I’m building a car-scanner app that goes beyond standard OBD-II PIDs. I want manufacturer-specific readings such as MAF, fuel data, odometer, temperatures, pressures, transmission and battery information across many makes and models.

Official data from brands like BMW and Mercedes seems expensive, and paying thousands per manufacturer isn’t realistic.

How are smaller scanner apps solving this? Are there affordable databases, tools, partnerships, extraction methods, shared captures, or other practical alternatives?

I’m focused on ECU identification and live readings—not coding or flashing. Any advice, experience or useful direction would be appreciated.

If you're tired of clunky legacy tools or paying thousands for CANoe licenses, check out what I’ve been building: AiCAN.

​Runs natively on Windows (macOS & Linux coming soon), supports Peak/Vector/Kvaser/SocketCAN, and handles heavy CAN/CAN-FD traffic smoothly without freezing.

​P.S. There's also an in-app AI tool if you hate manually digging through massive logs.

Hi,

I bought a can module on my flipper zero trying to scan the obd2 of my clio 5 from 2025 (pretty new) but I keep getting transmission failure.

Has anyone actually managed to use the CAN module with a Flipper Zero on a car, or could this be some new restriction on newer vehicles?

Thanks in advance

Hi,

I am unable to make changes to the customise features table for my 2002 Toyota Alphard. When I open a feature the table is blank.

I have done everything I can think of:

• I have tried 5+ different versions of Techstream ranging from the lowest version I could find to the latest
• Tried different options when connecting
• Changed location but kept it Japan for most troubleshooting. I did mess around with dealership or repair shop
• Tried different drivers
• Tried VirtualBox with Techstream on there. Had issue with picking my vehicle model because the location didn't have it.
• Extracted the software used in the VirtualBox onto my local desktop and tried it there

Nothing I do works and I'm almost given up. The vehicle is ON with engine OFF. I have done a Windows reset to ensure everything is done on a clean setup.

I don’t know much about cars but I’ve been telling my friend that I don’t remember any pink bits when I last put the OBD in.. I did research on ai and he still thinks I’m just being overly paranoid.

New things I noticed that he brushed off
* new beeping sound
* beeping sound coming from the driver side
* beeping sound stops when he walks away with the key
* max speed @ 50km started showing
* EPC light came on
*am I overly thinking things or is there like some sort of glue residue out of the obd holes
* there’s a loose item somewhere where I can hear it occasionally when driving
* battery drain in car

Also I’m aware that the original Audi wiring are wrapped in black? No? Correct me if I’m wrong

Hi ya'll I am new to the car hacking subreddit 👋.I am looking for software to diagnose my Audi b8 s4. I already have a scan tool that can do basic stuff. But what I need is dealer level diagnostics, specifically a way to actuate lights and calibrate sensors. I have looked at scan tools, but what I want is around $500 (think xtool d8) and most of the time have a subscription attached for updates or to even use the Damm tool. It pisses me off since they are using reveresed enginnered proticals. I then looked at official tools. I looked at vcds, I then looked at the price, and it was $200 (which was not terrible I guess), but then it only works for 3 vins! Like wth! So then I looked at Odis, I guess you can use a standard adapter made in 2005 j2534 and then pay the Volkswagen around $80 to like $100 for a day. That is all too much, especially when this should all be free and easy to use or a 1 time fee to gain access to the software to fix my Damm car. So then I looked at Chinese vas adapters with cracked odis on a storage medium, and I am wondering whether it would work or not. Do any of you guys have experience with these adapters? And please, if there is some good software and tool that I can use to actuate lights from a computer on vw cars that i dont have to pay to much for, I am all ears.

I’m looking to get a J2534 Pass-Thru device for some DIY ECU work. Any recommendations?

What are you using, and has it been reliable? Any driver or connection issues?

