Nightmare on ELM327 Street - Monitoring with an iPhone 6

[Co4Fun]

So I did my homework and read all I could on this forum about this.

Looking at wanting to get some additional info / gauges especially tranny temp.

At this point in time in 2017 (knowing how tech progresses), utilizing an iPhone 6 that I have determined I do NOT want to jailbreak...what are my options?

From what I see, I still can't utilize a BT OBD reader but would have to buy a wifi one such as this: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Dia...3&sr=8-2&keywords=iegeek+wifi+wireless+obd-ii

Then I'd run an apple-specific app (looks like there are a few) over wifi to view the gauges.

So my questions are as follows:

1) Is this correct, on a non-jailbreak iPhone 6 is wifi still the only option?

2) Since it's wifi, does this mean that while I'm using / viewing the gauges I won't be able to use anything else that would use my network connections...such as maps, internet etc.? (Assuming music etc. would still stream but anything that would need to utilize a connection would interrupt the wifi signal from the OBD connector?)

3) What is the best apple app for this? What are others using and happy with?

4) Is it true that the OBD connector will have to be unplugged after stopping as it continues to draw power from the battery even with the key off?

5) If all this is true and I can't go to an android platform etc. is it just easier to buy a plug in Scangauge II and call it good?

Thanks all! Have a love/hate relationship with tech and apple but started so early on with iPhones they have us now.

 

[Airmapper]

1) Is this correct, on a non-jailbreak iPhone 6 is wifi still the only option?

2) Since it's wifi, does this mean that while I'm using / viewing the gauges I won't be able to use anything else that would use my network connections...such as maps, internet etc.? (Assuming music etc. would still stream but anything that would need to utilize a connection would interrupt the wifi signal from the OBD connector?)

3) What is the best apple app for this? What are others using and happy with?

4) Is it true that the OBD connector will have to be unplugged after stopping as it continues to draw power from the battery even with the key off?

5) If all this is true and I can't go to an android platform etc. is it just easier to buy a plug in Scangauge II and call it good?

Thanks all! Have a love/hate relationship with tech and apple but started so early on with iPhones they have us now.

This is based off using one with my main vehicle, I haven't tried this with my 4runner yet but plan to. I have an Android phone but an Apple tablet, and I looked into using the tablet for vehicle monitoring. Ultimately I use my phone because it has Android. Your questions don't seem to be vehicle specific so here goes...

1) I'm not positive but last I checked that was my understanding. The way I understand it is Apple does not allow serial type communications via Bluetooth, whereas Android does.

2) I think it will tie up the WiFi connection so you can't use other things. I seem to recall noticing with my iPad where if I connect to my camera over WiFi, I loose house internet until I disconnect it.

However if you have a cellular data connection that should still supply data to the rest of your apps. Cell and WiFi are different I think. If your driving around I don't see how you would hold a fixed WiFi connection anyway.

3) Sorry I haven't a clue.

4) Depends. The one I have supposedly goes to "sleep" if not connected and doesn't drain the battery. Maybe still some drain but it's minuscule. A cheap ebay/amazon adapter probably won't have that feature and might run your battery down. I gave like $30-$40 for mine.

5) I wouldn't know.

 

[huvgti]

I use mine just like this. The ELM and iPhone 6. The ELM does create it's own wifi network and you join it with your phone. You can still get data over cellular while in the car. The ELM draws power even when the ignition is off so you'll need to unplug it when you turn the car off.

It monitors a ton of stuff but not Trans Temp. As I understand, that's because the car doesn't have a sensor for it.

It absolutely eats the battery up though so you'll want to plug your phone in.

There are plenty of apps that do this type of thing on the app store. I use Dash Command. Works well enough, no need to jailbreak.

 

[TheOGConCon]

It monitors a ton of stuff but not Trans Temp. As I understand, that's because the car doesn't have a sensor for it.

Logged in just to respond to this to clarify - if you have a '96-'98, there is no transmission temperature sensor. If you have a '99-'02, there is a transmission temperature sensor, but you will have to add a custom PID in order for whatever app that you're using to read it.

OP, I've got a buddy that's using a different OBDII reader similar to the scangauge, but with a bigger screen. I'll ask him what it is so that I can share that and you can look into it if you're interested.

