For car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike, understanding what’s happening under the hood is invaluable. The ELM327 OBD scanner has emerged as a popular and budget-friendly tool for accessing your vehicle’s onboard diagnostics system. This review delves into the capabilities of the ELM327 scanner, particularly when paired with user-friendly software like TouchScan, to see if it lives up to the hype as an effective solution for DIY car diagnostics.
The ELM327 scanner itself is a small hardware interface that plugs into your car’s OBDII port, typically located under the dashboard. It acts as a bridge between your vehicle’s computer and a device like a laptop or smartphone, allowing you to read diagnostic information. While the hardware is readily available and inexpensive, the real power of the ELM327 is unlocked by the software you choose to use with it.
Many ELM327 scanners come with a software CD, often including basic programs like ScanTool.net for Windows v1.13. As the name suggests, ScanTool.net offers fundamental functionalities. It allows you to perform essential tasks such as scanning for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), clearing these codes to turn off the check engine light, and viewing live sensor data.
However, ScanTool.net is quite basic and might leave users wanting more advanced features. Exploring the software bundled with the ELM327 might not reveal anything particularly impressive. This is where third-party software steps in to elevate the ELM327 experience.
For users seeking more comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, software like TouchScan (ScanTool.net LLC – TouchScan OBD Software – ScanTool.net) offers a significant upgrade. TouchScan, from ScanTool.net LLC, the same developers as the basic ScanTool.net, provides a much richer feature set. A fully functional demo version is available for download, allowing you to test its capabilities for a limited period, which is ideal for evaluation.
TouchScan goes beyond basic code reading and clearing. It displays a wide array of sensor data in real-time, captures freeze frame data (snapshots of sensor values when a trouble code is set), and provides detailed vehicle information. Furthermore, TouchScan includes a customizable dashboard feature, enabling you to create personalized gauges displaying the parameters most relevant to you. One of the standout features is its recording capability, allowing you to record and playback entire driving sessions for in-depth analysis.
Setting up TouchScan with the ELM327 scanner is designed to be straightforward. Upon launching TouchScan, you’ll be greeted with a setup screen. The “AutoDetect” function simplifies the connection process significantly. By clicking “AutoDetect,” the software automatically scans COM ports to locate the ELM327 interface. It then cycles through different baud rates and communication protocols to establish a connection with your vehicle’s ECU (Engine Control Unit).
Once AutoDetect completes, it displays the connection details. In this example, the scanner was found on COM5, connecting at 115200 baud using the ISO 15765-4 CAN 11 bit protocol – the communication language used by this particular RAV4. After detection, clicking “Connect” establishes the link, indicated by the “Interface” and “ECU” indicators turning green.
With the connection established, the dashboard view in TouchScan becomes live, displaying real-time data from your vehicle’s sensors. You can observe gauges reacting immediately as you operate the vehicle, such as pressing the accelerator.
The customizable nature of the TouchScan dashboard is a key advantage. You can tailor the displayed gauges to monitor specific parameters based on your diagnostic needs or interests.
To evaluate the diagnostic trouble code reading functionality, a practical test can be performed. Unplugging the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, a common engine sensor, simulates a fault condition. Starting the engine with the MAF sensor disconnected typically results in engine issues and triggers the check engine light, along with other warning lights like TRAC and VSC in some vehicles.
After reconnecting the MAF sensor, the warning lights usually remain illuminated as the trouble codes are stored in the ECU’s memory. Using TouchScan’s diagnostics function reveals the stored DTCs. In this case, P0102 (Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Low Input) and P0113 (Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input) codes are accurately identified, reflecting the disconnected MAF sensor.
TouchScan also provides access to Freeze Frame Data. This feature captures a snapshot of sensor readings at the precise moment a trouble code is recorded. This data is invaluable for diagnosing intermittent issues or understanding the conditions under which a fault occurred. The freeze frame data in this example shows the engine temperature and the time elapsed since starting when the code was set.
Once the issue is resolved, TouchScan allows you to clear the trouble codes, effectively turning off the check engine light and other related warning lights. Beyond basic diagnostics, the recording function in TouchScan stands out as a powerful analytical tool. Initiating a recording before a test drive allows you to capture a comprehensive log of sensor data throughout your drive.
After driving and stopping the recording, you can disconnect the ELM327 scanner and review the recorded data on your laptop. Playing back the recording in TouchScan recreates the driving session, displaying gauge movements and sensor values as if you were driving in real-time.
This playback capability is akin to having a “black box” for your car, enabling detailed post-drive analysis. You can switch between different screens and observe sensor behavior at any point during the recorded drive.
TouchScan offers various information screens displaying a wealth of vehicle data and diagnostic information.
When using TouchScan and ELM327, it’s important to properly disconnect from the software before closing it. Using the “Disconnect” option in the Setup menu ensures that the COM port is released, preventing connection issues in subsequent sessions.
In conclusion, the ELM327 OBD scanner, particularly when combined with software like TouchScan, offers a compelling and affordable solution for car diagnostics. While basic software provides limited functionality, TouchScan unlocks the full potential of the ELM327, offering features like real-time data monitoring, customizable dashboards, comprehensive diagnostic code reading and clearing, freeze frame data, and powerful recording capabilities. For a reasonable price of $24.95 for the full version of TouchScan with lifetime upgrades, this combination is highly recommended for anyone seeking an inexpensive yet capable tool for understanding and troubleshooting their vehicle’s systems. If you’re looking for an accessible way to read diagnostic codes and aid in troubleshooting automotive issues, the ELM327 and TouchScan setup is a worthwhile investment.
