The company that makes the chip offers drivers for linux. You'd have to then look for a program that can associate the data to usable form.

Rant ahead!!!


That was my argument way back in 2010 when this thread started. The parts to this post are OBD II device, a way to get that device to connect to linux, then the real problem is what the codes mean.

A code is generated by a single or complex set of measurements that have been pre-set to call either a hard or soft code. Code is the error. You can pour over the web for the hard codes or maybe soft codes that you get and will find 100 different people saying this or that. You can possibly fix it or try to fix it using their suggestions. Understanding that a code can be caused by many sensors you need to look at the code as a system usually. You need to understand what all goes into the code and how to measure why it appears.

Automakers have been fighting this ever since they found out it is a gold mine for their service department. They are claiming DMCA and such to deny free use. They have some valid points but basically they are holding the customer hostage to technology.

The error codes tell you what component is showing a fault. The codes referred to are not the same as we use with programming, its just a fault number. They are not complex or difficult to understand and are very useful for those with a minimal diagnostic ability. There are also codes for "ok" too. I use error codes to narrow down problems but a good mechanical knowledge helps in the first place.

All computerised engines can create an error code list, even diesel engines. The meaning of each code will be on a list that can be found either on the internet or via workshop manuals from auto parts shops. I have not found it very difficult to get a code list, but all details from a vehicle are required to get the right list. ie year, make, model, engine, transmission, series, and vin number.. This will make life easy..

As for applications that read the codes, well your on your own, I can read live data with ubuntu using autodoctor and an elm327 bluetooth on a friends car but only my landrover using rovergauge and a ttl connection reads everything...

Having a the error code and the list that the code refers to, is one thing, but the repair or understanding what the problem is, can be a different thing altogether. Also, some problems are not associated with a code or a fault with the electrical system. ie low oil pressure due to faulty oil pump will show up but a knock in the bottom end, ie crank or bigend, you can hear, computer has no idea, its not a component thats electrical. Just remember, knowing some mechanical knowledge is more important than relying on an error code, as some codes come up and can be ignored without any consequences...

Sorry Jefro, but I have found no conspiracy with auto manufacturers restricting access to the error codes..

Scantool.. using a usb connection to OBD2 would make life easy and scantool is easier with usb.. It will read the error codes..

Autodoctor.. would be a good one for live readings of the engine and checking the accuracy of things like temp gauge/oil gauge/speedo/tacho...

Both work ok on Ubuntu 16.04.1

Emphasis mine, because those are very important points that you raised there.

Not to get too OT on this, but something those relying on the codes should be aware of.

Be aware, at least as was the case with OBD on my early 90s GMs and some early OBD-II is that the codes represent a fault in a particular circuit. Some circuits may have more than one sensor on them (i.e. an 88 Firebird I once owned had the tendency to throw a Mass Airflow Sensor code when the fault was actually in the ignition as some other component was also on that circuit).

Be aware that a code, is again, for a circuit. A fault code indicated for the oxygen sensor does not necessarily mean that the sensor itself is bad. It can be a corroded ground anywhere in the electrical system (isn't automotive electronics fun?), a short or a broken wire in that oxygen sensor circuit. Find a fault code, test the suspected faulty part before replacing it.

I bought a commercial product from http://www.secons.com/en/index.html. it worked well.
car engine management software is built on an interoperable/ interchangeable layer model which in theory allows any OBD2 software to work on any vehicle. the problem you are reporting lies in the interpretation of the layer model by each individual car maker. they claim compliance by achieving the minimum openness i.e. you should be able to get at all of the basic error codes via a commercial interface such as the one above. the "advanced settings" are "manufacturer specific" i.e. you need a "manufacturer flavour software" for the "advanced settings". it is reported that the VAG group are the most protective within the interface world.

hope this helps. Dave

You should try scantool agreed. Scantool was the king but some claim the free version now is less than expected.


