How To Check Engine Codes Wireless

Do you have a fault code with a check engine light on in your vehicle and have no idea what it means?  Until now, you would have to take your vehicle into a service facility which charges $50-$70 an hour.  Is there anything your iPhone apps can’t do?  “There is an app for that !”  Yes! an app that wirelessly checks Engine Diagnostic Codes on your vehicle.  No more guessing, the iphone app device we are featuring below is the easiest and best wireless diagnosistic tool for how to check engine codes.

It pretty much does everything as advertised.  Wifi chips are included and the pin-out and electronics for ODB2 codes are pretty simple.  There are some free apps out there that will work with this app device.  We tested this with an iPhone 4 (iOS 4.1) and had the opportunity to plug it into a few different cars – a 2000 honda accord ex, a 1999 nissan pathfinder, a 2007 s2000 and a 2000 lexus rx300. We primarily used the FuzzyCar app

obd2-codes

OBD2 Codes

since it was free and provides basic functionality. We were able to read all the sensors offered by each vehicle, and can confirm clearing codes work in the accord, the pathfinder, and the rx300. The s2000 didn’t have any codes for us to try clearing. (Note- depending on your vehicle and the particular code, if the underlying problem isn’t fixed the engine light can come on again pretty quickly – sometimes even within a few minutes. This isn’t the fault of the device- We are just putting this out there in case someone might think it’ll “magically” fix your check engine light problems. It won’t.) One other thing- not all vehicles have the same sensors so depending on how many your vehicle has you might see different ones.

There is a little bit of lag between diagnostic trouble codes but acceptable. Not sure if this was because the car’s computer was slow, the plx was slow, or it was something with the FuzzyCar app.

All in all we were happy with the purchase and can definitely see this as something that while we hopefully won’t use all that often, will be handy to have around for those unforseen circumstances.

Product Features

  • KIWI Wifi turns your iPhone in to a powerful automotive tool
  • Will check for engine diagnostic codes, when your “check engine” light become illuminated you can view and reset the code
  • Easy installation, simply plugs into OBD2 Codes port and will mount virtually anywhere in your vehicle
  • Allows you to view sensor data such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, coolant temperature and throttle position
  • MPG gauges, basic engine sensors, check engine scan tool, trip computer
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Wemo Review

WEMO iPHONE APP DEVICE REVIEW

This is a pretty simple, pretty useful Wemo app device with a lot to like about it and very little to complain about.

Short story–We think it’s well worth it.

Wemo Review

Wemo Review

Pros
1) Simplicity of set-up. It took about a minute to set up. Plug it in, plug your device in, download the free app from the App store, connect w/ my IOS device to the Belkin wireless via settings, then open the App. Done. Really. That simple. It’s really, almost literally idiot-proof. We idiots have to love that.

2) Turning on and off is a simple button and works fine

3) You can control multiple switches at once (I only have one so haven’t tested this)

4) You can set up “rules”–for instance, a specific time to turn your device on or off. The rules allow for lots of schedules

5) Can be used from remote locations via cell or wi-fi

6) You can grow the “family” by adding more switches and motion sensors (again, just have the one so haven’t tested)

7) Perhaps the biggest pro was when we first used it I was able to confuse my wife when she came home and couldn’t figure out why the light kept going on when she turned it off and turned her back on it (I was upstairs). Oh, the hilarity . . .

Cons
Really only have one so far–the device is so big it will most likely (almost definitely) take up your entire outlet. Not a major issue if you want to use a power strip, but something to consider.

Wemo iPhone

Wemo iPhone

It’s not Über sophisticated and sure, you could set up something better for motion sensors, timers, home automation, etc. But what the app device is cheap and simple. We’ll use it very simply to turn lights on and off while on vacation so things are happening randomly rather than on a timer.  We will give it more time to see how it pans out, but we assume at this point we’ll add at least one more switch and one sensor.

 [wppc id=”22″]

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

wemo

 

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