Recently, the check engine alert lit up in the panel of my car. In order to determine the problem, I bought a scanner for $5 to see if I can find the error code and solve it. Today we are going to try OBDII Scanner
This tiny scanner is very well rated, and a lot of people have had great results with it. OBDII Scanner or also known as ELM327 works with many applications, but you have to find the one that checks with your car brand. For example, the most used app is one called Torque, but for my car (a Chevrolet Optra 2007) it doesn't have the codes to analyze it, so I had to use another app called ELM OBDII car scanner, but this one is a bit more complicated.
The app gives you a lot of options to see the stats of your car, but what I need at this moment is to find why the check engine alert is turned on.
At the beginning the app asks you a lot of questions about your car, so it could be annoying for some people. The Torque app was simpler and quicker to manage, but it didn't work with my car so that's why I'm using this one.
And a couple of seconds later Wala!!!
ERROR CODE P0113 
When you tap the code, it redirects you to a webpage where they explain to you what the code means, and this is what it says:
- It is possible that the Intake Air Temperature Sensor (IAT) or the cables related to this sensor, are rubbing against components such as the alternator or spark plug cables.
- The electrical connection to the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor may be faulty.
- Possible IAT sensor signal short to ground
- The IAT sensor reference signal circuit may be shorted.
- The Intake Air Temperature Sensor may be failing internally
All this info was taken from this website (it's in spanish)
So, I tried to find the IAT sensor and see if it was damaged
But the surprise was that it was disconnected!! and probably that happened when I got my air conditioner repaired.
I know that was the problem, and after cleaning the panel it's just a matter of time to see if the check engine alert doesn't show up again, I'm sure it won't.
ELM327 Scanner is a useful tool to do your own diagnostics. It is really helpful and just costs $5.
Tonio out
Thank you for sharing this application with us, no doubt many will find it useful, and you also show your point of view when using it and the options it gives for the vehicle.
Hola Josue! Bueno solo tenia mi teléfono y por eso no me pude tomar una foto usandola, capaz hubiera hecho un selfie pero se hubiera visto raro jajaj.
Con respecto a la app, vertale a pesar de ser gratuita tiene varias opciones para ver los sensores, el arranque, etc. pero no hable de ellos porque nose mucho al respecto todavia, solo me llamo la atención porque podía leer las fallas del OBD.
Hay otra APP que utilizan mas que se llama Torque que es bastante buena tambien, pero no sirve con los optra.
Jeje con una selfie hubiera sido bien raro si.
Para ser gratis creo que es muchas opciones que pueden ser de utilidad y ventajosas.
I gotta say, never i have seen one of these in a home or common folk hands, but is nice to see you triying it out to fix your car and teach us about it, is really good because in the long run, it could be the best investment vs going to the mechanic :)