I have a wifi OBD2 dongle for reading engine codes, and for ECS codes it works well with Torque, but either Torque or the adapter isn't picking up any codes when my HHR ABS/Airbag lights come on. Does anybody have a similar adapter/app that they know for sure can read the ABS/Airbag codes for an HHR without breaking the bank? I've tried to research and found a few possibles but there's just so many OBD2 apps, and airbag/abs codes usually require an in-app purchase so I want to know a known proven app before wasting lots of money on apps that won't work. It's possible that the $20 dongle I have might not even be capable of reading them, and I'd have to consider whether it's worth it to buy another possibly more expensive scanner, or just shell out the fee to have a shop read the codes.

 

Those $20.00 dongles work for basic engine codes, most don’t read ABS , transmission or manufacturers specific codes.

 

Most auto parts stores will have a scanner on hand to check the service codes, and will do it for free.

 

I don't think the ELM 327 units are capable of ABS. $20 is pretty expensive for an ELM 327 module. Fancy named ones are exactly the same as the cheaper ones, it is a "generic" circuit with no copyright. Amazon Prime for $10, cheaper on eBay ($4.39 from US). The only difference might be quality control, but free & easy returns. Too late for you but for the future reader.

Most auto parts stores scan for free, many have scanners capable of ABS. It depends on which model the manager pulled from stock.

You might try Car Gauge Pro (+ Enhance) for Android, some people say it does ABS.

The ABS computer does not have any memory, so it can only be read if the ABS light is lit.

I am not sure about the Airbag SDM, except that it is part of the CAN bus.

Harbor Freight periodically has sales on good readers.

 

Thanks for the responses, I tried to get Car Gauge Pro, but unless I'm missing a setting somewhere, it only works with bluetooth adapters not the WIFI one I have. I think I would have been better off with a bluetooth honestly it'd be less hassle to use, with wifii I have to manually change wifi networks back and forth and it complains that there's no internet access.

 

I have an Autel AP200 that I like. It does ABS, key fob programming, etc. BUT, it is a subscription based code reader, for $62. When you buy it, you get one Auto Manufacturer for free (GM for example), but after that you have to pay for each additional Make yearly. For example, I own 4 Chevy's right now, so it works for me to have it locked in to GM for my free manufacturer. But if I decide to buy a ford, for example, I would need to pay something like $15? 20? a year to be able to read codes from that ford, then another $15 or $20 more if I bought a toyota too, etc.

Hope that makes sense.

 

I was wondering about this too. I have the OBDLink LX and use both the app that came with it and Torque Free. Both read P codes nicely but won’t help me with my brake problem, which is C codes.

I didn’t know if it was the app or the dongle that was limiting me. The OBDLink LX is not the cheapest but I got it because it claims (and the Torque app people claim) it’s faster so runs the dashboard features on the apps better, “real time” gauge response, and it that regard I’m very satisfied.

I ended up getting my C codes read at OReily’s. Any one know for sure if I can get an app that will do more, or if I need better hardware? I haven’t tried contacting the Torque App or OBDLink people yet, on the to do list.

 

I believe you need both, better hardware and better apps. The basic apps don't allow you to do much more than read the basic codes, since that is what the cheap adapters can do.

The Autel one I mentioned above uses their own app which is more robust, though it is not near as pretty as Torque. I don't think I have tried the dongle with torque though, there might be some settings that open up with a better reader, I can't say for sure. The autel will do auto bleed, program remotes, etc.