So, I get my Bluetooth adapter and download Torque Pro. My phone pairs with the adapter easily. Turn the truck on, load TP, the adaptor appears as it should in the app settings, I select it, and it starts trying to connect to the ECU, and like the rest of my life, nothing happens.

Reboot the phone, closed all the other apps, nothing.

Bail on the E450 and try the F450 - same thing. Gonna try the F250 once my phone charges some, but I doubt it makes a difference.

I saw something in the adapter instructions about problems with some F150s.

I got the adapter off Amazon from a link someone else here provided. From BAFX Products. Its called an Echo 290. Its lights perform as they should with a red one remaining illuminated after it boots.

I never got the other adaptor I bought a couple of years ago to connect either. That's why I went with the ScanGuageII.

 

Probably your bluetooth adapter - I had a BAFX adapter for use on my old GMC, it worked fine. I tried it in the F350 when I got it and once again, it worked fine, but since this is a 6.0, I wanted to leave it installed and monitor the engine with Torque Pro, so I bought one of the short length bluetooth adapters (the BAFX was the long length and stuck down so far under the dash) and never could get that one to work.for me, and it acted exactly like you described yours as doing.

I was unable to find a BAFX Echo 290 on Amazon so I couldn't read up on it, but I would place my first bet on your adapter having a problem - second bet would pretty much have to be the telephone, but that's pretty remote in my opinion

 

 

Edit: Ignore me. I read DashBoss and not Torque. You get one solid blue light and one flashing ? next time you're at that point, double click the home button and kill the app by swiping up, reopen, go to Config and do a level 1 reset. Kill the app and reopen

 

I'm on Android. And this unit does hang down pretty far in my truck. The van's connector is more horizontal so its not a problem.

TTD I'm not clear on your recommendation. I don't see a Home button in the TP app. I can click the phone's Home button, and swipe right to see the page with the TP start up icon. But swiping it up does nothing. I can shut it down from the Open Apps/Tabs screen. Also not clear whether you mean the phone's or the app's config function.

 

Don't know if you figured this out or not but I had problems with my bluetooth connection if I had any other device paired with my phone. Including bluetooth speakers or handsfree devices. I just removed all other things and made sure to connect just to the OBDII device. Then the BAFX should ask you for a pin 1234. Also I get out of TP by using the back arrow button on the phone and TP will ask if I want to quit. This is why I started usind a dedicated $50.00 cheap RCA tablet.

Are you sure the Echo 290 isn't a handsfree device and not the BAFX?

kevin

 

Well, I definitely don't have any other BT devices connected. I never get a request for the pin. My phone just pairs with it instantly. Shows it as paired in the phone Settings and in the TP app. It hangs up after that. It seems that either the TP app is not "connecting" to the Echo 290, even though it's paired, or the Echo is not connecting to the trucks ECU. When I open Adapter Status in TP, both of those functions are highlighted with have a yellow exclamation point. "Are you connected to the Adapter?" - "No. Connecting to Echo 290." So it sees the Echo, and knows it's an Echo, but it's not connecting to the Echo. Second question: "Can the adapter talk OK to the vehicle ECU?" "No."

I got in contact with BAFX and he walked me through the process - it was the same as in the instructions that came with it, and I was doing everything right. He's sending me a new one that they will have tested.

Not sure what you mean by "hands free device and not the BAFX." I've noted to their tech a couple of times that my phone identifies it as the "Echo 290" whereas the instructions and his emails state that it will be identified as "OBDII." He's ignored both of those comments, so I assume that doesn't matter. I've also told him that my phone never asks for the pin and described how it connects, and he ignores that as well. He's also aware of my application - the vehicle and the TP app I'm using it for, so I'd think he'd know if I had the wrong device.

Thanks for the advice. So how do you connect the tablet? With a cable, or does it have BT built in? I have an extra PC, will check to see it if has BT.

 

Do you have an Amazon Echo device in your house?

My $50.00 RCA tablet has bluetooth. The cheaper $40.00 one did not.

The steps for first time setup:
Insert Bafx device in truck.
Turn truck key on but do not start.
On tablet go into bluetooth settings and unpair with everything except OBDII. Then it should ask for pin.
Once it is connected to the phone open Torque Pro. Torque should find the OBDII and connect to the truck.

At least that is how I remember it being.

Kevin

 

There's an issue with Android 5.x connecting to some BT devices. In that case the Android device won't display a pop up for PIN, and I believe it will act as if it paired but won't communicate properly. That sounds a bit like your problem, so may be worth checking.

 

I noticed I forgot to clarify hand free device. It is one of those things you hang on your ear while driving to listen and talk on the phone. They are a form of bluetooth device.

Kevin

 

Interesting, Cabo. Sounds like my problem, but I just checked, and my phone is v7.0.

 

I can't think this is a hands free device, Kevin. It plugs into the OBDII port. What else would that be good for except collecting vehicle data?

 

You are correct that the OBDII is not a hands free device. I was just thinking that with you being a hot shot driver you might use a hand free device to talk on your phone while driving.


Pic of bluetooth hands free phone device.

Kevin

 

If you are ever passing through Missouri on I-44 during an evening or weekend, send me a PM and maybe we can get together and see if we can get one of these working for you.

I am pretty sure your phone is not correctly seeing the OBDII Bluetooth. That is why I was suggesting other Bluetooth devices that your phone may be paired with and those are blocking your connection to the OBDII. I have used 4 different Bluetooth OBDII devices and every one of them showed up on my phones, laptop, or tablet as OBDII and not some other name. In fact I wish they would all use unique names so that I can make sure I am trying to pair with the right one if I move the tablet or phone between vehicles or devices. I have a VTECH OBDII Bluetooth in the 2006 F250 and a BAFX in my 1995 F-250. I just bought my daughter another BAFX for her to use in her car.

Let me know if you are ever in my area and I can try to help you. Remember, you have to turn ignition key of the truck to ON before pairing the Bluetooth OBDII on your phone the first time. The BAFX does not have power until the ignition is turned ON.

Kevin

 

thanks for the invite! I've been staying close to Texas lately because I don't have DOT numbers and the job boards don't let me bid interstate loads.

I think you're prolly right. It's the phone and not the app or my trucks. Wish I had someone around here with TP on their phone to see if it connects with my adapter.

I think I downloaded Forscan to my other PC, but not sure if it has BlueTooth. I have another phone, but it's broke.

Maybe I just need to buy that cheap tablet you got, or a throw away phone from a pawn shop. The phone wouldn't have to have service, I don't think, to connect. Would just have to figure out how to get TP on it without service.