AlfaOBD is a diagnostic software for the vehicles produced by Stellantis (former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles FCA) group.
In general, 1994 - 2023 Fiat / Alfa Romeo / Lancia, and 2005 - 2023 Chrysler / Dodge / Ram / Jeep vehicles are supported. For a particular model support see Supported Vehicles list.
The software is primarily targeted to serve the needs of the car owners, but it provides many of the professional scanner features.
The AlfaOBD app natively supports the Electronic Control Units (ECU), which differs AlfaOBD from the OBDII / EOBD diagnostic applications, because they only provide limited generic access to the engine and transmission modules and sometimes to the ABS.
The AlfaOBD software is available on the Windows PC (OS XP / 8 / 8.1 / 10 / 11) and Android (OS 4.0.3 and above) platforms. The Android and Windows apps have same functions so the choice is mostly a matter of convenience.
Warning: The Alfa OBD2 app available on Apple App Store is NOT an AlfaOBD version on iPhone, it is a different product not associated with AlfaOBD.
It is possible to use the Windows version of the app on a Mac PC from Parallels or Bootcamp Windows installation.
Please note that only the WiFi OBD interfaces can be used from Parallels on an M1 Mac.
The USB and WiFi interfaces can be used from Parallels on an Intel Mac, .
The Bluetooth/USB/WiFi OBD interfaces are supported on an Intel Mac with the Bootcamp Windows installation.
The AlfaOBD features include:
- monitoring various dynamic parameters of engine, transmission, body, dash, ABS, climate control, etc., and graphical presentation as adjustable plots
- reading of the static data: ECU id, system status, fault codes (DTC) with probable causes and environment information (freeze frames) where applicable
- clearing of fault (DTC) codes, monitoring the system for the occurence of new faults
- active diagnostics and configuration procedures for various equipment controlled by the ECUs. Service light reset, engine oil change, DPF regeneration, ABS bleed, air suspension maintenance, transmission calibration procedures, and many more.
- electronic key and RF remote control programming on some vehicle models
- adjustment of the car configuration with the ability to activate the newly installed equipment in the Body computer configuration, the Proxy alignment.
Here is the list of the hardware you will need to use the app on your vehicle
1. Security Gateway bypass (model years 2018 and later)
Starting from the model year 2018 (2017 Fiat 500L) Stellantis (FCA) installs the Security Gateway Module (SGW) blocking third-party diagnostics. AlfaOBD has no software solution yet. As a workaround please use a hardware SGW bypass module.
Owners of Alfa Romeo Giulia / Stelvio, Fiat 500X / Argo / Chronos / Toro, Jeep Renegade / Compass MP, Ducato Serie 8, RAM ProMaster 2022+, make sure that the bypass supports the second high-speed CAN bus. This bus is connected to the pins 12 and 13 of the car OBD socket.
Here are some recommended SGW bypasses:
North America:
https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_dbp/ - 2018+ Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep vehicles
https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_sgw/ - All Stellantis (FCA) vehicles including Alfa Romeo and Fiat Platforms with the second High-Speed CANBUS (Alfa Romeo Giulia / Stelvio, Fiat 500X / Toro / Jeep Renegade / Compass MP)
https://www.kaodtech.com/product-page/security-module-bypass - RAM/Dodge/Jeep
https://ecri.app/products/ecri-security-module-bypass-2018-jeep-ram
Europe:
https://electronic-fuchs.de/en/search?q=bypass
https://www.obdauto.fr/boitier-bypass-sgw-special-vehicules-fca-fiat-chrysler-automobiles-c2x28773236
https://www.obdauto.fr/cable-sgw-special-vehicules-fca-8-voies-12-voies-c2x29793057
Any other compatible bypass should also be fine, if in doubt please confirm the compatibility with the bypass distributor / manufacturer.
For the SGW location and bypass installation hints see, for example:
Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge
Fiat, Alfa Romeo
It is a good idea to disconnect the bypass before visiting your dealer as the dealer tools will fail with the bypass installed.
2, OBD interface
To connect to the vehicle you'll need a compatible OBD interface (and the colored adapters where required, see below).
For the recommended OBD interface and adapter options for a particular vehicle model see Supported Vehicles
At present the following types of interfaces are supported:
- OBDLink MX+/LX/EX/SX/CX and STN11xx - STN21xx based devices. The OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth or OBDLink EX USB are the recommended interfaces for the vehicles with the high-speed CAN bus on pins 6 and 14, and the middle-speed CAN bus on the pins 3 and 11 of the vehicle OBD socket. These are most of the PowerNet and CUSW-based Chrysler / Dodge / Ram (with the exception of RAM Pro Master before 2022 and RAM Pro Master City) / Jeep vehicles starting from about 2012, and Fiat Tipo / Egea. No additional adapters are needed on these cars when using OBDLink EX or MX+,.because these units have the built-in ability to connect to the middle-speed CAN bus.
As the OBDLink interfaces have a high communication speed they are especially recommended for the Body computer configuration adjustment and odometer correction on the Chrysler / Dodge / Ram / Jeep vehicles.
Note: Alfa Romeo Giulia / Stelvio, Fiat 500E(2020+) / 500X / Argo / Chronos / Toro, Ducato Serie 8, Jeep Renegade / Compass (MP), and RAM Pro Master (2022+) require the "grey" adapter (see below) to access the second high-speed CAN bus.
