OBDLink CX --> ABRP but sets the alarm off !

[JIS]

Hello all,
Well I did my research and OBDLink CX is definitely listed as compatible with my new MG4. So it arrived today and I fitted it (easy) and soon I was getting live data to ABRP.
The issue is when I came to lock the car and return to the house, the ALARM went off.
The only way I could stop this happening was to put my iPhone into flight mode and then lock the car and all was silent.
However, this is not a great way to continue. Help please

 

[webhiker]

Yup, that is what happens.
It is somehow linked to that the dongle keeps "talking" to the car, after the alarm has been set. That is a safety issue, thus the alarm is being triggered.
I have implemented a switch to solve the issue. Check my previous posts

 

[JIS]

Yup, that is what happens.
It is somehow linked to that the dongle keeps "talking" to the car, after the alarm has been set. That is a safety issue, thus the alarm is being triggered.
I have implemented a switch to solve the issue. Check my previous posts

Yes well, coincidentally I have also ordered an on/off switch for the OBD port (for security reasons). Until it arrives, I'll need to put my iPhone into flight mode before attempting to leave and lock the car.
I assume that the OBDLink CX does turn off at some point because, when I approach the locked car (say 20 mins later with my iPhone in normal BT and WiFi mod) all is normal and I unlock the car and get in without a problem. Thoughts anyone ?

 

[kenneth104]

I use Vgate iCar Pro 2S, it says it supports sleep and wake-up, I'm not sure what that means, but I still chose it. No alarm on the phone.

 

[Coulomb]

Thoughts anyone ?

Some MGs (but not the Mark 1 ZS EV) seem to be prone to setting off the horn/alarm if a dongle is detected in the OBD II port when the car is locked.

So best to turn it off (if that's possible) or remove it when finished with it.

 

[pecker]

Would leaving the OBD plugged in all the time cause any battery draining issues ?

 

[kenneth104]

Would leaving the OBD plugged in all the time cause any battery draining issues ?

No, mine is always connected

 

[Coulomb]

Would leaving the OBD plugged in all the time cause any battery draining issues ?

Yes, the horn blaring for hours tends to drain the battery

Seriously, it seems to depend on the dongle. The Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) types seem to use a lot less power when idle, and therefore less energy integrated over time. Many of the more reasonable dongles seem to be LE these days, though the very cheapest ones may not be. Not all apps support the LE types either, though most of the decent apps do.

 

[JIS]

I have spoken to the UK distributor of the OBDLink CX; he strongly proposed that I return the CX and buy the MX+. More expensive but he assured me that it has more sophisticated "ignition off sleep functions". So, I'll try it. Fingers crossed.

 

[serwojtas]

I found a solution for turning off this alarm – you just need to press the car lock button twice, and the alarm won't activate. The second press should be done after the turn signals blink three times (so, press, wait 5 seconds, and press again).

 

[siteguru]

Sounds like that process is disabling the car alarm?

For info ... I have a Vgate ODB2 adapter from AliExpress. I've just got a new phone so I've been setting everything up ... one activity was to pair it with my Wireless Android Auto adapter. Whilst doing so I decided to also pair it with my ODB2 adapter and test Car Scanner again ... I was able to use both adapters concurrently, and even got some Car Scanner data on the car screen via wireless AA.

The main reason for this response though is ... I left the OBD2 adapter plugged in and locked the car as normal via a single press on the keyfob. No alarm response, and on checking the 12V battery via iSmart this morning the voltage looks OK.

 

[JIS]

Hello all. Well I was advised that the OBDLink MX+ was THE device to get as this has smarter tech that turns off the BT and hence avoids the alarm going off. So, I bought it, returning the CX (which worked except the alarm went off !).
So the MX+ does indeed prevent the alarm going off except that it WILL NOT connect to ABRP (which, for me, is the primary purpose of the device). Before reverting to the CX and an on/off switch, is there anyone out there who has a MX+ working with ABRP ?
Here's hoping !!

 

[DixieTGS]

The MX+ is regular Bluetooth. From memory I think the ABRP help states that it requires Bluetooth LE.

If you are going to try any other devices, selecting only Bluetooth LE ones may not fix the alarm problem but at least should mean ABRP will still work.

 

[siteguru]

I'll maybe try a free trial of ABRP Premium and see if my Vgate adapter works with it. (I know it doesn't set off the alarm).

Or can you link an ODB adapter with ABRP without Premium (but maybe get a restricted set of info/controls)?

 

[JIS]

The MX+ is regular Bluetooth. From memory I think the ABRP help states that it requires Bluetooth LE.

If you are going to try any other devices, selecting only Bluetooth LE ones may not fix the alarm problem but at least should mean ABRP will still work.

Yes that's the correct answer ABRP tech support have just confirmed that it's the CX that is compatible and not the MX+. My mistake. But thanks to Amazon I can rectify at not cost to me. (Well, actually the CX is around €75 CHEAPER thank the MX+!)

I'll maybe try a free trial of ABRP Premium and see if my Vgate adapter works with it. (I know it doesn't set off the alarm).

Or can you link an ODB adapter with ABRP without Premium (but maybe get a restricted set of info/controls)?

Although I have already signed up for Premium, an OBD device will still work with the free version.

 

[siteguru]

I'll try to remember to take a look ... maybe you need premium for the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay integration.

 

[wattmatters]

ABRP Premium is required for use with Carplay.

 

[Mark Hewitt]

Has anyone found a dongle that works with ABRP, doesn't set the alarm off and/or allow the car to be easily stolen.

 

[siteguru]

Not tried mine with ABRP but I imagine it does work - it works fine with Car Scanner. I leave mine plugged in all the time without the alarm going off. I paid £15.37 delivered.

Vgate iCar Pro 2S Bluetooth 5.3 OBD2 Scanner Auto SCAN ELM327 Diagnostic Tool OBDII Diagnose for iOS/Android/Windows - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[JIS]

Has anyone found a dongle that works with ABRP, doesn't set the alarm off and/or allow the car to be easily stolen.

Yes and no. So I bought an OBD cable extension with an on/off switch in the middle. Before I leave the car I switch it off! However, if I forget, lock the car, the alarm sounds !!!
Note to self : always switch off before leaving the car !!