OBD Bluetooth Adapter w/ Torque Pro

I'm getting ready for the 1,800 mile tow to Rockford and was wanting a transmission temperature gauge for my 2008 Chrysler Aspen.  I got to wondering if this information was available at the OBD port under the dash, since about every car since the late '90s has one.

Low and behold, this was easier than I ever imagined.  First, I got this OBD Bluetooth (Chinese made) adapter from Walmart.com for $12.27, which includes free shipping, a pretty decent cell phone mounting bracket and a carrying bag!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EEEKit-for-Car-ELM327-v1-5-Bluetooth-Interface-OBD2-Car-Scanner-Adapter-TORQUE-ANDROID-Suction-Mount/152555021?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=503&adid=22222222227040643797&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=99651167074&wl4=pla-235732087474&wl5=9030335&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111840109&wl11=online&wl12=152555021&wl13=&veh=sem

I did some research and found that an excellent app called Torque Pro is available that will read out just about anything that is available from the OBD port and will display it via Bluetooth on your Android smart phone as a meter, graph, digital readout or just about any format you could want.  And it's only $4.95!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en

Amazingly, it all worked pretty much out-of-the-box!!!  I plugged it in an instantly got things like rpm, coolant temp and other measurements that show by default. I had to change the settings from the default metric measurements and initially couldn't get the transmission temperature to display properly, but I then found a Chrysler folder hidden in the menus, one of which had the code I needed for my vehicle! 

So for less than $18 and about an hour of messing with the settings, I have a real-time digital readout of my transmission temps.  I could monitor everything from engine oil temp, intake manifold temps, engine fault codes etc. if I wanted to, but I don't really want any of that at this time.

Isn't it amazing what technology can do?  I didn't have to tap into the transmission cooler line, and drank a beer rather than bending over a hot engine bay!





Edited by CamJam - Jul/14/2016 at 10:47am

amxdreamer wrote: That's pretty cool! Does it run as a stand alone or does it run off data? Just keep the Aspen in tow mode and she will be fine.     I took my truck in for a transmission service on Monday as it was still the original fluid and had acted a little funny earlier this month while towing my travel trailer. I figure I was lucky as apparently the filter had dropped out of position and was just sitting in the pan! Fluid looked like new which is good considering 130,000 km with a lot of towing the enclosed car trailer and travel trailer. 150 bucks for just the filter and 140 for the fluid, I guess the 6 speed is the expensive one...

1970390amx wrote: amxdreamer wrote: That's pretty cool! Does it run as a stand alone or does it run off data? Just keep the Aspen in tow mode and she will be fine.     I took my truck in for a transmission service on Monday as it was still the original fluid and had acted a little funny earlier this month while towing my travel trailer. I figure I was lucky as apparently the filter had dropped out of position and was just sitting in the pan! Fluid looked like new which is good considering 130,000 km with a lot of towing the enclosed car trailer and travel trailer. 150 bucks for just the filter and 140 for the fluid, I guess the 6 speed is the expensive one... What are you driving?

2009 F150 with the 5.4 and a 6 speed. Does a great job on the long hauls east. None of the parts places had the filter in stock so HAD to get it from the local Ford dealer along with the specific fluid. We know they charged max price because they didn't get the work but I trust my mechanic (he is the only other person to drive my AMX) and know he does good work.  

Edited by amxdreamer - Jul/14/2016 at 12:31pm

amxdreamer wrote:   Cam, your Aspen will do great. My Grand Cherokee with the 4.7HO hauled my car to Reno on an open trailer with no problems and yours is bigger and has the bigger powertrain.

The vehicle I traded was a 2001 Grand Cherokee. I loved it, but it only had the 4.0 six.  I towed the AMX with it to Las Vegas (5 hours each way) and it did OK, but it was right at the limit.. really a little too much for a comfortable drive with the straight-six and a short wheelbase. The Aspen wheelbase is 13" longer and it weighs about 1,100 pounds more than the Jeep, so a lot less tail wagging the dog.  And the Hemi, of course.  A buddy of mine has a GC with the 4.7, and that really seems like a nice motor for the Jeep.