OBDLink Windows Quick Start Guide

Step 1: Enable Bluetooth on your Windows PC, Laptop, or Tablet

If you are using an USB-to-Bluetooth adapter, follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing any required Windows device drivers.

If your computer has built-in Bluetooth, make sure it's enabled. Consult the Owner's Manual for your PC for detailed instructions.


Step 2: Locate the OBD-II diagnostic connector in your vehicle

The diagnostic connector is always located in or near the interior dashboard of your vehicle. The diagnostic connector will usually be exposed, but sometimes it's hidden under a decorative plastic cover, or behind an ashtray or coin tray. The most common location is below the steering column, just below the driver's dash area.

DLC icon


Step 3: Plug OBDLink into your diagnostic connector

Don't use excessive force, but make sure it fits snugly.

OBDLink MX Bluetooth is used in the above video, but the process is the same for all OBDLink devices.

Once plugged in, the 'Power' LED will turn solid green.

For Wi-Fi models, the 'Wi-Fi' light will emit a flash every 3 seconds.


Step 4: Turn ignition key to the 'ON' position

On some vehicles the 'ON' position is marked with the Roman numeral 'II'. If there are no markings, turn the key clockwise and stop just short of starting the engine.

key_ignition


Step 5: Make OBDLink discoverable

Press the 'Connect' button. The 'BT' light will start blinking faster as shown here:

 

attention_splatAttention! You will have 2 minutes to complete Step 3 below.

If you need more time, press the 'Connect' button again.


 Step 6: Pair OBDLink with your Windows computer

Open the Windows System Tray and right-click the Bluetooth icon (circled in red below), then click 'Add a Device'.

win_bt_sys_tray

Windows will automatically discover and display your OBDLink device as shown below. Click 'OBDLink', then click 'Next'.

win_bt_discovered

NOTE: Some Windows Bluetooth adapters support Numeric Comparison. If this applies to your Bluetooth adapter, you will see the following screen. Simply ignore the 'Compare pairing codes' request, select 'Yes', and then click 'Next'. If you are given an option to pair without a code or enter the PIN, choose to enter the PIN '1234'

win_bt_code_yes_w_note

NOTE: Some Windows Bluetooth adapters use PINs. If this applies to your Bluetooth adapter, you will see the following screen. If you are given an option to pair without a code, or enter the PIN, choose to enter the PIN '1234'.

Legacy bluetooth pair

Windows will confirm that OBDLink was successfully installed by displaying the screen below.

win_bt_success

If OBDLink did not install correctly, press the 'Connect' button on OBDLink and repeat Step 3.


Step 7: Install the OBDwiz application

Download and install the latest version of OBDwiz.

Note: Verify that you have successfully paired OBDLink with Windows (as detailed in the 'Windows - Establish Bluetooth Connection' guide) and that your vehicle key is set to the 'On' position before continuing.


Step 8: Initial Software Setup

Click the 'Auto Detect' button, circled in red here:

obdwiz_autodetect

OBDwiz will check all known COM ports and baud rate options and auto-configure itself to work seamlessly with your OBDLink adapter. When Auto-Detect is complete, you will see a dialog box similar to below:

obdwiz_device_found


Step 9: Connecting to your vehicle

Click the 'Connect' button (circled in red below):

obdwiz_connect

OBDwiz will cycle through all legislated OBD-II protocols and detect which is used by your vehicle. A status screen will indicate progress of the automatic protocol detection:

obdwiz_proto_detect

On many vehicles, there are multiple on-board computers (ECUs) that reside on the OBD-II network.

obdwiz_ecu_select

Since OBD-II protocol dictates that you can only connect to one ECU at a time, it's recommended you connect to the ECU reporting the most Supported PIDs first (you can always re-connect and select an alternate ECU). Click 'Continue'.


Step 10: Accessing Data

OBDWiz can diagnose 'Check Engine' trouble codes, monitor real-time vehicle performance, check emissions readiness, log trips and much more.  To begin exploring these capabilities, click on a task along the left-hand side of the main screen:

obdwiz_select_task

Each task has multiple tabs that provide more specific information or actions associated with the selected task:

obdwiz_tabs

Below each tab, you can click on a specific action button:

obdwiz_action_bar