Bluetooth transmitter relays auto diagnostic data

by Marc Perton, posted May 4th 2005 at 6:01AM

It may be overkill if you just need to figure out why your Air Bag light won't go off, but if you actually know how to diagnose and fix problems with your car's electrical system, the OBD Bluetooth Transmitter from Vital Engineering may become a valuable part of your toolkit. Once connected to your car's onboard diagnostics system (specifically the OBD-II system standard on most cars built since 1996), the transmitter will wirelessly send data to any Bluetooth device, including PCs and PDAs. Sure, you may still have to get your hands dirty to fix the problem, but now you can figure out what's wrong without even opening the hood.

[Via Blueserker]

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

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Seth @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

Damn - I hate it when they won't give you the price! (You have to fill out a form, and presumably, they'll email it to you.)

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gorkon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

OBD II Connectors are inside the car. Also, the OBD II information is useles without a bit of knowledge on how to fix it. I would be more interested if this also included the software or at least showed me the software. There IS a open source project out there for reading OBD II Data with a Open Source piece of software that DOESN'T cost a arm and a leg. This is no different then a serial cable....except it has no wires.

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Kel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

Bluetooth ODB hacking. :)

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OBD2user @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

Why?
What's the point of this? You can go to any auto parts store these days and get a OBD reader for about $75. This is plain stupid! first there's the cost of this thing they don't even advertise, and then there's the cost of whatever other BT device needed to read it! What if your BT readout device doesn't even give you the option to reset the "check engine" light?

A light up USB rubber duck makes more sense than this.

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OBD2user @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

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OBD2user @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

Another thing...
Many cars have the OBD port on the underside of the dashboard near the steering column. The port usually points straight down. Where do you think that puts this dongly thing? It appears to be about 3-4 inches long. Would you want that thing hitting your knee while you sit in the drivers seat?

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Coyote @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

Yea them not listing their price for it is pretty bad. If youve ever did any research on any type of hardware or software thats not meant for mainstream consumers youd know they rarely ever post their final price. Why they do this I dont know. But I suspect its so they can hook you and then charge a ungodly amount (also service fees are something they always try to add on).

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Freta @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

In some cars (like Audi), the OBD2 connector is near where the accelerator pedal is. Can you imagine doing a test drive with cable running under your feet all the way up to the passenger sit, where you might have your pc sitting and gathering data? No, thank you. The other advantage Bluetooth can give you is flexibility. I have been told that the device comes with free software for PC, Palm and even smart phones.

I love it!

PS- Yes you can get wired versions cheaper elsewhere, but don�t forget the price you pay for the laptop.

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Yet another matt @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

yes, i agree OBD2user, the design is pretty large. my ODB port is just infront of the gear stick, having that device in there looks like it might make it difficult to move into 3rd gear.

But moving a laptop into the car, and just being connected rather than having to plug all the wires in too is a big advantage.
lets hope its cheap, but i bet it isnt.

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Peter Sheldon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

"This is no different then a serial cable....except it has no wires." - that would be the point of it? A very compact OBD device with Bluetooth means you can use it from a PC, PDA, Palm or even a Smartphone with Bluetooth. No cables to get in the way on your road test too.

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TurboGreg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

OBD Tools are actually quite helpful.
*IF* you know how to use them.

I've used several on my various cars. Most recently I used a RacerData display, which was awesome for troubleshooting a faulty TPS sensor.

As far as renting a OBD scanner... Sure, you can do that.. but not at 2am.

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Paul Squires @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

The price is �199.00 including software and shipping anywhere in the world. That sounds like a very good deal to me. All you have to do is enter an email address on the http://www.vitalengineering.co.uk site and the pricing pops up. I have an XDA (PDA+phone) which will now be able to read my car's speed, throttle position, trouble codes, etc, all via Bluetooth. Great idea!
Paul.

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Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

I believe it does offer 2-way communication (i.e. to clear engine light).

"The OBD Bluetooth Transmitter will read and clear codes and display live data from the EOBD diagnostics system. This covers engine, power train and emissions faults. It will not read or clear codes from other systems such as SRS, ABS or Suspension systems."

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paultakeda @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM

I've been waiting for something like for some time now. I've already got things setup such that I can connect to the OBDII port in my car with an iPaq (using OBDTool.com's connector, a gender changer, a null modem adapter, a serial sync cable, an iPaq with a serial port, running arLab's VAG-Check). Removing the cable is a bonus.

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