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Scan tool question

15835 Views 65 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  Marek K
My last car was a VW, and a company called Ross-Tech made a scan tool called VCDS, which basically emulates a dealer level scan tool. Is there any product like that available for Jeep/FCA?
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Yeah, that's it as I understand it. Supposedly the FCA security module is there so that the OBD system can't be hacked into, maybe wirelessly. I'm sure it's a fortunate byproduct for dealers that it's that much more difficult for owners to use their own scan tool.
You’re right. While in a Wrangler forum, someone shared this interesting article of exactly why FCA has installed these security devices...


I thought this kind of stuff happened in movies!
So here’s where the FCA security device is on a Wrangler...


This also explains the “Tazer” programmer (recalibrate you speedo, change TPMS threshold, etc). Not sure if it’s in the same location in the Renegade and I’m not sure if the Tazer works for Renegades, but a pretty neat device nonetheless!
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someone shared this interesting article of exactly why FCA has installed these security devices...
I scanned the article -- and while I didn't understand a lot of it, it was very interesting. I think I heard about that hacking research back then.

Not completely clear that the new security devices are related to this research, but I wouldn't be surprised... But this particular experiment was apparently done while physically plugged into the OBD system, and not wirelessly.
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I read through it all and watched the videos but though it is very informative and well presented in a knowledgeable manner I am still confused. 😲😵

A simple plug and play reader if such a thing exists will suffice for me
It’s definitely confusing (I’m still not out of the woods on this). Just re-read and it appears the Security Device is only on 2018+ years. What year is yours?
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I used BlueDriver for awhile on my Yukon (it can view and clear codes, but was a little limited , so I upgraded to an Innova and keep the BlueDriver in the truck at all times). I see it has certain capabilities on my ‘17 Renegade. You can input your vehicle here to see what it can and can not do....

Jason l I also seen that!

2015 Diesel Renegade and that led me immediately to thinking about compatibility issues. :cry::cry:

My Jeep is a diesel and not supported in the US or Canada :cry::cry::cry:
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OK, as the OP -- and after a year now of owning the 2021 Trailhawk -- and despite the vehicle still being under warranty -- I've just downloaded the PC version of AlfaOBD. Just because I want to know what's happening with my vehicles before taking them in for service.

Why the PC version? Because I've been used to the PC version of Ross-Tech VCDS for our VWs, which we still have. Sorry, I'm an old guy, and stuff like this on a smartphone is just too tough. ;)

I've also ordered
-- an OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter, and
-- a Z Automotive Security Gateway Bypass Module.

Note I decided not to get a 12 + 8 cable; at least not at this time.

As i get into this, I'll be asking you-all, who have experience with AlfaOBD, for help with the learning curve. (Or, anyone have any preliminary pointers?)

Meantime, I may decide in the future to get the Android smartphone version of AlfaOBD. I understand that would need a Bluetooth OBD scanner -- specifically OBDLink MX+. But that particular scanner costs about $180.

For our VWs, I've also had the Carista scan app for a long time, with a Carista Bluetooth OBD scanner:
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I believe that the Carista app would work with non-proprietary scanners; you don't necessarily need the Carista one I have.

So does anyone know whether AlfaOBD would also work with my Carista scanner?
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OK, so the OBDLink EX cable came today through Amazon. So I'm perusing the (AlfaOBD) documentation regarding that.

I'm confused about something already. It says that "No additional adapters are needed on [Jeep vehicles] when using OBDLink EX."

But then it says a "grey" adapter is required for the Jeep Renegade (and Fiat 500X), "for the access to the second high-speed CAN bus." And that it's available among others from Amazon. The "grey" adapter apparently looks like this, from the German electronic-fuchs.de:
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So do I need the "grey" adapter or don't I?

Because if so I can't find anything like that on Amazon. Where is it available?
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Ya, I fell for that "lie" as well. I have the OBDLink EX as well because it plainly says on the Alfa website what you just quoted below. That's completely false information. You do need the gray adapter if you want to perform the much-coveted proxy alignment. On my '17 Trail Hawk, during the proxy alignment it told me to connect the gray adapter halfway through the procedure. Rather then exit out of the procedure I just went ahead and completed it - after that my dash looked like Chevy Chase's house on Christmas Vacation - all lit up with all sorts of error messages.

It wasn't until I took delivery of the gray adapter was I able to complete the proxy alignment successfully.

I found mine on AliExpress - it's not on Amazon at all. It's on EBay as well, but they are only sold overseas (UK) and cost as much to ship the item as it does to purchase the item. The AliExpress "store" I purchased from had an option for "US Shipping" at the time, and it shipped from N.Y. so I got it in around a week.

I'm confused about something already. It says that "No additional adapters are needed on [Jeep vehicles] when using OBDLink EX."
Where is it available?
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You do need the gray adapter if you want to perform the much-coveted proxy alignment.
OK... Being rather new to the Renegade, what's a "proxy alignment"? I suppose I could look it up, but I'm too lazy. :)

I'm mainly interested in detailed fault analysis, erasing codes, and maybe recoding.

So what the hell does this adapter do? Is it just connected in-line with the OBDLink EX? If so, I can't see what it would do circuit-wise...

But just in case, I'll order the "grey" adapter too. Thanks for the AliExpress link. I assume I need the -- literally -- gray one there?

