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Thread: Compact WiFi Diagnostics

  1. #1
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    Compact WiFi Diagnostics

    I have been following posts regarding WiFi/App based diagnostics for a while now as I am rapidly getting sick of carting a laptop plus a myriad of cables and interfaces around and just wanted a simple setup for diagnostics on my DCAN E70 (to date I have been using INPA v5/02/DIS v57 with a One Stop K+DCAN interface for this car). After finally deciding to bite the bullet, I purchased one of Parvis Avini's "Best OBD2 Adaptor for BMWhat" wireless interfaces and the full version of BMWhat for iPhone from the iTunes store and I have to say that I am impressed. Setup of the new BMWhat wireless connection was child's play and I was able to access and diagnose over 50 control units on my Diesel E70 in less time than it takes to fire up my diagnostic laptop. The time taken to complete the diagnostic seemed quicker than INPA and the software identified a fault with the glow plug on cylinder 6 - which probably accounts for the less than perfect cold starts and slight increase in fuel consumption of late (this is something that the dealer has not picked up during a service less than 4 weeks ago).
    Apparently BMWhat does not have wide functionality with pre-2007 cars, has no programming capabilities and limited coding capability but this will not affect me as I played around with these functions with my earlier cars and now have the options I need already set in my car. Anyway, if I change my mind later I can always revert to the laptop and DCAN setup.
    A new set of NGK glow plugs are now on the way and I now have a reliable tool for doing diagnostics and some coding, which consists only of the wireless adaptor and my iPhone, so things are looking up. I decided to give the WiFi adaptor a run to see if it would connect to a Suzuki SX4 using an OBD2 App, but no dice, so it appears I will need to get a WiFi adaptor for generic OBD2 use, but even so, both adaptors would take up less space than my Maxidiag SCAN tool.
    Last edited by David Mc; 03-07-2014 at 06:30 AM.

  2. #2
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  3. #3
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    It is quick - very quick, ran over 50 control units for the E70 in less time than INPA used to take to look at 14 modules on my E36 (about 30 seconds in total). Now I am looking at XTools iOBD2 WiFi and their free diagnostic app for a comparison.
    Last edited by David Mc; 03-09-2014 at 12:05 AM.

  4. #4
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    Do you have any idea how this ap compares to something like Torque? How many different aps did you look at? I have DIS 44 and INPA on my diagnostic laptop but I also have an old SnapOn MT2500 scanner that is capable of scanning and clearing DME, Tranny, SRS, ABS codes on OBDI and OBDII cars. I use it all the time. Its so much quicker and easier than breaking out INPA or waiting for DIS to boot up. I can clear any code with that MT2500 in just a minute or two. So Ive been thinking it would be nice to get an OBDII scanner ap for my phone or my iPad. Then I would only need DIS or INPA for the rare ocasion I needed to do some coding or EWS alignment.
    Last edited by flyfishvt; 03-08-2014 at 05:29 PM.

  5. #5
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    I looked at Torque some time ago, but thought that it did not really provide a lot of useful data. The XTools iOBD2 app looks good but I have yet to get one of their WiFi heads to try it out live. They also have 3 variants of their app for OBD2, BMW and VW cars, each of which has a specialised adaptor, which could make this a pricey option. I am going to try my BMWhat Wifi unit with the XTools BMW app today to see if it will work with both apps but it definitely does not work with the XTools app for generic OBD code reading.

    Edit: OK - here is the good part - where I have spent an indecent amount to save you guys some money - it appears that the "Best OBDII Adaptor for BMWhat" is only a re-badged ELM327 Wi-Fi adaptor for OBD2, which can be purchased on Ebay for around $20! By also purchasing the support for ELM327 option for my iOBD2 app for $20.99, I found that I could run iOBD2 on my Suzuki SX4 with the "Best OBDII Adaptor for BMWhat" and access all supported data streams without a problem.

    So, BMWhat full version = around $60, iOBD2 app with ELM327 in-app support = $20.99, Best OBDII Adaptor for BMWhat = $78 + delivery, or ELM327 Wi-Fi OBD2 Adaptor = $25 or iOBD2 Wi-Fi Adaptor = $78.
    To me, this looks like you could have iOBD2 software plus BMWhat full version plus an ELM327 Wi-Fi Adaptor for just over $100 - Bargain!
    Last edited by David Mc; 03-08-2014 at 10:42 PM.

  6. #6
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    I decided to fire up DIS v57 using my laptop and DCAN interface this morning to verify the results returned during the diagnostic I conducted on my E70 using BMWhat. The result of the scan was identical using DIS, but took about 20 minutes with DIS as opposed to 30 seconds using BMWhat. This has pretty much confirmed which system I will use in future, particularly considering from my previous post that the app and an ELM327 Wi-Fi adaptor can be bought for less than I paid for my K+DCAN interface alone.

  7. #7
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    I am also with the ELM327, used on my iphone, is very convenient. But it is too old, I change a new one, iOBD.

  8. #8
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    i bought an elm327 wifi and downloaded iobd2-bmw for free, but it looks like i may need a serial # to activate the program

  9. #9
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    No you don't, you will see a little blue tick box on the top right hand side of the screen which you need to press to purchase in-app support for the ELM327 Wi-Fi. The in-app support is $20.99, then you will be able to access the setup screen and choose the ELM adaptor.

