I just entered the 21st century. Got a Samsung Galaxy 3 smart phone.My question is this. Is it a pain in the back side to set the phone up everytime I get in the truck to tow? Would I have to go through several steps in order to make it function as gauges to read tranny temp, etc. Or does it remember where it was and I will only need to hit one button to made it into a truck systems reader?I know with a Scan Gauge II, it's dedicated to being system reader. I also know it would cost a hundred dollars more to get and set up. Another draw back to me, at least, is the readout. It seems to be more difficult to glance at and know the numbers, while a smart phone has larger numbers, and a simulated analog gauge readout, which I believe would be better while driving.With the smart phone, I'd use it like a Scan Gauge II while driving, but it would revert to phone use when I was stopped and out of the truck.Would appreciate any thoughts.

Not at all. Get yourself s ODB dongle off of places like Ebay for less than 20 dollars. Plug it into the ODB port. On your phone you download Torque. Once you have both, start the motor, turn on the bluetooth and look for the dongle. Once you have it captured and connected, start Torque. Look through the list of available things you can read and setup Torque like you want. Then when your ready to go, simply plug your phone into a charge cord, and turn on bluetooth, and start Torque.

IMO, the Torque app is not really a replacement for Scanguage II fuctionality. I've found Torque to be limited based on the vehicle being used - not all functions are available. It's not really orientated for RV use anyway. In my case, MPG readouts were not working at all with mine. Have even posted on their forums, but no clear answer from the developer.I'd would just try Torque and see if it works with your setup, and gives you the readouts important to you. Free to try.

Hopefully this new competing technology will cause Scan Gage to update their unit. Although it works, their display and function is something from the 80's.

I use Torque with an old smartphone I had lying around doing nothing and a Bluetooth OBDII dongle. I just leave both hooked up in the vehicle when I am on trips. Once it is set up, it takes just a couple of seconds to turn on. Torque can display any information that the ECU can provide. The MPG calculation is pretty close for me (<= 5%), but you can adjust it to make it even closer. The dongle was about $25 and the app was $5.I say go for it.

nightcrawler wrote:I use Torque with an old smartphone I had lying around doing nothing and a Bluetooth OBDII dongle. I just leave both hooked up in the vehicle when I am on trips. Once it is set up, it takes just a couple of seconds to turn on. Torque can display any information that the ECU can provide. The MPG calculation is pretty close for me (<= 5%), but you can adjust it to make it even closer. The dongle was about $25 and the app was $5.I say go for it.Yep. Old smart phones ar easy to come by. I use a droid x and I'm pleased. If you leave the phone connected to the vehicle it will start ok, but it does take a couple minutes for it to see the dongle and make a bluetooth connection. I love being able to make the display show only what I want and how I want.

Use of android phone instead of dedicated scan gauge II

KA4EBU
Explorer
Oct 11, 2013
az99 - mchero. The service manager did say if it was what he suspected it could run around the 350 range.
mchero
Explorer
Oct 10, 2013
KA4EBU wrote:
Mchero. I had an ABS problem light, It was the wheel speed sensor. Went to Jeep dealer last week an the techs were in school. They called yesterday and said check back next week, techs in school. Are they there learning chinese or what. I went to Autozone, scanned, showed which sensor (17.99) and I replace in less than 1/2 hour start to stop.
My Torque did not show these pids.

LOL, I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has the airbag light on. Everything points to the clock spring.... When I went to look up a price for the clock spring it was something like $600+

Looking at other clock springs the average price is $100 to $300. What do you think the dealer is going to charge me if I bring it in for service?

I think the PID your referring to are not available because Chrysler/Jeep wants to keep all that info under wraps. Only the dealer!
az99
Explorer
Oct 10, 2013
KA4EBU wrote:
I went to Autozone, scanned, showed which sensor (17.99) and I replace in less than 1/2 hour start to stop.
Lucky for you the dealer techs were in school. That sensor would have been $84.99 and 3 hours of labor @ $125 per hour to install. Plus leave your car for 2 days. :)
KA4EBU
Explorer
Oct 10, 2013
Mchero. I had an ABS problem light, It was the wheel speed sensor. Went to Jeep dealer last week an the techs were in school. They called yesterday and said check back next week, techs in school. Are they there learning chinese or what. I went to Autozone, scanned, showed which sensor (17.99) and I replace in less than 1/2 hour start to stop.
My Torque did not show these pids.
Atlee
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2013
Thanks.

unbob wrote:
Atlee wrote:
Is there any dongles to stay away from over at Amazon? Any brands better or worse than their brethren?
The BAFX Products - PIC18F2480 Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool seems to be THE ONE to get on Amazon. 4.5 stars and over 1,200 user reviews!

I have not tried this device so cannot further comment - sorry.
AprilWhine
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
donn0128 wrote:
Not at all. Get yourself s ODB dongle off of places like Ebay for less than 20 dollars. Plug it into the ODB port. On your phone you download Torque. Once you have both, start the motor, turn on the bluetooth and look for the dongle. Once you have it captured and connected, start Torque. Look through the list of available things you can read and setup Torque like you want. Then when your ready to go, simply plug your phone into a charge cord, and turn on bluetooth, and start Torque.

Thanks!
mchero
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
GordonThree wrote:
Unless it's a limitation of Torque-Lite, I've found it only interfaces with the ECU, and not the other multitude of computers in a modern automobile. For example on my Dodge Charger (2011) and Subaru Outback (2006), the ECU only provided specific information about the engine. Transmission information is a different computer, and not accessible from Torque-Lite. Also, I could not access the body computer, to get a read out on battery voltage, etc.

I would hazard to guess a properly equipped scan-tool would know how to access these additional computers.

The manufactures are not releasing info about the multitude of computers in your car, just the ECU. You need to speak to the manufactures!

I have a 2K5 Jeep Grand Cherokee that has the "multitude of computers" I can only see the standard data from the ECU. All the other computers? You have to go to the dealer.

Sucks, especially for the independent mechanics who don't have access to this data. The mechanics at the dealer? They are too busy going to classes to learn all these systems.
gijoecam
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
It can measure measure the manifold air pressure on a 2010 Explorer with an ecoboost....
2112
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2013
Does anyone know if Torque Pro can calculate the boost level on a Ford ecoboost?
unbob
Explorer
Oct 09, 2013
Atlee wrote:
Is there any dongles to stay away from over at Amazon? Any brands better or worse than their brethren?
The BAFX Products - PIC18F2480 Bluetooth OBD2 scan tool seems to be THE ONE to get on Amazon. 4.5 stars and over 1,200 user reviews!

I have not tried this device so cannot further comment - sorry.