Wireless communication protocol

– Units of measure– Folders for vehicle history

records– Custom alarms

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Main menu

• The ‘History’ screen is used to recall data from prior tests

• Whenever you see in the upper right corner, you can save all the data on the screen to the current active folder by tapping on the save button

• The active folder is the folder you select or setup in ‘Settings’ when you first connect to the vehicle

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Create a folder for vehicle data

• Open the settings screen and select vehicle

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• Select ‘Vehicle’ to change the vehicle data folder or create a new folder

• All saved vehicle data will be stored in this folder

• Each time you save data a new sub folder labeled with the current date is saved in the history folder

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• Use the ‘+’ button to create a new vehicle folder

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Use the thumb-wheels to input Make, year and engine size

Use the keyboard to enter the Model

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• The vehicle folder with the check mark is the active folder where all data will be saved

• Select the info icon on the right to edit the folder properties

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Vehicle information

• The information screen allows you to edit some of the data

• You can alter the model to help identify the vehicle – ‘Bob Smith’s 2011 Civic’

• This is also where you can delete the vehicle

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Scan Tool Operation

• Select ‘Diagnosis’ from the main menu to begin using the iOBD2 in scan tool mode

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Diagnosis main screen

• The ‘Diagnosis’ main screen has 8 sub-menus

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Trouble codes

• Select ‘Trouble Codes’ to view:– Currently active trouble codes– Pending trouble codes

• The ‘Trouble Codes’ is also used to reset the ‘Check Engine’ light

• Note: resetting the ‘check engine’ light will erase all freeze frame data and reset all monitor statuses to ‘not tested’

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Trouble codes

• If there are multiple codes you may need to scroll to the bottom to read them all

• Tapping on the info icon will give you a brief explanation of the code

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Trouble codes

• The built in code database is limited• Copy the code[s] and go to AllData for more

information on what the code means and how to test the system to determine the exact cause of the code

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Trouble codes

• If a fault occurs the will cause the vehicle to exceed 150% of the allowable emissions for that model year a Pending Code is set in the vehicles computer memory

• If the same fault occurs in two successive trips the ‘Check Engine’ {MIL} light will illuminate and a hard code will be recorded*

• The vehicles OBDII system monitors the operation of the emission control system

* with some exceptions

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OBDII Drive cycle [Trip]

• The OBDII systems runs diagnostic for all emissions related system during a complete drive cycle [trip].

• A drive cycle begins with an engine start when the coolant temperature is below 160 degrees F.

• The coolant temperature must rise 40 degrees F during the trip

• The vehicle must idle for a least 45 seconds and must be driven at speeds between 20 and 40 mph for 4 minutes or more

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OBDII Drive cycle [Trip] – cont.

• About 10 seconds of ¼ throttle or more acceleration is required and the vehicle must decelerate to 0 mph at some point

• A short acceleration of up to 55 mph at ½ throttle is needed as well

• The test should cover 8 to 10 miles of driving and take about 12 to 15 minutes to perform all the test.

• If the trip does not fulfill all of the requirements any test data recorded during the test is erased

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Pending codes

• If a fault is detected during a completed trip a pending code is set – the check engine light will not illuminate

• If the same failure is not detected on the next completed trip the pending code is automatically erased

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Hard codes & freeze frame

• If the same fault happens on two consecutive trips the ‘check engine’ light illuminates and a hard code [DTC] is recorded in the vehicles memory

• The moment the code is set a number PIDs [parameter ID] are recorded in memory as an aid to the technician in determining the root cause of the failure

• PIDs stored in freeze frame include:Engine RPMVehicle SpeedCoolant TemperatureMAP and MAF values

Throttle positionCalculated loadLoop statusO2 sensor voltage[s]

Short term fuel trimLong term fuel trimIntake air temperatureIgnition timing

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• Late model vehicles have permanent [non-erasable] codes that remain locked in memory after a DTC reset

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P0123

Trouble Codes

BodyChassisPowertrainNetwork

0 = SAE [Generic]1 = Manufacturers

0 = Total System1 = Fuel Air Control2 = Fuel Air Control3 = Ignition System4 = Auxiliary Emissions Systems5 = Idle Speed Control6 = PCM & I/O7 = Transmission8 = Transmission

Specific circuit or system

All OBDII Codes are 5 characters long

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Clearing codes

• Tapping on the ‘Clear Trouble Codes’ button will erase all trouble codes and turn off the ‘Check Engine’ light

• Besides clearing the codes all of the freeze frame data will be erased

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• Before clearing codes tap on the ‘Save’ button in the upper right corner

• This will save the code to the history file [on your iPad ]

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Live Data

• Live data is the meat and potatoes of the OBDII diagnostic system.

