It’s almost comical how these things happen. Just a week after excitedly installing a high-tech Parrot Asteroid Smart in my car, the dreaded engine warning light decided to make an appearance on my SVT’s dashboard. Anyone who knows their car well understands that sinking feeling. My car sounded and felt normal, but that light was a nagging concern. The thought of a potentially expensive dealer diagnostic check, just to tell me what was wrong, pushed me to consider a more proactive approach: investing in an OBD II scanner. These handy devices plug into the OBD II port, standard on all cars made after 1996, and can reveal trouble codes along with a wealth of vehicle data.
But why stick with old tech? The game has changed! Now we have “scanners” that connect wirelessly to your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. Talk about automotive app innovation! The market is full of these Bluetooth OBD2 adapters, and after some research, I landed on the BAFX Products Bluetooth OBD2 Diagnostic Scanner. Priced affordably around $24, this compact device, about the size of two-thirds of a deck of cards, is designed for use with laptops and Android devices. What really caught my attention were its impressive Amazon reviews. Boasting a 4.6 out of 5-star rating from over 742 reviews, with a whopping 77% giving it a perfect 5-star score, the BAFX scanner seemed like a solid choice.
To fully utilize the BAFX OBD2 scanner, you need an app, and Torque is a popular option. It comes in two flavors: a free “Lite” version and a more feature-rich “Pro” version for just $5. Being budget-conscious, I decided to start with the free Torque Lite app.
Installation was a breeze. After downloading Torque Lite on my tablet, I simply followed the clear instructions included with the BAFX adapter. Everything paired up and worked flawlessly on the first attempt.
Connecting to the car’s computer was straightforward, but the Torque app initially presents a blank canvas. It’s up to you to customize the dashboard by adding gauges and readouts from a comprehensive list of parameters. While the interface might not win any design awards, it’s functional and effective. You can monitor real-time data such as fuel economy (displayed in Imperial gallons, unfortunately), coolant temperature, and even performance metrics like acceleration times, leveraging your phone or tablet’s built-in accelerometers.
When it comes to error codes, Torque Lite delivers the essential information. It displays the code number and a brief description of the issue. For deeper diagnostics, you can easily Google the code to understand its implications and potential fixes. In my case, the code was “P1518,” which, on an SVT Focus, points to the IMRC (Intake Manifold Runner Control). A quick search on SVT forums led me to a common DIY fix. I drove my car onto ramps, located the IMRC cable and actuator box, gave them a wiggle and a tap, cleared the code using the Torque app, and just like that – the engine warning light vanished!
Now, I’m in a bit of diagnostic limbo. My car is either completely fixed, or the intake manifold is stuck in its short runner position, masking the underlying issue while the car runs okay. I’m operating under the assumption that if it’s the latter, the engine light will reappear. If not, the car is driving perfectly fine, and I might just leave it as is for now. Perhaps I’ll ask my mechanic to investigate it next time I bring the car in for routine service.
Moving on to the paid version, Torque Pro, the app is noticeably more refined and feature-rich. It boasts a more polished interface and expanded functionalities. At only $5, it’s not a significant expense, but unless you envision yourself constantly monitoring your car’s performance while driving, the free Torque Lite app likely provides sufficient functionality for most users for basic diagnostics and code reading.
One can only hope that app developers consider creating a Torque version compatible with in-car systems like the Parrot Asteroid Smart, bridging the gap between advanced car audio and diagnostics.
The Bottom Line: A Must-Have Tool for Car Owners
The BAFX Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner paired with the Torque app is a fantastic and affordable tool for any car owner. It performs exactly as advertised, has the potential to save you money on diagnostic fees, and offers a user-friendly app experience. For a mere $24 investment, you gain the power to diagnose engine warning lights on your car and even help out friends with theirs. And who knows, maybe charging them a small diagnostic fee of $50 could recoup your initial investment in no time!
