Recently, i bought a cheap OBD2 scanner for my car with bluetooth connection.

It's the cheapest one on ebay right now for about 3.50 USD

search ebay for "ELM327 V2.1 OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner"

With this, your smartphone running the Torque app (or another OBD2 app) you can

view various realtime data from the vehicle, view error codes and reset error states.

I wanted to leave the device plugged in to the car, but because de device is always

supplied with 12V, even if the car is parked, the module keeps drawing 33mA current.

This cheap one does not seem to have a sleep state.

(note when transferring data, the amperage rises to 65mA max)

I've seen some solutions on the net to hack the OBD2 connector in the car, to make it

suppy the 12V from the accessories so it's only on when you turn the key.

This can be very tedious to do depending on make and model of your car because the OBD connector is mostly hidden somewhere under the dash.

But why alter the vehicle when hacking this module is so simple!?

You only have to cut pin 16 which goes to the PCB and solder a wire to the PCB.

That wire can be connected to anywhere behind the dash.. simple!

I randomly experienced some losses in the bluetooth connection, so i want to add a simple reset button. When using a "push to break contact" button in the power line, the module resets and in mather of seconds, the connection is restored.

Note; you can also alter the ODB2 adapter and only add a toggle on/off switch to it, without an external 12V supply wire, just make sure you don't forget to switch it off when you park..

(Yes, this can drain your car battery in a few days if the battery is a small one which is

not in a very good condition)

I printed a simple casing for this OBD2 scanner which press fits over the standard casing.

I also drilled a hole above each of the three LEDs and glued in a piece of transparant

1.75mm filament. This way, the LEDS can be seen from any angle. Make sure to cut of the

filament straight with a razor.

Print Settings

Printer:

YAOP printer

Rafts:

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

Notes:

I printed it in ABS,

Make sure the supports are not to dense, you have to pull it out with some small pliers

Category: Automotive