Help plus question on OBD 2

[wanda]

I got an OBD 2 Bluetooth reader. When I plug it in the car seems to give readings only when it feels like it. I am struggling to get it to read its findings. I bought a second one thinking maybe it was a faulty unit but still the same. I bough a third one a completely different unit and still the same story. The problem is it only gives a red light as if its not connected, when it works it usually flashes with lots of different colour lights.

What do I do? Place in the unit and start the car. Usually does the trick. I have also tried to hold in the start button until it clicks and lights up the dash board.

The main thing here is that it seems to work on random days like a Tuesday, when its snowing and a rainbow at the same time, so I cant say it doesnt work but seems to just work when it wants to or maybe I am not doing it right.

Any ideas?

[grandadbobby]

Hi Wanda,
hopefully someone who's got one will reply with advice.
I've only got the connected type of diagnostics which is fine.
Meanwhile, take a look on you tube, I'm sure there's lots of 'how to use' on there.
Bob.

[wanda]

fingers crossed

[BrotherPlasterer]

I have two of these one wifi and one bluetooth. Both work but on various cars they are not able to recognise all pids.
However, they do connect, which is your real question.
I also got a wired Autel one because I was convinced the connectionless ones were junk.

I tried a colleagues expensive one which is iPad compatible and that was hit and miss too.

I find its more a Renault issue than a dongle issue.
Easy test, stick it in another car. Ford for preference.

[BrotherPlasterer]

Also, I believe you are on Android so give Torque free a whirl. So many of those apps are rubbish too.

[Keyholder81]

Connect to your device via bluetooth first from your phone and get it to remember the device..

Then connect to it via the app of your choice.

Some people i see having issues are people that try to connect to the device yet it wont show up on your phone or just wont connect.

If its getting power (red light ) then its a connection issue between phone and obd device.

App wise search for " piston" will clear all codes it can find .. or search for " oh no! For renault " .. which has multiple options and dives a bit more into the brains of the ecu systems.. however costs £1 for 14 days.

Hope that helps