Newb here- help with scantool apps.

[8nutz8]

Hey folks,
I receive my obd wifi device tomorrow and am trying to decide which of the myriad of scantool apps to download. I didn't want to pony of the $50 for OBDLink adapter quite yet so i'm gonna see if i can get by with one of the cheaper devices/apps. I'll be primarily using my iphone SE (and possibly a really shitty android tablet i have)  This is the device i purchased https://www.amazon.com/Veepeak-Scanner-Adapter-Diagnostic-Trouble/dp/B00WPW6BAE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470066539&sr=8-1&keywords=obd+wifi
Hopefully it's a decent one. I know OBD Fusion has some special requirements on the type of adapter you use so i'm not sure if that app will be an option for me or not.
I'm looking to scan all the basics to start
KR,AFR,FRP,Spark advance,tranny temp, fuel trims, etc.
Are these PID's pretty much all the apps support?

I'm sure a lot of this is personal preference but what app is the most user friendly and would suit these basic functions the best?
OBDFusion-if its compatible with my device
dashcommand
enginelink
Mode6
etc.,etc.?

Just trying to get a general consensus here before i start downloading $5-10 apps and figuring out they're terrible the hard way.

Thanks for the input!!!

 

[SHOdded]

Don't leave it plugged in after turning off the car.  Only time will tell if it causes false CELs like some adapters do.

1. I like Forscan Lite (on Android and on iOS) simply because it is the same interface and is a powerful tool.  For windows you use the full-featured Forscan.  You can certainly ask the Forscan folks (on their forum) to add parameters if you think they are missing, and they will likely work with you to get them added.
2. If you want graphical capability PLUS the additional custom parameters found elsewhere on this forum, Torque Pro is your goto.

 

[8nutz8]

Don't leave it plugged in after turning off the car.  Only time will tell if it causes false CELs like some adapters do.

1. I like Forscan Lite (on Android and on iOS) simply because it is the same interface and is a powerful tool.  For windows you use the full-featured Forscan.  You can certainly ask the Forscan folks (on their forum) to add parameters if you think they are missing, and they will likely work with you to get them added.
2. If you want graphical capability PLUS the additional custom parameters found elsewhere on this forum, Torque Pro is your goto.

Good advice SHOdded thank you. Not looking for a ton of graphs or custom PID's. . . just the standard stuff to start. so looks like +1 for Forscan. any other suggestions people?

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

If you are looking to run aux gauges, IMHO, Forscan is a no go but it is a good diagnostic tool.

Dashcommand seems to be the fastest with the default tuxedo layout but is missing important things like KR. You can build your own gauges but that adds an extra layer and they lag. Programming the tux layout has a very steep learning curve. Plus there is a requirement that you have to upload anything you create to their server. I'm working on a sideloading solution so I can share them with who I choose, maybe make some $ for my services.

Torque Pro is probably easiest for a newb to navigate, has lots of PIDS, but is fairly inflexible with regards to gauge design. Seems to be the slowest refresh of the 3.

OBDLINK/FUSION have some distinct advantages to Torque Pro...much more flexibility with gauge design, the ability to import dashboards, gauges, and pids very easily, the ability to change gauges on the fly, and I think some of their custom pids (TQ/HP) are more accurate and consistent. Requires scantool.net OBD adapter.

As far as your dongle selection, I would advise against any cheap chinese made device. Folks have had lots of problems with them, they use slower chips, and you're screwing around with the datastream of a very expensive engine. It doesn't make any sense to me to spend 50 grand on a car and then try and save a few bucks on something that interfaces with the brain of your vehicle. Scantool also provides a support forum which you will not get with the other devices, and you get OBDLink for free along with OBDwiz for windows. You get what you pay for.

I have layout threads for Torque and OBDLink, maybe take a peek at those and see what strikes your fancy. Remember, you can use my templates for OBDLink easily but Torque breaks everything when it is imported.

