OBD2 Fault Code software for Windows 10 recommendation

[patxi]

I have a ELM327 USB/OBD2 fault code reader that I want to use. I have the drivers figured out already but I need some suggestions for the software. I will use this on a Windows 10 laptop connected via USB. Google gives me quite a few suggestions but many want to charge me and the free ones look dodgy. Suggestions for a free and virus-free program would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Cocximus]

I'm not certain, but the old freeware vag-com software can use generic elm readers to read any car obd diagnostics.

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[anotherVTskibum]

What make/model/year car?

For a modern Ford, you can't beat ForSCAN with a stick. It picks up codes and also allows changing certain system parameters and running diagnostics and calibration routines that are otherwise dealer-only. There may be similar software out there for other brands of vehicle, but I don't know.

[Cocximus]

Look through https://cartechnology.co.uk/
Great forum for car software.

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[patxi]

Thanks for the ideas.

The car is an Alfa 147 Q2 2007.

[Cocximus]

You should just run all scetchy software in a virtual computer. virtualbox.org is free and it has no problem interfacing with physical hardware.

[RShea]

Torque (Pro version just recently from the free Lite version) is what I use (bluetooth to the cheap Elm chip based reader)... The version I use is on my Android phone (or tablet can be used if you want bigger display for more items on the dashboard as they call the app display page)..

A few of the free or evaluation PC/Windows laptop apps I tried when I got the Elm years ago did not work or wanted you to pay money for it to be usable (my Elm off Ebay had a little mini Cd with 3 or 4 trials or demos...) Looks like their is a Windows version also of both the Lite (free) and Pro version... if you do have a bluetooth device in the laptop, that could be investigated.

[patxi]

Ended up going with Multiecuscan. Free version works for 20 minute sessions. Took several hours to work out the communication issues but finally got it to work with a Windows XP driver.

Now I need to figure out what to fix on the car. It came back with an EGR valve issue which could mean several things.

[lucknau]

You've already pulled the trigger and got something, but I'd still recommend getting a cheap, Wifi capable OBDII reader and downloading a few freeware OBDii phone apps till you find one you like. These are what I've been using for the past 5 years:

App:


Reader:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077F8F6TB..._DbiBDbRNGPM84