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Say you remove a CANBUS item on the vehicle like for instance the factory radio. The vehicle "talks" to the radio and realizes it is no longer there, so you then get the "flashing odometer" warning on your dash telling you the car is trying to talk to a component that it is supposed to have but, no longer does. I think you also need it if you try to change your tire size and get your speedometer to match correctly and a bunch of other stuff that I am not too familiar with. Someone else I'm sure could provide more info. The proxy alignment tells the car computer basically "don't worry about it everything is fine the item is no longer there". I'm not using technical jargon of course. lol

I think you can get away with everything you listed that you want to do without the need for that gray adapter. Again, I am not certain though.

Correct, the gray adapter sits between the OBDII plug and the Scan tool plug. Male into Female / female into male.

Yes, literally, the Gray colored adapter. The other colors are for accessing the UConnect system and other systems. Not sure which color for what though.



OK... Being rather new to the Renegade, what's a "proxy alignment"? I suppose I could look it up, but I'm too lazy. :)

I'm mainly interested in detailed fault analysis, erasing codes, and maybe recoding.

So what the hell does this adapter do? Is it just connected in-line with the OBDLink EX? If so, I can't see what it would do circuit-wise...

But just in case, I'll order the "grey" adapter too. Thanks for the AliExpress link. I assume I need the -- literally -- gray one there?
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I think you can get away with everything you listed that you want to do without the need for that gray adapter.
Well, I I'm going to order it anyway, just in case.

Correct, the gray adapter sits between the OBDII plug and the Scan tool plug.
Which bring me back to the question, what the hell does it do? If it's just passing-through the wires... Or does it actually crossover or change the signals? :unsure:

And how do you know when you're supposed to use it, and when the OBDLink EX cable is enough...? Or do you just use the "grey" adapter all the time...?

Yes, literally, the Gray colored adapter. The other colors are for accessing the UConnect system and other systems. Not sure which color for what though.
Interesting that the AliExpress page doesn't tell you which color is for what...

My next questions are going to be how and when to use the SGW Bypass Module...once that module gets here...

Man, this AlfaOBD stuff is a lot more complicated than VW's VCDS, at least as far as connections... And we're not even up to using the program itself... :rolleyes:
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Wow, this ordering through AliExpress from China just freaks me out. Took a couple tries to get it to work. And I wonder why they were charging me VAT?
I think the gray adapter has some pins "missing" that tells the OBDII plug that that particular adapter is now connected. The only time I've needed to use the gray adapter is for the Proxy Alignment. During that procedure it connects to some other computer system on the vehicle (I believe it's the brake system - someone can correct me if I am wrong). If I am NOT trying to complete a Proxy Alignment and I am just connecting to the Jeep's Body Computer, then I never need to connect the gray cable. It was only during the Proxy Alignment that I needed the gray cable.

I can't answer your SGW question since mine is a '17, and I don't need that at all since it's the "pre-security" Jeep.

My total from the Aliexpress link I sent you for that gray adapter was $13.55 shipped out the door. If you didn't select "US Shipping" that's probably why you got charged VAT. Now it will also take a little less than a month to get to you since it's coming from China instead of the week it took mine. I specifically ordered from that store I sent you because it had a US Shipping option - whereas the others did not. Go back and double check. Maybe it's not too late to cancel the order and order it correctly? ;)
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Well, I got an e-mail from AliExpress saying that my order "is awaiting payment completion." And when I try to pay again, it says the payment was refused.

There's an appeals process; but I need to send scanned images of my driver's license, the credit card itself, a credit card bill, and other documentation. Um, no, I don't think so.

Maye it was because it defaulted to being shipped from China. I saw a U.S. hipping option when i checked your link yesterday, but didn't see it when I was ordering today.

I think I'll cancel that order, and start again...

* edit * OK, I tried it again, this time shipping "from the United States." Delivery was supposed to be by 24 May, so about a month.

But the payment failed again.

OK, I give up on AliExpress.

I do see this "grey" adapter on eBay, but like you say from the UK for $15.33 plus $14.13 shipping.

Any other ideas where I can find this "grey" adapter?
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I'm trying to order a Radio from there for my friend, under my account with his shipping and C.C. information and it's failing as well. I have gotten the same thing with the appeals process. I've done this exact thing before for someone else and there wasn't any issue with placing the order with his shipping and CC info - maybe there is some strange things going on with the site?
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Well, I just tried ordering the "grey" cable on eBay from the UK. Came back that my "payment didn't go through." So maybe there's something else going on...
OK, I found out why the eBay order from the UK "payment didn't go through." I subsequently got several automated calls from my credit card bank (USAA), that the charge had been declined -- they verified that it was to an eBay vendor in London. I confirmed with the bank that I'd made the charge, and they responded that my card wasn't blocked; and that I could contact the vendor again to place the order.

Meantime, I've gotten an e-mail from AliExpress, that "Your payment was successful!" And then later, that they were still awaiting payment for the same order. So weird things happening in the international at the adapter should be shipped within seven days. I assume the initial order, from China.

So I have no idea what's happening with these international transactions. 😕 I guess I'll wait and see whether the AliExpress order is shipped; and if not, then I'll re-order from the UK...
Ya, I fell for that "lie" as well. I have the OBDLink EX as well because it plainly says on the Alfa website what you just quoted below. That's completely false information. You do need the gray adapter if you want to perform the much-coveted proxy alignment...
I agree that the AlfaOBD website is confusing, but it does clearly say in two separate places that the grey cable is required for the Renegade.
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