OBDII Reader - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CamaroSkooter · 01-12-2011, 01:39 PM

Forgive me if this has been discussed, but here goes:

I recently (Merry Christmas to my car

) had ARH 1-7/8" Long Tube Headers with high-flow cats along with an Injen Cold Air Intake installed on my car. Everything is/was awesome until about a week after I had them installed. There's now (what I assume) is a "service engine soon" icon (looks like a profile shot of an engine) located inside the speedometer gauge. Now, I know the only way to completely get rid of this "error code" is to have the engine tuned so that it no longer reads the O2 sensors after the catalytic converters. However, I do not have any desire to void my warranty until it's expired on its own. So, I've determined that probably the safest course of action to avoid warranty issues is to get an OBDII Reader and just clear the code whenever it pops up.

So, my question then becomes, what brand of OBDII Reader do y'all recommend? I don't need the handheld tuning capabilities, I just need something I can plug in, find the error code, and reset it without having to deal with disconnecting the battery and/or pulling fuses 5 and 20 every time. I would like something that is reliable and will work every time as many times as I need.

Thanks!

P.S. - As a totally random thought, did y'all know that if you're throwing a code like this on an automatic vehicle, it disengages the remote start capability?

Jchaluja · 01-12-2011, 04:08 PM

do you have an iphone or ipad or ipod touch? if so, this is very cool. I have it

http://www.ot-2.com/

CAMAR0 · 01-12-2011, 04:11 PM

Im using an elm327 v1.4 usb obdii cable with my laptop. Got it off ebay

mattmiller85 · 01-12-2011, 04:26 PM

I just recently got this:http://www.gadgettown.com/ELM327-Blu...nner-Tool.html
and this: http://torque-bhp.com/ for my android phone.

A grand total of about $45 and cleared a CEL on my winter beater yesterday...

CAMAR0 · 01-12-2011, 04:41 PM

Bluetooth elm wont work with iphone right?

CamaroSkooter · 01-12-2011, 04:55 PM

I have a Samsung Captivate that runs the Android OS. So, you just plug in the bluetooth adapter into the OBDII port, download the app, sinc to your mobile, and you're set? That sounds pretty friggin sweet

justa25thTA · 01-12-2011, 04:56 PM

You can reset it, but it will probably come back. I bet you will have to get a tune for it to be gone for good.

Duke · 01-12-2011, 04:57 PM

I don't think just clearing the code will work come emission testing time.

CamaroSkooter · 01-12-2011, 05:58 PM

They don't test emissions in Texas

GretchenGotGrowl · 01-12-2011, 06:15 PM

If it is like mine (the LLT) you'll get the CEL every time you drive it. It may get tiring resetting that often. Have you looked at what other's have done, like spacers to remove the sensor further out of the stream, to see if they have had any luck?

mattmiller85 · 01-12-2011, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

I have a Samsung Captivate that runs the Android OS. So, you just plug in the bluetooth adapter into the OBDII port, download the app, sinc to your mobile, and you're set? That sounds pretty friggin sweet

Yup, you'll just pair you phone with the car in the bluetooth settings (your car will show up as "OBDII" and on mine the pairing code was "0000"), launch the app and go. It does a lot of stuff I haven't had a chance to play with yet.

Duke · 01-13-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

They don't test emissions in Texas

That's kinda correct...they don't actually analyze the exhaust gas. They do hook up to the OBD to check if all your emissions stuff is "ready". With headers, your back O2 sensors will be "not ready", since they don't heat up fast enough in their new location. A tune will set the O2 sensors to "ready". So you are basically screwed at inspection time if you have headers and no tune. Obviously, you didn't do your due diligence prior to installing your headers.

clg_98ta · 01-13-2011, 01:33 PM

I have an Actron that works very well. Just be sure that you get one that has the capability to clear codes.

I believe that this is the one I have, but I bought it maybe 8 years ago so they probably have newer models:

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9135-.../dp/B00009RAX7

Actually, the CP9180 looks like a nice one...

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9180-.../dp/B000KG8KB0

CamaroSkooter · 01-13-2011, 01:34 PM

Depends on where you get it inspected...