 

[8nutz8]

the adapter I ordered is compatible with obd fusion so that's what I ended up downloading. is knock retard or trans temp not pre-set pid's? can't find them or maybe they're just named funny

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

the adapter I ordered is compatible with obd fusion so that's what I ended up downloading. is knock retard or trans temp not pre-set pid's? can't find them or maybe they're just named funny

It may just say knock or there may be a bundle of Ford pids you need to turn on.

Settings/userdefined pids....then hit the 3 button menu on the top right and select import built in pids....there should be a set for Ford.

If KR isn't in there, I will show you how to build custom pids with the formula.

 

[8nutz8]

thanks fomo! found the trans temp in used defined pid's. no knock sensor though. any guidance for creating one would be greatly appreciated

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

thanks fomo! found the trans temp in used defined pid's. no knock sensor though. any guidance for creating one would be greatly appreciated

I will post you a screenshot when I get back from running errands.

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

Settings/user defined pids/ 3 Dot menu/Add                               

 

[8nutz8]

Thanks FoMoCoSho!!! Got the knock PID programmed in and actually downloaded your dashboard from the other OBDLink thread. Great work! can't tell you how much time you saved me lol!!!
Curious thing though . . . I only saw negative values in the knock gauge, never went above zero. Not that i'm complaining but i would guess these things have a little bit of KR out of the factory-I'm %100 stock. Kind of made me wonder if that gauge was working properly. I was using the one from your pre-set dashboard that i downloaded

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

Thanks FoMoCoSho!!! Got the knock PID programmed in and actually downloaded your dashboard from the other OBDLink thread. Great work! can't tell you how much time you saved me lol!!!
Curious thing though . . . I only saw negative values in the knock gauge, never went above zero. Not that i'm complaining but i would guess these things have a little bit of KR out of the factory-I'm %100 stock. Kind of made me wonder if that gauge was working properly. I was using the one from your pre-set dashboard that i downloaded

There are min and max carrots on the outside edge, I'd take a peek at those as well.

 

[8nutz8]

Thanks FoMoCoSho!!! Got the knock PID programmed in and actually downloaded your dashboard from the other OBDLink thread. Great work! can't tell you how much time you saved me lol!!!
Curious thing though . . . I only saw negative values in the knock gauge, never went above zero. Not that i'm complaining but i would guess these things have a little bit of KR out of the factory-I'm %100 stock. Kind of made me wonder if that gauge was working properly. I was using the one from your pre-set dashboard that i downloaded

There are min and max carrots on the outside edge, I'd take a peek at those as well.

yep. out of the several pulls I did last night I never saw anything above 0 but looks like the max carrot is around +2 from my pull this morning. I guess that's good news if I'm only getting a degree or two over several pulls. what's the norm for a stock EB as far as KR goes?

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

Honestly it seems to vary.

My 2013 seemed to have quite a bit more than the 2015.

 

[8nutz8]

yeah I'll have to get some data when it's hotter out today. I'm sure I'll see a little more KR or less timing. was getting 19-21* right around the shifts. also gonna try some e85 blending on the next fillip and see how that changes things

 

[8nutz8]

I'm beginning to wonder if the KR pid is working on my OBD fusion app. I've been scanning for the past week+ and i literally never see any positive values in the knock gauge. Every once in a while i see the max carrot at 1. I've been doing a bit of Ethanol blending so i figured maybe i was just seeing the benefits from that but last night a ran the tank down to almost E(less than a gallon in the tank) and put in 1.2gals of 85oct. Proceeded to drive and do some WOT pulls and i still have not seen a blip of positive KR. the gauge reflects negative value for added timing so it's getting input. I've verified the formula as  ((signed(A)*256)+B)/512.
Shift points are still 6k+ and boost levels have remained around 9-11psi. Again, the car is 100% stock. Maybe the ECU hasn't had time to recognize the reduced octane and make these adjustments? Can't imagine it wouldn't register knock with that **** gas in it though

I honestly want to see a little KR on a WOT pull just to verify the gauge is working properly as this point LOL

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I wouldn't worry about it...

