Hello has anyone on here got a ELM327
that actually works on there s type
I so far have purchased 3 yet none can connect with vehicle
Looking for one that can connect with a 2003 s type

If so could you please let me know and place a photo of it
Thanking you
Darrol

 

There are multiple (software) versions of each of the main types (USB, BT or WiFi). Really any of them should work.

If none do, it's likely due to something about the connector(s), wiring or PCM (aka ECM).

It's possible to chat to the elm itself. So long as it's got power (& ground) all you need is suitable software... So, which kind of elm327 have you got - USB, BT or WiFi? And what device would you like to use to chat to it? I'm guessing one of Windows (PC/laptop), Android or an Apple thing. Linux (*) would be a plus.

(*) Android is an altered version of Linux

If you chat to the elm you can easily find the software version it claims to be and can also tell it directly what protocol (ISO, SCP, CAN, ...) to use.

 

Hi I have 3 ELM327
None of them worked on my str or the wifes 03 4.2 N/A
Two of them packed away in a container
All of them are Bluetooth for Android
This is what I have

1st one BT V2.1
2nd one BT 5.0
​​​3rd one BT 3.0
THANKING YOU
DARROL

 

You'll need the car on (ignition II or RUN but I think it won't RUN) - don't flatten the car battery so connect a charger. If not using the STR you can probably just have the car idling.

It's been a while but with a BT Terminal app you should be able to connect to the BT elm327.

A web search will get you what's known as the elm327 commands (generally, they start AT and each ends with an end of line).

The elm327 (PDF) manuals are quite readable - just skip hardware parts and anything that's a bit complex. An elm PDF with DS (data sheet) in its name will be big and detailed.

Once connected you may have a bit of peskyness with line end (i.e. what the app sends to mean end of a command sent to the elm, you want either CR or LF but I forget which; I think CR).

Every AT command needs to have an end of line. That's when the elm decodes the command and decides what too do.

A blank line (without AT) should get you a prompt (a > character) as I recall and the command
ATI
(with an end of line)
should identify what software the elm claims to have. There are lots of tweaked versions and they are frequently not truthful but will probably be adequate.

If commands you type are not echoed you'll have to blindly type
ATE1
(with an end of line)
to turn echoing on.

If lines come out oddly try
ATL1
or ATL0

You might like such as
ATRV
to see what voltage the elm sees.

Try anything you like from the data sheet, you won't easily cause trouble except you may have to reset the elm (worst case unplug & replug it).

 

Thank but this is all I get

 

You're not using a BT terminal app. That's an OBD app.

 

hi jag v8
Thanks for that
I tried different apps no luck
So contacted the seller they informed me it will not work on the s type
so I took the wifes 4.2 s type to the local auto parts store
and we tried 3 different elm327 ,s
Not one would connect to the wifes car
Thanking you
Darrol

 

I have one similar to your first picture and use the Torque Pro app daily in my XK8 (use it to display Coolant temp, short/long term fuel trims and a few other parameters) I've also used it to scan a coworkers S-Type and XF. I will get the readers specifics and post tomorrow

 

An elm327 can connect to my 2004 STR and should to your wife's but may not work with some OBD software (e.g. any that tries CAN as most will).

Also might not work if using a bad "clone" elm327. (They're all clones as they're not from Elm Electronics and I think they never made a BT elm327, but some clones are worse than others.) A typical clone will do any of the OBD protocols (ISO 9141, SCP, CAN, ...) if told which to do.

That's why I wanted you to use a BT terminal app. Using one, you can force the protocol to be ISO 9141 and see if it works. It should for almost any S-Type (not sure about diesels).

If it works via a BT Terminal app with your wife's 4.2 (as it should) you can then try the same commands with your problem STR. If it works, great. If not, we have a specific path & wire to trace.

(If it's too much trouble, that's OK of course.)

 

Mine is actually a Vgate Scan OBD for Android - download Torque or Torque Pro and click on settings then make sure protocol is set to ISO 9141. I've had it almost as long as I've had the car - paid about $15 for it and $5 for Torque Pro - been a good tool for me to pu