What did you do to your VW today?

Just don't touch the metal bits with wet hands!

Well done Abs - could you do a write-up about how you achieved this in the Kombi Kreative section for us?

No problem, Tim. If I'm writing it, it really will be an idiot's guide.

Took Absinthe out for the first time this year - was hoping for more sunshine but, hey, you can't have everything.

Stopped in Ramsbottom to visit the Farmers Market then sat outside a cafe with Alison and Boris, enjoying an americano (me that is, not Bozzer), then onward to Townley Hall in Burnley before walking to the Singing Ringing Tree - nice to be out again.

Great pics abs :-)

Can you tell what it is yet?

Clearly a good choice Sunny - side repeaters too?  

Scooby wrote:

Clearly a good choice Sunny - side repeaters too?  

Yep, those too.

Very flash(er)  

Transported the alloy from my Mum's Golf with its pothole burst tyre to Merityre for replacement and analysis of the wheel. Might be looking at Surrey CC coughing up for both tyre and alloy.

TimV wrote:

Transported the alloy from my Mum's Golf with its pothole burst tyre to Merityre for replacement and analysis of the wheel. Might be looking at Surrey CC coughing up for both tyre and alloy.

...only if you can prove that they already knew about the hole and had not done anything about it... Freedom of information act....

Councils are paying less and less for pothole claims. I think I read recently that the average claim for damages has reduced from £2k a coupe of years ago to £200 last year. And as Tallulah says, you've got to prove that they already knew about the pothole.

Despite my dislike of all things google, I went out and bought a cheap Android phone and loaded on some software, letting me display all manner of wonderful dials and gauges.



I've not played with it too much but there seems to be loads of configurations. Sadly the ECU doesn't seem to give voltage info, so I can't check the alternator. MPG is instantaneous but I can also get trip if wanted. There are several screens on which I can put any dial, gauge or graph I want. I initially had engine load but decided the screen was too cluttered, and although I could put it elsewhere, I can't be bothered to swipe across while driving.

Not bad for 50 quid all in.

Sunny wrote:

Not bad for 50 quid all in.

That looks interesting Sunny, I like it.

When you say 50 quid all in does that include the software, and if so could you do a run through from start to finish, and what hardware is needed (I'm a complete numpty when it comes to computer stuff as you've probably realised already).   

If I can get hold of the kit, I'm sure my lad would show me how to load it up.

dizzylizard wrote:

Sunny wrote:

Not bad for 50 quid all in.

That looks interesting Sunny, I like it.

When you say 50 quid all in does that include the software, and if so could you do a run through from start to finish, and what hardware is needed (I'm a complete numpty when it comes to computer stuff as you've probably realised already).   

If I can get hold of the kit, I'm sure my lad would show me how to load it up.

I fear I may have been a little misleading when I said "all in" Dizzy. That 50 quid was what I spent yesterday, already having an OBD2 Bluetooth adaptor from a diagnostic kit purchased last year. That said, you can pick up an adaptor for a tenner online. The software itself was free from the app store.

So, all that's needed:

1. Bluetooth OBD2 adaptor (from under £10 but beware cheap China cack)
2. Android (boo hiss spit) phone (I paid £50 but I've seen them for less)
3. Torque Lite (free though the pro version is £2.95)

I haven't seen what advantages the Pro version offers yet but as I'm unlikely to give Google Play Store my credit card details, it's a moot point. The Lite version does all I need.

Is it something like this that plugs into the ECU, Chris?:


(Bear in mind I use an iPhone)

Ebay Link

I think I have read elsewhere that it won't work with an A pole device.

AbsintheKombi wrote:

Is it something like this that plugs into the ECU, Chris?:


(Bear in mind I use an iPhone)

Ebay Link

Abs, that looks like the Apple equivalent, to be used in conjunction with an app like DashCommand from the app store. (I don't use Apple devices, so can't comment on it, sorry). However, I do see that this uses WiFi rather than Bluetooth, so does get around the i-device issue with non standard Bluetooth devices. It is also mentioned in the app write up on iTunes, so guess if you have an I-device, it's the way to go.

Comparison: Torque Pro vs Torque Lite

I was looking at buying a small (cheap) OBD2 reader but didn't know there was a wifi interface available - I did know that the Bluetooth interface wouldn't work with an Apple device - so I've bought one of these instead and will play with Apple apps to find the one that works for me.

Good work guys!

Like it.
Would like to know how the app gets the MPG data, can't get my ECU project to get any Mass Airflow readings to calculate the MPG. Would be good to know how accurate it is. Lookinbg forward to some updates

Cheers for that Sunny, would one of these do for the OBD2 sender, or is this one of the cheapo Chinese ones.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Supper-Bluetooth-Compatible-Android-Support/dp/B009NPAORC/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1YECW4LIT5DCL&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1394628997&sr=1-1#productDescription

Or would it be better to go for something like this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Diagnostic-Reader-Scanner-ANDROID/dp/B00D6B6V80/ref=pd_sim_ce_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1T0Q9E7D95JG5Y78K6K1

I did borrow a mates EOBD reader that was supposed to be OBD11/EOBD and CAN compliant last year, but it didn't seem to work on the kombi, so I want to make sure I get the right thing.

The phone and download I should be able to sort myself.

Thanks for your patience in advance.

Tallulah wrote:

Comparison: Torque Pro vs Torque Lite

Thanks for that. I had a feeling the differences were along those lines but as I'm only interested in real time info and not Check Fault Codes, View Map, Test Results or Graphing, I see no point in the upgrade.

kiteman wrote:

Like it.
Would like to know how the app gets the MPG data, can't get my ECU project to get any Mass Airflow readings to calculate the MPG. Would be good to know how accurate it is. Lookinbg forward to some updates

I'm not sure, as you're right, there is no MAF data. I've checked the sensors for available data and it is:

Engine Coolant Temp
Engine Load
Rpm
Fuel trim bank 1 sensors 1 & 2
Air intake temp
Intake manifold pressure
O2 volts bank 1 sensors 1 & 2
Throttle position
Timing advance
Speed

dizzylizard wrote:

Cheers for that Sunny, would one of these do for the OBD2 sender, or is this one of the cheapo Chinese ones.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Supper-Bluetooth-Compatible-Android-Support/dp/B009NPAORC/ref=sr_1_1?m=A1YECW4LIT5DCL&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1394628997&sr=1-1#productDescription

Or would it be better to go for something like this.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wireless-Diagnostic-Reader-Scanner-ANDROID/dp/B00D6B6V80/ref=pd_sim_ce_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1T0Q9E7D95JG5Y78K6K1

I did borrow a mates EOBD reader that was supposed to be OBD11/EOBD and CAN compliant last year, but it didn't seem to work on the kombi, so I want to make sure I get the right thing.

The phone and download I should be able to sort myself.

Thanks for your patience in advance.

Dizzy, I suggest you have a look at this page first http://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Bluetooth_Adapters . You'll then get an idea of what will or won't work. I'm reluctant to recommend any adaptor on the grounds that there are some shonky adaptors around. I personally have the scantool but that hardly falls into the sub-10 quid category. Some cheap ones will work, some won't. Sadly the quality control of some is poor. Also the security. Another factor about the scantool is that it needs to be physically paired via push button, rather than just having an open BT connection. I've read of reports of some cars being hacked because of open OBD2 readers allowing access to ECUs, while people drive alongside. Not something I'd want.

The other thing to be aware of is, does the unit have a sleep mode? If you leave it plugged in, you may find yourself with a flat battery in the morning if it doesn't.