01-12-2011, 01:39 PM	#1
CamaroSkooter Retarded One-Legged Owl Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 9,745	OBDII Reader Forgive me if this has been discussed, but here goes: I recently (Merry Christmas to my car ) had ARH 1-7/8" Long Tube Headers with high-flow cats along with an Injen Cold Air Intake installed on my car. Everything is/was awesome until about a week after I had them installed. There's now (what I assume) is a "service engine soon" icon (looks like a profile shot of an engine) located inside the speedometer gauge. Now, I know the only way to completely get rid of this "error code" is to have the engine tuned so that it no longer reads the O2 sensors after the catalytic converters. However, I do not have any desire to void my warranty until it's expired on its own. So, I've determined that probably the safest course of action to avoid warranty issues is to get an OBDII Reader and just clear the code whenever it pops up. So, my question then becomes, what brand of OBDII Reader do y'all recommend? I don't need the handheld tuning capabilities, I just need something I can plug in, find the error code, and reset it without having to deal with disconnecting the battery and/or pulling fuses 5 and 20 every time. I would like something that is reliable and will work every time as many times as I need. Thanks! P.S. - As a totally random thought, did y'all know that if you're throwing a code like this on an automatic vehicle, it disengages the remote start capability? __________________ My VIN = 2G1FK1EJ9A9105017 Build Date: 04-23-2009 according to: http://www.compnine.com/vid.php

01-12-2011, 04:55 PM	#6
CamaroSkooter Retarded One-Legged Owl Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 9,745	I have a Samsung Captivate that runs the Android OS. So, you just plug in the bluetooth adapter into the OBDII port, download the app, sinc to your mobile, and you're set? That sounds pretty friggin sweet __________________ My VIN = 2G1FK1EJ9A9105017 Build Date: 04-23-2009 according to: http://www.compnine.com/vid.php

01-12-2011, 04:56 PM	#7
justa25thTA Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,630	You can reset it, but it will probably come back. I bet you will have to get a tune for it to be gone for good. __________________ Yeah, I'll get around to it...

01-12-2011, 05:58 PM	#9
CamaroSkooter Retarded One-Legged Owl Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 9,745	They don't test emissions in Texas __________________ My VIN = 2G1FK1EJ9A9105017 Build Date: 04-23-2009 according to: http://www.compnine.com/vid.php

01-12-2011, 06:15 PM	#10
GretchenGotGrowl Drives: 11 F150 EB/13 Sonic RS/15 Z06 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 7,127 View My Garage	If it is like mine (the LLT) you'll get the CEL every time you drive it. It may get tiring resetting that often. Have you looked at what other's have done, like spacers to remove the sensor further out of the stream, to see if they have had any luck? __________________ New Ride -- 2015 Z06 2LZ (stock) -- Journal Old Ride -- 2012 Camaro 2LT/RS (647 RWHP & 726 RWTQ) -- Build Thread

01-12-2011, 04:08 PM	#2
Jchaluja Drives: ZL1 Camaro Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,321	do you have an iphone or ipad or ipod touch? if so, this is very cool. I have it http://www.ot-2.com/

01-12-2011, 04:11 PM	#3
CAMAR0 Loose is Fast! Drives: Mikes Hard Lemons Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Brick House Posts: 645	Im using an elm327 v1.4 usb obdii cable with my laptop. Got it off ebay

01-12-2011, 04:26 PM	#4
mattmiller85 Drives: 2010 Camaro LS 6-speed ABM Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 67	I just recently got this:http://www.gadgettown.com/ELM327-Blu...nner-Tool.html and this: http://torque-bhp.com/ for my android phone. A grand total of about $45 and cleared a CEL on my winter beater yesterday...

01-12-2011, 04:41 PM	#5
CAMAR0 Loose is Fast! Drives: Mikes Hard Lemons Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Brick House Posts: 645	Bluetooth elm wont work with iphone right?

01-12-2011, 04:57 PM	#8
Duke Drives: 2010 Red SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lake Jackson, TX Posts: 476	I don't think just clearing the code will work come emission testing time.

01-13-2011, 01:33 PM	#13
clg_98ta Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,698 View My Garage	I have an Actron that works very well. Just be sure that you get one that has the capability to clear codes. I believe that this is the one I have, but I bought it maybe 8 years ago so they probably have newer models: http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9135-.../dp/B00009RAX7 Actually, the CP9180 looks like a nice one... http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9180-.../dp/B000KG8KB0 __________________ Black 2SS ordered 1/4/2010, received 2/19/2010

01-13-2011, 01:34 PM	#14
CamaroSkooter Retarded One-Legged Owl Drives: 2010 Black Camaro 2SS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 9,745	Depends on where you get it inspected... __________________ My VIN = 2G1FK1EJ9A9105017 Build Date: 04-23-2009 according to: http://www.compnine.com/vid.php

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