• Live data displays the output of selected sensors and may also display PCM output commands

• The amount and type of data displayed varies with the vehicle, model year and the software application

• Software updates can sometimes be purchased that provide a greater amount of vehicle sensor and output data

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• Tap on each PID [Parameter ID] you want to view

• Alternatively you can tap on ‘All’ to select all available PIDs

• If the vehicle network is slow the data updates may take several seconds[slow frame rate]

• You may want to select just a few PIDs so that the data update is faster

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• After selecting all the PIDs you want to view tap ‘Done’ to begin receiving live vehicle data

• Tapping the ‘Inverse’ button clears all the selected PIDs

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• Data for each selected PID now appears on the right side of the screen

• Tap anywhere on the PID line to display the data as a graph

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• The scale on the left side will auto-range to fit the maximum and minimum values

• The pause button in the upper right corner allows you to freeze the display

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Saving a screen

• If you want to save a data display:– Press and hold the Sleep/Wake

button– Press the Home button

• The screen will flash white for a second and you should hear the camera shutter sound

• The image is stored in the ‘Photos’ folder on the main screen

Sleep / Wake button

Home button

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• The dots at the bottom of the live data screen indicate the number of pages of data available

• Unlike most iPad apps scrolling is done horizontally in the live data screen

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• Click on Save to save to the history file

• The data folder that you setup in ‘Settings’ will hold the data on the screen at the time you tapped the save button

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Freeze Frame

• If there is more than one DTC the DTC with the higher priority will overwrite the lower priority freeze frame data

• Some vehicles will display more data than others but they all should display:

• Freeze frame is a snap shot of PID data that is recorded the moment a DTC is set

Vehicle speed Engine RPMCoolant temperatureMAP/MAF

Calculated LoadLong term fuel trimShort term fuel trimDTC that caused the code to be set

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• The freeze frame data shown here was set by code P0123

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Readiness Test

• The readiness test checks to see if all of the monitors needed to pass a state emissions test have been completed and passed

• If any of the test show ‘supported and incomplete’ the vehicle will fail a state emissions test

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• Select ‘Monitor status since DTCs cleared to see if the vehicle will pass emissions testing

• Select ‘Monitor status this driving cycle’ to see if the road test done after a repair was sufficient to run the monitor for the system that was repaired

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• When the indicator here is red the PCM has commanded the MIL light [Check Engine] on.

• These 3 emissions devices are not installed on this vehicle

Readiness Test

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MIL light On status

• When buying a used car you should always check the MIL light status with a scan tool

• It is common to find that the bulb that illuminates the check engine light has been removed on an older car

• During a state emissions test if the Readiness test status reveals a MIL light status of ‘on’ the vehicle will fail the test

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Vehicle Information

• The Vehicle Information screen shows:– VIN Number– ECU [PCM] calibration numbers– In-use performance tracking

• ECU calibration numbers are used to determine if the PCM has been re-flashed and if the software can be updated to a newer version

• In-use performance tracking keeps tabs on how many times the system monitors have run

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• Compare the Calibration ID numbers with those listed in AllData or Identifix to see if a re-flash is appropriate

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O2 sensor test

• The O2 sensor test displays the results of the last monitor test of the oxygen sensor

• The values here are stored values – not live data

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• Select the sensor you want to look at• On a V6 or V8 engine Bank 1 is the side of engine

where #1 cylinder is located• The is no Bank 2 on an inline engine [4 cyl]• Sensor 1 is the sensor closest to the combustion

chamber• Sensor 2 is normally at the converter output

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• The most useful data here are the lean/rich and rich/lean switch times

• The switch times should be less than 100ms

• When switch times increase above 100ms the sensor has become lazy and is due for replacement