  10. #10
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    thanks for the help, but i don't see the blue tick box
    edit: if you mean the info button i couldn't find a software link, just a hardware link
    edit:edit: found it, didnt realize i needed the original iobd2 app, at first i only had the bmw version
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by rancor; 03-13-2014 at 11:42 AM.

  11. #11
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    Don't worry, it took me a few minutes to find it too - the in-app support was mentioned in the iTunes store, but there was no link or info on how to obtain it.

  12. #12
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    cant wait to get my elm in and try it out, it looks really in depth and the ui is fairly painless

  13. #13
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    Quite a few people have asked me how fast BMWhat (now Carly for BMW) runs when performing diagnostics. The app just continues to improve and the developers expect to have extended coverage of most models back to E36 released by the end of this year. They also have coverage of Mercedes vehicles with their Carly for Mercedes app and will be expanding to cover BMW motorcycles and VW/Audi vehicles very soon. I have purchased the full versions of their current BMW and Mercedes apps, including In-app functions which I have used with my 2008 E70 X5 and our 2011 Mini Cooper S and having been used to messing with laptops, a myriad of cables and interfaces and settings, I absolutely love it. You can view it in action here https://youtu.be/-KjUiUOTxS8 .

  14. #14
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    Thanks for sharing this info, I'm ordering mine today!

  15. #15
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    I'm currently testing Carly in my E36s as well, and so far it reads ECU easily, but I haven't gotten to do much else besides read codes. I don't think it has any MS41 parameter reading yet.

    I haven't yet entered into other modules because it was taking long to go through all the available modules.

    I will be testing it more.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
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  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by 328 Power 04 View Post
    I'm currently testing Carly in my E36s as well, and so far it reads ECU easily, but I haven't gotten to do much else besides read codes. I don't think it has any MS41 parameter reading yet.

    I haven't yet entered into other modules because it was taking long to go through all the available modules.

    I will be testing it more.
    Coverage is limited for my E39 right now too, but they assured me that will change in a few weeks. They seem to be moving along pretty quickly.

  17. #17
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    I get updates about every 2 -3 weeks - they have indicated that their coverage will extend back to E36's before the end of this year.

  18. #18
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    The status of the update for E39 shows they are waiting on Apple, so it should be soon hopefully.

  19. #19
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    The Android versions normally get released a bit quicker as they don't have to be subjected to Apple's vetting process, which normally takes a couple of weeks.

  20. #20
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    I just received notification from Carly that the release of expanded model coverage of the full version of their app is imminent. Models will include E36, E46, E38, E39, E53, E83, E85 and E86 as well as some diagnostics for F Series cars. I'll keep you posted as soon as I get the update, which they say will work on iOS with their Gen 2 Wifi adapter.

    Enter voucher code ZAG6FX into your shopping cart at www.ivini-tech.de/en to save € 5 off the purchase price of a Genuine Carly for BMW adapter. You can even save when purchasing a Carly for BMW adapter from Amazon USA or UK by contacting support at http://www.mycarly.com with voucher code ZAG6FX before purchasing.

  21. #21
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    Sweet! I check the status on their site daily:-)

  22. #22
    Join Date
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    I just received the latest iOS update from Carly for BMW - Release notes are as follows:-

    "Guys, this is a big release:
    It's finally done . Your E46,
    E39, E38, E36, E83 or E89
    can now be diagnosed,
    coded and monitored with
    the Generation 2 adapter.
    Parameter monitoring may
    not work for all engines yet,
    we will improve this.
    Also, we have included free
    manuals into the app. You
    will find a great manual
    about car battery change
    and DPF tips, which are
    only available for our Full
    Version users. So enjoy
    reading!
    Even more, you will find a
    page about our Generation
    2 adapter, a way to send
    support requests directly
    through the app and a
    much faster F-model
    diagnostic session.
    For more information
    please visit
    Carly - Connected Car App Solutions!"

  23. #23
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    I just installed mine, but can't play with it 'til after work. I'm excite!

    Update: I tried it out last night and I'm really impressed. As mentioned in the release notes, not all of the features are working initially, but it's already worth what I paid.
    Last edited by Wrekless; 10-30-2015 at 02:40 PM.

  24. #24
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    What cable combinations are you guys using? I'm looking to get one of the setups that will work with the 20 pin adapter and Android.
    - 2000 540iT Dinan S2 -2000 Z3 -

  25. #25
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    Even though I have quite a few diagnostic apps, I am using Carly for BMW almost exclusively on my BMW and Mini. I have an original BMWhat adapter as well as an ELM327 v1.5 which both worked with DCAN cars, but Carly have recently expanded their model coverage to include E38, E39, E46, E53 etc. and since the extended coverage relies on using a Generation 2 Wifi adapter the iOS version of their app, I have also purchased a Generation 2 adapter. The Android version of Carly seems to be way more flexible than the iOS version in that it can use a bluetooth adapter which seems to give better model coverage than a single WiFi adapter used with the iOS version of Carly.
    You can read about the respective types of adapter here http://www.ivini-tech.de/en and can save yourself €5 off the purchase price from Carly by entering voucher code ZAG6FX if you purchase the adapter from Carly direct. You can also save money when purchasing an adapter from AMAZON (UK or USA) by emailing voucher code ZAG6FX to Carly before purchasing (they will generate a discount code for you that works on the Amazon sites).

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