Big companies like Apple are fighting your "right to repair." They want you to to be in the dark about the codes and designs saying you might blow yourself up and kill hundreds by fixing it for less than the dealer charges.

Yesterday I was busy fixing a niece's Holden wagon.. Automatic spat out a lot of errors and dash was lit up like a bon fire...

So ELM327 with autodoctor. works with live feed only, no codes...

Scantool, wont connect...

Problem solved tho, bluetooth app that 16.04.2 uses from original install is blah blah... put blueman in, set rfcomm to ttyS* and away you go...

Anyway, did service as trans fluid was no longer the lovely red it should have been, new filter also, and what do you know... The transmission is now happy, metalic noise gone, fluid nice red... Sounds like problem solved, doesn't it...

My mechanical knowledge says "Transmission is on borrowed time"...Some specs of copper in old fluid, means the clutches and copper bearing surfaces are failing... Magnet in pan covered in fine metal particles, means pump on its way and then the fluid being dark brown in color, means clutch contact surface(friction surface) have just copped a flogging and fluid was not lubricating properly...

Only one solution to be prepared for "I got a full rebuild to do on nieces transmission".. Mind you its only $550 AUD in parts for me to do, BUT! Could have been avoided...

Anyway, codes showed low trans pressure, caused by filter blockage.. Helpful but once I seen the fluid, I already knew the problem.. Nothing secretive...

All this talk about auto makers trying to avoid you knowing whats going on, is not true...

Most auto manufactorers use basic programmes that others use, just like BIOS has a standard somewhat.. They all alter certain things to be individuals.. Some like Landrover and there groups, have there own fiddly system, and some even stuff up and create a stupid dangerous situation, like Ford and VW have... But at the end of the day, as I said before, You have to have a mechanical knowledge of some sort before hand...

That dont mean you need to do 4 years of scrubbing floors and sucking up to your boss to finish your apprenticeship... Or even understand the difference between ignition timing or cam timing or injection timing, but it does mean you need to understand a 4 cyl to an 8 cyl or even handy to know what a 4 stroke or 2 stroke is(And I dont mean fuel difference, I'm talking about the concept)..

If you start by learning to service your vehicle and read a workshop manual front to back, then go look for all the bits on your car, then a code reader will become your best friend.. The actual repairs dont have to be done by you, but you wont get ripped off if you know what your doing..





As for the question by Alberich...

Scantool will read codes and reset them.. Does a good job for the freedownload...
Autodoctor would be my choice for live feed and check speedo...
Both work well for me and I am using an ELM327 bluetooth on a ASUS laptop NV550j running Ubuntu 16.04.2

Your VW would be using EOBD through an OBD2 connection... Seems to be the standard for Europe and also a lot of vehicles here in Australia...

Didn't know your are not allowed to repair things for yourself, in the US...

So glad I live in Australia.. Brakes are about the only thing you have to be careful repairing here, because if you stuff up and they fail due to your mistake, then you become liable...

As for repairing your own products, its a necessity most of the time here, especially as I live in the country and we have few people that can fix things, and also when I was working, I could be anywhere upto 1,000 klms from someone who could fix things..

I spose we do things a little differently here in Aussie...

Should visit this place Jefro, wide open spaces in the central part of the west...

Many years later this question is still relevant, but no good answer. So I would like to offer this link:

https://autocommander.io

This is a free tool which is used for hacking your vehicle's electronics. It's available for various linux distros. It can connect to many popular adapters (ELM327/OBDsol/CAN/etc), and even connect to multiple busses as once.

This tool can be installed on your laptop and used to capture codes, playback codes (hacking), etc. Or, you can install it on a Raspberry Pi you permanently connect to your vehicle - and it creates a platform for building your own apps (using the API).

But for the purpose of the original question, it's a great OBD2 diagnostic tools that can query anything, reset DTC codes, etc.

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Was helping the guys in the auto shed yesterday to connect their new professional odb2 diagnostic tool to the wifi.
It runs android and they are smitten with it
https://www.zenithdiag.com/main.do?lang=

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