 

[Co4Fun]

I use mine just like this. The ELM and iPhone 6. The ELM does create it's own wifi network and you join it with your phone. You can still get data over cellular while in the car. The ELM draws power even when the ignition is off so you'll need to unplug it when you turn the car off.

It monitors a ton of stuff but not Trans Temp. As I understand, that's because the car doesn't have a sensor for it.

It absolutely eats the battery up though so you'll want to plug your phone in.

There are plenty of apps that do this type of thing on the app store. I use Dash Command. Works well enough, no need to jailbreak.

Awesome info and thank you! Just what I was after. Yes, the wifi signal is created by the device, yes can get cellular data concurrently and yes have to unplug. Okay.

And on mine...I have a 99 so I think I have the sensor.

 

[Co4Fun]

Logged in just to respond to this to clarify - if you have a '96-'98, there is no transmission temperature sensor. If you have a '99-'02, there is a transmission temperature sensor, but you will have to add a custom PID in order for whatever app that you're using to read it.

OP, I've got a buddy that's using a different OBDII reader similar to the scangauge, but with a bigger screen. I'll ask him what it is so that I can share that and you can look into it if you're interested.

That would be awesome. And, the custom PID will work and can be created with any app...meaning that PID for transmission temp is universal with OBD devices? I would think so as it's the common language all these are using but just want to make sure.

I know you are right as I've seen this in other posts (that you have to program the PID for tranny temp). But I'm also sort of surprised it wouldn't be one of the defaults though as it's one of the main things people are after...just wonder why...?

 

[huvgti]

FWIW, I've tried to create a custom PID for mine, it's a 2000. I haven't been able to with Dash Command. I'm also not an expert so I'm not sure if it's not possible or just not possible for me yet.

It is useful for monitoring coolant temp and MPG's. After I replaced my radiator, I drove around with it to make sure my temps were good.

Shows vacuum too which can be handy.

 

[AZBub]

I use dash command and the generic Tuxedo dash. I've used the vacuum to validate a p0446 recently.

Anyways since it would be silly to make a new thread: If you are using dash command is there a way for it to read fuel level/miles to empty. All I seem to get is instant/average mpg.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[TheOGConCon]

That would be awesome. And, the custom PID will work and can be created with any app...meaning that PID for transmission temp is universal with OBD devices? I would think so as it's the common language all these are using but just want to make sure.

I know you are right as I've seen this in other posts (that you have to program the PID for tranny temp). But I'm also sort of surprised it wouldn't be one of the defaults though as it's one of the main things people are after...just wonder why...?

I would think that the PIDs would be universal, but how they work exactly is a little beyond me. As far as it not being a default PID for transmission temps.. again, not sure why, although Torque Pro does come with a PID for transmission temps, it just doesn't read ours.

As far as other gauges like the Scangauge II, the one my buddy uses is called an Ultragauge.

 

[TheOGConCon]

I use dash command and the generic Tuxedo dash. I've used the vacuum to validate a p0446 recently.

Anyways since it would be silly to make a new thread: If you are using dash command is there a way for it to read fuel level/miles to empty. All I seem to get is instant/average mpg.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I believe with our rigs, we don't have a digital or electronic fuel gauge, and the level of our fuel is never really relayed to the computer system, therefore our OBDII readers don't pick up the fuel level.

 

[TheOGConCon]

FWIW, I've tried to create a custom PID for mine, it's a 2000. I haven't been able to with Dash Command. I'm also not an expert so I'm not sure if it's not possible or just not possible for me yet.

It is useful for monitoring coolant temp and MPG's. After I replaced my radiator, I drove around with it to make sure my temps were good.

Shows vacuum too which can be handy.

The PID for transmission temp in mine (Torque Pro) is as follows:

OBD2 Mode and PID:
01b4

Long Name:
Transmission Fluid Temperature 1

Short Name:
Trans1

Minimum Value:
0.0

Maximum Value:
300.0

Scale Factor:
x1

Unit Type:
(degree symbol)F

Equation:
A*(9/5)-38

OBD Header:
Auto

 

[octanejunkie]

Ultragauge has an app-based version on special for $80 UltraGauge Blue OBDII Scan tool & Information Center