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Mode 6 Data

• Mode 6 data is raw data that the PCM uses for basic vehicle operation and emissions testing that can be accessed for diagnostic purposes

• The amount and type of Mode 6 data varies between vehicle and scan tools

• The Mode 6 data is stored data that was recorded when the monitor was last run

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• Cylinder misfire data is valuable data that can be used to track down the cause of a P0300 code [random misfire]

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• The system records how many times a misfire was detected over a 2000 revolution period

• If one cylinder has a substantially higher number of misfires it points to a fault at that cylinder

RPM/Load block

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• This test is often run several hours after the engine is shot down

• The heaters for the O2 sensors are turned on and the PCM measures the change in current flow as the heaters warm up

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Component test

• Component test are bi-directional controls where the scan tool is used to command the PCM to turn an electrical circuit on or off

• The only b-directional control found on most generic scan tools is the EVAP system test where the scan tool is used to close the canister vent solenoid and open the purge solenoid

• This test is useful when using a smoke machine to find the source of an EVAP system leak

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• Tap on Evap Leak test to begin the test

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Non Scan Tool functions

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Dash Boards

• Dashboards are primarily intended for hobbyist who want to tinker with there vehicles

• They can be useful in road testing a vehicle for an intermittent problem that doesn’t have any gauges

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3 boiler plate dash boards

Idle Mode Cruise Mode Sport Mode

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Custom dashboard

The custom dashboard allows the user to select and display 8 PIDs simultaneously

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Heads-Up display

• When the iPad is placed on top of the dash the reflection of the iPad screen on the windshield will be easily readable

• The HUD button is available in all of the dashboard modes

• The HUD function inverts and flips the display to a mirror image

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Performance test

• The acceleration test measures the time and distance traveled while accelerating between two preset velocities

• The 0-400 meter acceleration test is timed ¼ mile test that records elapsed time and trap speed

• Performance tests use the data from the VSS [vehicle speed sensor] and GPS to determine how fast the vehicle can accelerate

• If the weight of the vehicle and the rate of acceleration are known the amount of engine torque can be calculated

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Acceleration test

• The acceleration test requires the user to input a start and end velocity

• You normally want to choose a range that will allow you to remain in second or third gear so that the engine will be near redline at the end speed

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¼ mile test

• The 0 – 400 Acceleration test simulates a ¼ timed run…400 meters is 7 ½ feet shorter than ¼ mile

• The timer starts as soon as the VSS exceeds 0 mph and ends when the vehicle has traveled 400 meters

The distance here is greater than 400 meters because the data transfer rate between the vehicle and the iOBD2 is relatively slow

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Performances Graphs

• Performance graphs are normally recorded under a full throttle acceleration run

• There are two test modes• Vehicle speed / Engine RPM• Engine RPM / Engine torque

& Power

• Currently the program displays engine power in Kw [the metric equivalent of horsepower] regardless of how the unit of measure is setup in settings

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• This graph shows the effective gear ratios as the vehicle accelerates and decelerates

• The vehicle shown has a CVT transmission so the graph is very different from a vehicle with a standard transmission

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• To convert kw to horsepower divide by 0.746

Example:86.1 kw / 0.746 = 115hp

• The weight of the vehicle is needed in the power calculation

• If the weight shown here is incorrect it can be changed in the settings window

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History

• The history screen allows you to review data that was recorded in previous sessions

• You don’t need to be link to the iOBD2 interface to access the history screen

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• Select the vehicle you want to review

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• Select what type of data you want to look at

• Selecting ‘Edit’ allows you to delete unwanted history files

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• Tap on the delete button on the left edge of the data folder and the folder will shift left to reveal the delete box on the right

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• Tapping on the folder line opens a screen that contains all the data at the moment the ‘Save’ button was tapped

Vehicle was running in electric mode when save button was tapped

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Trip Map

• When a dashboard is opened the start point and end point of a trip is recorded in the history file.– Note: the end point is

currently the first time the vehicle comes to a dead stop

• When the trip is opened in the history file the start and end points will be displayed on a map

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Updates

• The manufacture of the iOBD2 interface is continuously updating the software

• Go to the App Store and tap on the ‘Updates’ icon on the bottom of the screen

• If there is an update available tap on the update box to begin the download