The OBDLink LX / SX / CX interfaces require the "blue" adapter to access the middle-speed CAN bus.
The OBDLink LX / SX / CX devices are recommended for the Fiat / Alfa Romeo / Lancia CAN-based vehicles with the low-speed CAN bus on pins 1 & 9 of the car OBD socket (for example, Alfa Romeo Giulietta / Mito / Fiat 500). The "yellow" adapter (see below) is required to access this low-speed CAN bus.
- ELM327 - based USB / Bluetooth / WLAN interfaces for PC and bluetooth/WiFi-enabled Android and Windows devices. All CAN units are supported and some on K-Line. Make sure the ELM 327 is of version 1.3 and above.
Warning: There are many suppliers of these interfaces, but not all of the interfaces are compatible with AlfaOBD!
An e-bay interface based on an ELM327 clone may work fine, but there are many interfaces on the market now which don't strictly follow the ELM327 specs. They may not be able to establish connection to the car at all, or they may have issues with certain diagnostic procedures. If AlfaOBD displays "Interface reports NO DATA" or "Interface reports CAN ERROR" message when attempting the connection to a control module, this is most probably a sign that you have one of these defective interfaces. Such an interface may work fine with an OBDII / EOBD diagnostic software, it has issues with AlfaOBD because a different diagnostic protocol is used.
It is recommended to use an ELM327 interface tested with AlfaOBD.
For example, the interfaces sold by Electronic-Fuchs.de have been tested for compatibility with AlfaOBD.
The "colored" adapters (see below) are needed to access the low- and middle-speed CAN buses, as well as the second high-speed CAN bus.
- OBDKey Bluetooth / USB / WLAN. A universal interface supporting all the control units installed on the FCA cars. Especially recommended for the non-CAN-based vehicles. It is a good choice (and the only one under Android) for the cars like Alfa Romeo 145/146/156/166.
The "colored" adapters (see below) are needed to access the low- and middle-speed CAN buses, as well as the second high-speed CAN bus. Although the multipin version doesn't require any adapters.
- Kiwi 3 Bluetooth LE (Android only). All CAN units are supported and some K-Line ones. The interface features very low power consumption.
The "colored" adapters (see below) are needed to access the low- and middle-speed CAN buses, as well as the second high-speed CAN bus.
- Generic j2534 USB (AlfaOBD PC version only). The "colored" adapters (see below) are needed to access the low- and middle-speed CAN buses, as well as the second high-speed CAN bus. Only the CAN bus connections are supported at the moment.
- KLLine USB interface. AlfaOBD PC version only due to the limitations of Android OS. No CAN support, so it can be used on the non-CAN vehicles only (Alfa Romeo 156 etc.).
For example, interfaces supplied by Electronic-Fuchs.de and ECUFix.com are supported.
The "colored" adapters (see below) may be needed to access the K-lines connected to the pins of the car OBD socket other than pin 7.
Note: The KLLine USB interfaces are not supported under Android due to the OS limitations.
The CAN USB interfaces are supported on the Android devices via On-The-Go (OTG). Check if your Android device supports On-The-Go and get a corresponding adapter.
Note: Some WLAN interfaces have a built-in support for Android (like OBDLink MX+ WiFi). The WLAN connection to others is only available from the Android devices having the ad-hoc Wi-Fi support enabled. Before purchasing a WLAN interface for use with the Android version of AlfaOBD please check if it is possible to configure your Android device for the ad-hoc Wi-Fi. Typically it requires the device to be rooted and the Wi-Fi driver replaced with a modified one.
3. Colored adapters
An additional adapter or set of adapters may be needed depending on the car model / production year and the OBD interface used.
For the recommended OBD interface and adapter options for a particular vehicle model see Supported Vehicles
On its selection screen, the AlfaOBD app displays the type of the adapter to plug into the car OBD socket and the suggested OBD interface to connect to the selected control module. Also, the app displays the "Connect adapter..." message before attempting to connect to the control module.
Note: No "blue" adapter needed when using OBDLink MX+ / EX, ELS27, Vgate vLinker FD / FD+ / MC / MC+ / FS interfaces. Close the "Connect blue adapter" message and proceed with the connection.
The following vehicles require "grey" adapter (independent on the OBD interface used, except the OBDKey multipin):
Alfa Romeo Giulia / Stelvio
Fiat 500E (2020+) / 500X / Argo / Chronos / Ducato Serie 8 (2022+) / Toro
Jeep Renegade / Compass (MP)
RAM Pro Master (2022+)
The following vehicles require "yellow" adapter (independent on the OBD interface used, except the OBDKey multipin):
Alfa Romeo Giulietta / Mito / 4C
Fiat 500 / 500E (before 2020) / 500L / Panda 2012+ / Punto EVO / Grande Punto
Fiat Professional Ducato (types 250 and 290 before 2022) / Doblo (type 152 / 263)
RAM Pro Master (before 2022) / Pro Master City
The adapters are available on Electronic-Fuchs.de, Obdauto.fr, Gendan.co.uk, on Amazon and e-bay.
For the detailed description of the features, installation and use of the AlfaOBD for Windows see help which is also included into the download package.
The AlfaOBD for Android help is here (English) or here (German).
Browse vehicle-specific forums (like www.ramforum.com/ etc.) and youtube.com for the typical scenarios and user hints on the app usage on particular vehicle models.
For more information and support contact info@alfaobd.com
|