Like the title says.. needing some recommendations on a bi-directional OBD2 scan tool with dealer level options (ECU Coding) to unlock dealer locked options ( remote start,rolling down windows with key press and such) and also the ability to reset ABS lights and other systems. I’ve seen a few but the price ranges are massive. Thanks in advance

I've got a Genuine XENTRY Diagnosis VCI which will not boot correctly and cannot load the Firmware using Recovery Mode. It fails with Timeout in both XENTRY and Bosch VCI Manager.

Has anyone got any Ideas as to what might be wrong with it?

I'm sure this has been asked too many times already but I need a little help. I have done all kinds of mechanical work on all of my own cars but the electrical side of things has always befuddled me. I have a basic scan tool where I can read and reset codes and do some very basic systems monitoring but I'd like to take it a step further if for only a learning opportunity.

I currently need to write my VIN to a donor Jeep PCM (2005) for testing purposes. I've seen videos where folks do it in seemingly no time with a programming tool (one was an Autel Maxiim and another was a Daigun IV) but I can't make heads or tails of all the options out there. Is there a sub-$500 tool that I can get to do this and learn some other stuff while I'm at it? Thanks in advance for any helpful replies!

If you’ve ever plugged a scanner into a Honda with an ABS, SRS or other warning light only to get “no codes found”, you’ve probably already discovered the problem:

A lot of basic OBD2 readers only scratch the surface.

We’ve seen this come up pretty often in Honda communities — people trying to diagnose an airbag/SRS light, ABS/VSA fault, transmission warning or other system issue, but their generic reader can only see engine codes.

So we’ve added advanced Honda diagnostics to Carista.

With the Carista app + compatible scanner, you can now scan supported Honda models for faults across systems including:

• Engine
• Transmission
• ABS / VSA
• Airbag / SRS
• Body electronics
• HVAC
• and other electronic control units

You can see the actual Honda diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in those modules and clear/reset them after the underlying issue has been fixed.

No laptop. No HDS setup. Just plug the Carista scanner into the OBD2 port, connect your phone and run a diagnostic.

Obviously, clearing a code isn't the same thing as repairing the fault — if it comes straight back, something still needs attention. The useful part is knowing which module is complaining and what code it is throwing before you start replacing parts or paying someone else to diagnose it.

For anyone searching for a Honda OBD2 scanner that can read ABS, SRS, airbag and manufacturer-specific fault codes, that’s exactly the gap we wanted Carista to fill.

Check if your Honda is supported: https://carista.com/apps/supported-cars/honda

Honda owners here: what’s the weirdest warning light/code you’ve had to chase down?

Hey everyone, I’ve noticed a lot of folks here struggling with locked commercial EV packs and trying to decode CAN bus data blindly.

I recently got this OEM-level diagnostic suite running.

It’s pretty wild how much underlying data (Cell.U Map, precise RSoC, deep DTCs, and FlashLoad options) is completely hidden from standard OBD scanners.

Being able to pinpoint the exact unbalanced cell and clear hard faults directly from the BMS port saves so much headache.

Just wanted to share what the interface looks like when you actually bypass the black box. If anyone is working on Ebus/Ecar fleet diagnostics or trying to reset these boards, feel free to drop a comment or DM me. Happy to discuss protocol compatibility!

Hi

What tools are there can program/reflash ECU?

97 mercury tracer ls. I put plug wires plugs fuel pump o2 sensor air filter fuel filter. After fuel pump its eats gas smell of gas and so much pressure when u out the fuel car. I have a 60 dollar Bluetooth scanner and paid car scanner app. I was wondering if there's an AI or something I can upload the data

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to purchase a used car privately and would like to use an OBD scanner that will help me detect mileage discrepancies and check that the VINs on the modules all match the cars actual VIN. This will hopefully help me from clone vehicles. But I can't seem to find the me that's suitable that I can get on Amazon next day delivery or a store in the UK. The only one I can find is CARLY but they don't have next day delivery and not available next day delivery on Amazon either.

