Having trouble connecting your Kiwi 3 OBD2 adapter to your Android device? This guide provides step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot common issues and get you back on track. Whether you’re using apps like Torque, Harry’s LapTimer, or DashCommand, we’ll walk you through the essential checks and settings to ensure a stable connection. This manual focuses on Android devices and aims to resolve connectivity problems efficiently.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Before diving into app-specific configurations, let’s cover some fundamental checks to ensure your Kiwi 3 is functioning correctly and communicating with your Android phone.
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Basic Light Test
a. Begin by plugging your Kiwi 3 adapter into your vehicle’s OBD-II port.
b. Start your car’s engine.
c. Observe the indicator lights on your Kiwi 3. Confirm that the green PWR (Power) light is illuminated, indicating the device is receiving power. Also, check if the blue BT (Bluetooth) light is flashing, which means it’s ready to pair. -
Pair Your Android Phone with Kiwi 3 via Bluetooth
a. On your Android device, navigate to the Bluetooth settings menu. This is usually found under ‘Settings’ and then ‘Connections’ or ‘Bluetooth’.
b. Initiate a Bluetooth scan by selecting ‘Scan’ or ‘Search for devices’. Your Kiwi 3 device should appear in the list of available devices.
c. Select ‘Kiwi’ from the list to initiate the pairing process. In most cases, you won’t need to enter a PIN. -
Test with Torque App
a. Download and install the Torque (Lite) app from the Google Play Store. Torque is a popular OBD2 app for Android, perfect for testing your connection.
b. Open the Torque (Lite) application on your Android device.
c. Access the settings menu within Torque by tapping the Gear icon, typically located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
d. Scroll down through the settings options and select ‘OBD Adapter Settings’.
e. Within OBD Adapter Settings, tap on ‘Connection’. Verify that ‘Bluetooth’ is selected as the connection type.
f. Scroll further down to the ‘Bluetooth Settings’ section and select ‘Choose Bluetooth Device’. From the list, choose your ‘Kiwi’ device.
g. Torque should now attempt to connect to your Kiwi 3 and subsequently to your car’s Engine Control Unit (ECU). Watch for connection confirmations within the app.
Still experiencing connection issues? If you’ve followed these basic steps and Torque is still unable to connect, or if you encounter other problems, further assistance is available. Please contact our customer support team by clicking here or call us directly at 408 745 7591 for personalized support.
Troubleshooting with Additional Apps
While Torque is excellent for basic testing, you might be using your Kiwi 3 with other specialized apps. Here are troubleshooting steps for some popular OBD2 apps:
Torque
If you’re using Torque and encounter issues, especially if you are an Android 6.0 user or newer, these steps can help. Firmware updates have been released to address compatibility issues with Android 6.0+ and apps like Torque, Harry’s LapTimer, and DashCommand. If you are on Android 6.0 or later, ensure you have updated your Kiwi 3 firmware by following this step-by-step tutorial.
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Ensure Your Device Sees Kiwi 3 via Bluetooth
a. Open your Android device’s Bluetooth settings. (Usually under Settings > Bluetooth).
b. Initiate a device scan by tapping ‘Scan’ or ‘Scan for Devices’.
c. Check that your ‘Kiwi’ device is listed, ideally under paired devices. If not, repeat the pairing steps from the basic troubleshooting section. -
Torque Specific Troubleshooting
a. In the Torque app, tap the gear icon (settings).
b. Go to Settings > OBD2 Adapter Settings > Choose Bluetooth Device.
c. Select your ‘Kiwi’ device from the list.
Torque should now establish a connection. In most cases, Torque will automatically connect to your Kiwi 3 in the future once these settings are configured.
Harry’s LapTimer
Similar to Torque, Harry’s LapTimer users on Android 6.0 and newer may face compatibility issues resolved by a Kiwi 3 firmware update. If you are using Android 6.0+, please refer to the firmware update tutorial.
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Confirm Bluetooth Visibility of Kiwi 3
a. Access your Android Bluetooth settings (Settings > Bluetooth).
b. Scan for devices using ‘Scan’ or ‘Scan for Devices’.
c. Verify that ‘Kiwi’ is listed among paired devices. -
Harry’s LapTimer Troubleshooting
a. Open Harry’s LapTimer on your Android device.
b. From the main screen, navigate to ‘Administration’.
c. Select ‘Settings’.
d. Scroll down to the bottom of the settings list and choose ‘Expert Settings’.
e. Enable the option ‘Use Bluetooth LE Sensors’ by checking the box next to it.
Harry’s LapTimer should connect to your Kiwi 3 within approximately 10 seconds. If connection fails:
f. Return to the LapTimer main screen and go to ‘Administration’ > ‘Sensor List’. Ensure that ‘Kiwi 3’ is listed under engine sensors. If it’s not visible, tap the ‘Add Bluetooth’ icon (usually at the top right) and select ‘Kiwi 3’.OBD Auto Doctor
For users of OBD Auto Doctor, follow these steps to ensure proper connectivity:
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Verify Kiwi 3 Bluetooth Detection
a. Go to your Android’s Bluetooth settings (Settings > Bluetooth).
b. Initiate a device scan with ‘Scan’ or ‘Scan for Devices’.
c. Confirm ‘Kiwi’ is in the list of paired devices. -
OBD Auto Doctor Connection Steps
a. From the OBD Auto Doctor home screen, select ‘Connect’.
b. Ensure ‘Bluetooth’ is selected as the ‘Connection Method’.
c. Under ‘Bluetooth device’, select ‘Search/Change’.
d. Choose ‘Kiwi’ from the discovered devices list.
OBD Auto Doctor should now successfully connect to your Kiwi 3 and your vehicle’s ECU.
OBD Car Doctor
If you prefer OBD Car Doctor, these steps will guide you through the connection process:
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Check Kiwi 3 Bluetooth Presence
a. Open Android Bluetooth settings (Settings > Bluetooth).
b. Use ‘Scan’ or ‘Scan for Devices’ to search for devices.
c. Verify ‘Kiwi’ is listed as a paired device. -
OBD Car Doctor Configuration
a. In the OBD Car Doctor app, tap the menu button (usually at the top right corner).
b. Select ‘Configuration’ > ‘Connection’ > ‘Connection mode’ > ‘Kiwi 3’.
c. Fully close the OBD Car Doctor app and then relaunch it. This restart can help apply the connection settings.
DashCommand
DashCommand users, especially those on Android 6.0 and newer, should also check for the Kiwi 3 firmware update mentioned earlier (firmware update tutorial).
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Confirm Device Bluetooth Recognition of Kiwi 3
a. Access your Android Bluetooth settings (Settings > Bluetooth).
b. Scan for devices using ‘Scan’ or ‘Scan for Devices’.
c. Ensure ‘Kiwi’ is listed among paired devices. -
DashCommand Specific Steps
a. If you are still having issues, turn off your car’s engine.
b. Disconnect the Kiwi 3 adapter from your OBD port.
c. Restart your Android phone.
d. Firmly plug the Kiwi 3 back into your OBD port.
e. Start your engine again.
f. Launch DashCommand and attempt to ‘Connect’ again within the app.
If you continue to face problems with DashCommand or any other app, please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking here or by calling 408 745 7591. We are dedicated to ensuring you have a smooth experience with your Kiwi 3 OBD2 adapter.
