Diagnostic Code Reader

[Newsa]

My $9.95 generic works exactly the same as the MX+ I purchased for AlfaOBD. I thought it was my generic dongle at first, but it turns out I was not waiting long enough after each change. I wasted the $89 for the MX+.
I'm using a Samsung Android tablet.

Did you have trouble getting the MX+ to work?

Does the generic one allow you to change things? Or just read things?

 

[lpennock]

Do you use apple or Android. And if you use android; which dongle do you choose in the alfaOBD app?

Did you FIRST go into Android Bluetooth settings and pair MX+? That step is required before AlfaOBD will see the MX+. You only have to do that once.
After that the MX+ has been paired it will be available for AlfaOBD to use. Then in AlfaOBD choose OBDLink MX+ as your device.

 

[Newsa]

Did you FIRST go into Android Bluetooth settings and pair MX+? That step is required before AlfaOBD will see the MX+. You only have to do that once.
After that the MX+ has been paired it will be available for AlfaOBD to use. Then in AlfaOBD choose OBDLink MX+ as your device.

View attachment 121428

I was successful pairing the device. And I used to use the torque app with a bafx dongle, so I have done it before with a different app and different dongle

.

In the android version I downloaded, there is no MX+ option.

Edit: it did say it was paired. And did say it was connected. But it wouldn't read anything

 

[lpennock]

I see the issue between our two photo. It is the method you are using to choose the interface. There are two methods.
1. clicking the BlueTooth emblem on the My Interface section of the home page. That will bring up the list I showed. This is the option I use.
2. Clicking "Preferences->Interface->Interface" Will bring up a list you show. That list doesn't specifically say MX+ in the name. I don't normally use this option but I think you want to choose OBDLink Bluetooth.

 

[Timd32]

Edit........added the +,

My android works with the MX+.

I can try it in a bit.

 

[Timd32]

AlphaOBD unfortunately I have it and never got a chance to use it, but I can connect and use it.

So mines a 2018 and I have that security cable and the bypass cable deal so my interface is pretty different then a standard plug and play deal.

Hope you figure it out.

I picked the same set up you had the baud rate was set at 115kbd that's a standard setting for the bus.

But yeah no issues.

I also tried the torque lite its not made for
my phone but worked fine even with all that there were some funky warning from the app.

 

[Newsa]

Edit........added the +,

My android works with the MX+.

I can try it in a bit.

Thanks guys. I was able to get it to read data and even temporarily set the idle to high idle.

Guess now I don't need to install that high idle kit I was going to install once the max care expires in Sept.

 

[Timd32]

Hey you did press the Bluetooth button from the AlphaOBD app to.select Bluetooth?

At the top where it says my interfaces?

 

[Timd32]

Thanks guys. I was able to get it to read data and even temporarily set the idle to high idle.

Guess now I don't need to install that high idle kit I was going to install once the max care expires in Sept.

Cool.

 

[sag2]

Did you have trouble getting the MX+ to work?

Does the generic one allow you to change things? Or just read things?

The $9.95 dongle does everything the MX+ does.

 

[Timd32]

The $9.95 dongle does everything the MX+ does.

100% it does.

My issue was the BFX one would be glitchy with my phone, but now looking at the new version of the app, it was most likely tied to the other apps my phone was running.

I have had less issues with the MX+, but it's 10x the cost, and could just be my phone is better now compared to when I got my set up a few years back.

For normal use the BXFX thing was great for me for many years. Still have it and use it.

Another good thing to have to save you from climbing under the dash is an cheap extension cable, these trucks are pretty easy to get too, but the smaller vans and cars can be tough to climb under I find the ext. Cable works great if you plan on doing some work over a few days.

I have had 2 employees use the OBD adapters as parking brakes and break the connector and pins, bad things happen. When they shove the tool thru the dash.

 

[Wiredawg]

100% it does.

I have had 2 employees use the OBD adapters as parking brakes and break the connector and pins, bad things happen. When they shove the tool thru the dash.

View attachment 121451

I actually detached my OBD2 connector in my truck and tie wrapped it under it the dash and Edge CST2 monitor cable routed from A pillar through the dash to it. I'm going to order OBD2 Y cable to see if CST2 AND MX+ will work together.

I had moved the OBD2 connector so I would not hit it with anything plugged in.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TimothyLong]

I know that this thread is a bit old, but I wanted thank everyone who contributed info on the AlfaOBD app and OBDLink MX/MX+ code readers! Last weekend, my wife and I went to visit some friends we hadn't seen in a while. About 3/4 of the way to their house (they live about 75 miles away from us), I heard the dreaded chime from the dash and looked down to see that the CEL was on. There was no message in the EVIC and I couldn't notice any difference in the way that my truck was running so I didn't worry too much about it. We got there and back without incident. Up to this point, I hadn't really needed a code reader for my or my wife's truck. I have one, but it's about 15 years old and wouldn't work with my old 2003 Ram, so I knew there was no way it was going to work on this truck. I remembered reading this thread, so the first thing I did when we got home was to hunt this thread up to get the info on what code reader to order.

I ended up ordering the MX+ that evening. It wasn't available on Amazon so I had to order it direct from ScanTool.net. I have an Android phone, so I could have ordered either the MX or the MX+. If I knew then what I know now, I would have ordered the MX on Amazon and saved $40. It finally arrived yesterday, so I downloaded the free OBDLink app (forgetting about the AlfaOBD app). I plugged the MX+ into my truck and connected up to it with the app. I was able get and clear the code, U059F - Invalid Data From NOx Sensor B (it hasn't come back). After that, I played around with the app a bit, remembering that some of you said that you were able to enable features with it. I couldn't find any of that. On top of all of that, none of OBDLink's extended apps support any FCA vehicles (which is why I paid the extra money for the MX+) and I found out from their forum that they have no planned date as to when they might release extended apps for FCA vehicles. Not only that, but hey made no mention of the AlfaOBD app to help the person that was asking. They just recommended contacting Alfa directly That didn't make me very happy. So, I hunted this thread up again and read through it more thoroughly this time and found that I needed to get the AlfaOBD app, another $50 (you live and you learn). So I did and I'm glad that I did because that app is pretty awesome, just like all of you all said it was.

My advice to anyone considering getting the OBDLink MX or MX+ code readers, if you have an Android phone and do not plan on using it on any other vehicle than your Ram (or other FCA vehicle), save yourself some money and get the MX. Having the MX+ really doesn't get you anything extra. If you have an Apple phone you really don't have a choice, but if you have other vehicles (GM, Ford, Kia, Toyota, etc.) that they do have extended apps for then consider getting the MX+ for that reason. Other than that, the only good that the free OBDLink app gets you is the ability to update the firmware in the MX/MX+. It will read/clear codes, but you get ZERO info on the codes you read. The MX+ that I received did have a firmware update available, from version 5.0.0 to version 5.5.something. I haven't played with the AlfaOBD app enough to know if it will do firmware updates or not (probably not). Again, thanks to all who contributed the great info to this thread!

2013 Ram 2500 Laramie QC LB 4x4, Thuren Fabrication adjustable track bar, sway bar kit, and 2" leveling kit, Bilstein 5100 shocks, Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner AT's LT285/70R17, Westin Chrome Ultimate Bull Bar, Weatherguard Saddle Box, Line-X Bed Liner