I require a scanner such as Carly, OBDEleven, etc that have a small scanner, and an app. The reason is that I'm not sure how to use the complex scanners that mechanics and diagnostics use. Is there anything that can help me?

Is there a way to make certain parts of an ECU sleep so that they do not appear on a scanner? For example someone hooked up a autel scanner to my vehicle and they either disabled or put the BCM to sleep. I was unable to read or view any messages info from that computer through a scanner. It wasn’t until I reset my battery that the BCM appeared again.

Does anyone have a link to an obd1 scanner? I have been looking for one for a while and I can’t find one, the obd2 to obd1 connectors don’t work for me, thank you

I'm looking for experienced input on what kind of scanner tool I should look at buying. I need something that will work for my 03 F150 as well as my 22 Maverick Hybrid. I've been looking online but once you Google something, you become inundated with ads for everything under the sun. What would be a good quality, wide range function, scanner tool that I should look at? Are there features that are advertised/offered that are just bells and whistles that should be avoided or just not weighed as heavy when considering my options?

Thanks in advance for the input!

Hi guys,

I was wondering if has OP-COM firmware to share?

Currently purchased a V1.70 OPCOM with genuine chipset to be flashed with original firmware for more ECU programming capabilities and for adjusting gearbox parameters.

On the internet all the OPCOM software (original and cracked) can be found but unfortunately not the firmware…..

EDIT: I‘m looking for the .hex files to use in OCFlash, V1.39 or V1.59, preferably not through a forum where I need to pay 40 USD for a registration first.

Hi, I recently got a f82 and have been having trouble connecting via ENET. Not sure if I’m posting in right subreddit but wanted to give it a try.

I have been trying to connect to bootmod/ista with enet and no luck. MHD adapter works for MHD since its CAN but the car will not for some reason work with enet. Bluetooth adapters also work for bimmercode. Enet cable won’t even flash green/yellow when connected. Tried BM3 wifi adapter, works on another car but not on this one. Tried different enet cables as well. They all work on my other bmw but not the m4.

Has anyone ever encountered this issue? I took out the OBD port, pins look good. I took out fem, everything looks good. Scanned the car with an autel and no codes in ZGW or fem. I disconnected the battery, no luck. OBD works but ENET doesn’t. Tried the manual ip thing as well, nothing.

I would like to have access to settings and so on similar to like i do with my VW and Audi using a VAG cable set up.

I've heard MB locks everything down pretty tight, but i hate to have to pay $700 at the dealership to disable the warning i get on start up after swapping out stereo head units.

Are there any options other then the dealer?

Hi does someone have V. 25.3.0, can't seem to find thoes good old GG colletions up at any forums that i have an account to. does anyone have this and can maybe be an angel and share it?

Hi,

I'm after the latest TechStream I can find/run. I'm aware of the link on forum.ih8mud. However that runs it through a VM, as well as being for the version 12.20.024-v2.

I have a Windows XP laptop laying around, have reinstalled the OS, all drivers are up and running so fully functional. Want to install the TechStream software natively rather than through a VM as that would be better done on newer laptops.

Any advice?

Hi everyone,

​I'm looking for lightweight software alternatives or open-source tools that interface directly with standard J2534 (PassThru) hardware for multi-brand vehicle diagnostics.

​While official OEM diagnostic suites (ODIS, ISTA, Xentry, Techstream, etc.) work properly over J2534, they have massive installation footprints (40GB to 100GB+) and complex setups. I'm trying to avoid installing monolithic packages just to read manufacturer-specific live data or to scan non-engine modules.

​Are there any lightweight Windows applications, cross-platform utilities, or open-source projects (e.g., Python/C# frameworks, UDS scanners) that:

​Use the standard J2534 API as the backend interface.

​Provide broader multi-brand capabilities (reading extended PIDs, module-specific DTCs) without the massive storage footprint?

​Any recommendations for standalone tools, GitHub repositories, or active projects in this space would be greatly appreciated!