Everyone needs an OBD2 dongle in the car

Redd · 10-03-2021, 07:10 PM

Was driving home today when suddenly the CEL came on. Engine started shuddering horribly, car was barely moving forward. Throttle did nothing. DCT would not change gears or go into neutral. I was on a slight uphill slope and barely managed to limp it into a parking spot before the engine shut off completely. First thing that came to my head was please please don't let it be the rod bearings (changed 60k kms ago, oil always warmed up).

Luckily I always have an OBD2 dongle with me in the car. Plugged it in, fired up Torque app, and pulled the fault codes. P0112 IAT sensor error, misfire in all cylinders. Phew! Restarted the car and it idled fine so I decided to risk it and limp the car home.

Made it home safely with one stop and restart along the way. The $20 OBD dongle had already paid for itself. If I didn't have the dongle with me, I would have assumed the worst and had the car towed.

JJH · 10-03-2021, 07:25 PM

So just an intake temp sensor failure?

Which dongle do you have?

Redd · 10-03-2021, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJH

So just an intake temp sensor failure?

Which dongle do you have?

I have a Vgate iCar Pro wifi OBD2 dongle. But most of them work with Torque app, even the cheap generic ELM327 ones (tested). WiFi just connects faster and more reliably than Bluetooth, and iOS needs the WiFi one I believe.

InnerBlueSkies · 10-04-2021, 01:22 AM

Yep, I have a BT from Autotel, about $40 from Walmart, BMW specific, everything I need.

djsilverjohnson · 10-05-2021, 07:48 PM

I agree. We have a Foxwell Tool at home, but I bought a cheap OBD reader and loaded the app on my wife's phone, just in case something pops up while she's alone (it's her car). That way she can read the codes and call me if needed.

10-03-2021, 07:10 PM	#1
Redd Brigadier General 3900 Rep 4,167 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW E92 M3 Dakar Edition Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Malaysia iTrader: (0)	Everyone needs an OBD2 dongle in the car Was driving home today when suddenly the CEL came on. Engine started shuddering horribly, car was barely moving forward. Throttle did nothing. DCT would not change gears or go into neutral. I was on a slight uphill slope and barely managed to limp it into a parking spot before the engine shut off completely. First thing that came to my head was please please don't let it be the rod bearings (changed 60k kms ago, oil always warmed up). Luckily I always have an OBD2 dongle with me in the car. Plugged it in, fired up Torque app, and pulled the fault codes. P0112 IAT sensor error, misfire in all cylinders. Phew! Restarted the car and it idled fine so I decided to risk it and limp the car home. Made it home safely with one stop and restart along the way. The $20 OBD dongle had already paid for itself. If I didn't have the dongle with me, I would have assumed the worst and had the car towed. Attached Images
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10-03-2021, 07:25 PM	#2
JJH Major 546 Rep 1,107 Posts Drives: IB E92 M3 DCT; SG E90 325i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canberra, Australia iTrader: (1)	So just an intake temp sensor failure? Which dongle do you have? __________________
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10-04-2021, 01:22 AM	#4
InnerBlueSkies Captain 1093 Rep 950 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: College Station, Texas iTrader: (1)	Yep, I have a BT from Autotel, about $40 from Walmart, BMW specific, everything I need.
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10-05-2021, 07:48 PM	#5
djsilverjohnson Private First Class 116 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2013 E93 M3 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	I agree. We have a Foxwell Tool at home, but I bought a cheap OBD reader and loaded the app on my wife's phone, just in case something pops up while she's alone (it's her car). That way she can read the codes and call me if needed.
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