The last couple of times I returned the stock i barely had KR and that was on tip in, not WOT, which is pretty typical .

IDK how big your tank is but the corn will definitely suppress knock.

Did you put the 1.2 gal of corn in by itself or did you top off with 93?

Look at the bright side, there a few guys on here that would love to have your problem.

 

[8nutz8]

I wouldn't worry about it...

The last couple of times I returned the stock i barely had KR and that was on tip in, not WOT, which is pretty typical .

IDK how big your tank is but the corn will definitely suppress knock.

Did you put the 1.2 gal of corn in by itself or did you top off with 93?

Look at the bright side, there a few guys on here that would love to have your problem.

no I put in regular 85 octane to stimulate some knock just to verify the gauge, not E85. and still no positive values.
11' SHO so 19 gal tank. the last 10 days or so I've been running e15-20ish blends so it didn't surprise me too much not to see KR. now I'm a bit puzzled though. . how could the car not knock on 85oct if the gauges are working?
don't know about this platform but other FI cars usually have KR from the factory, especially on low octane fuel


and yes, if I'm experiencing zero knock on 85 them I'm a damn happy camper!! feels weird hoping to see a degree or two of KR on the gauge- usually that makes some cringe. I just wanna know the gauge is working before I start mods and tuning

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I wouldn't worry about it...

The last couple of times I returned the stock i barely had KR and that was on tip in, not WOT, which is pretty typical .

IDK how big your tank is but the corn will definitely suppress knock.

Did you put the 1.2 gal of corn in by itself or did you top off with 93?

Look at the bright side, there a few guys on here that would love to have your problem.

no I put in regular 85 octane to stimulate some knock just to verify the gauge, not E85. and still no positive values.
11' SHO so 19 gal tank. the last 10 days or so I've been running e15-20ish blends so it didn't surprise me too much not to see KR. now I'm a bit puzzled though. . how could the car not knock on 85oct if the gauges are working?
don't know about this platform but other FI cars usually have KR from the factory, especially on low octane fuel


and yes, if I'm experiencing zero knock on 85 them I'm a damn happy camper!! feels weird hoping to see a degree or two of KR on the gauge- usually that makes some cringe. I just wanna know the gauge is working before I start mods and tuning

Lol, I should've looked at your sig.

I thought you meant E85, not 85 octane...I'd get that crap out of your car ASAP.

Are you running the octane adjust ratio gauge?

If so what does it display?

 

[8nutz8]

I just put in enough 85  for the 15 mile drive home to test the KR gauge with. It's already ran out and I put 5.5 gallons of 87 octane in it today- didn't want to run **** gas anymore than I had to. after putting in the 87 and driving to work today I saw values bouncing around at positive .5-1.5 and the max carrot at 2 degrees. . so the gauge does seem to be working!! now I'll run the 87 out of it and return to 91 and or E blends.
don't currently have the OAR set up. had it for a day or so but didn't know how to interpret the values.

now I need to figure out how to lower the trans temps. 210+ cruising on a 85 degree day

 

[FoMoCoSHO]

I just put in enough 85  for the 15 mile drive home to test the KR gauge with. It's already ran out and I put 5.5 gallons of 87 octane in it today- didn't want to run **** gas anymore than I had to. after putting in the 87 and driving to work today I saw values bouncing around at positive .5-1.5 and the max carrot at 2 degrees. . so the gauge does seem to be working!! now I'll run the 87 out of it and return to 91 and or E blends.
don't currently have the OAR set up. had it for a day or so but didn't know how to interpret the values.

now I need to figure out how to lower the trans temps. 210+ cruising on a 85 degree day

Amsoil fluid for the tranny and/or add PP cooler.