Diagnostics of Lada Kalina via laptop: programs, connection, nuances

All modern cars have a large number of different functions, and their engines are complex elements with a bunch of different electronics, which are responsible for the proper operation of the entire car. Of course, new technologies have allowed the automotive industry to move far forward, and have also reduced emissions of pollutants into the environment and reduced fuel consumption. Lada Kalina meets all modern requirements and has a large range of functions.

But everything is not always so smooth and it happens that cars break down and it is quite difficult to find a breakdown in such a car on your own without the help of a specialist. Diagnostics at a service station will cost a lot of money and not everyone can afford this procedure.

This article just talks about cheap ways to independently diagnose the Lada Kalina using the Chinese ELM 327 scanner device.

Lada Kalina diagnostic connector

The diagnostic connector in Lada cars is called OBD and is standard for many car brands. In the first injection models of Lada, such as the VAZ 2110, etc. The first generation OBD connector, the so-called OBD-1, was used. Modern cars, such as the Lada Kalina, use a modern OBD-2 connector. The modern connector differs from its predecessor in speed of operation and speed of data transfer, as well as in that it is universal.

1⃣ The cheapest and most popular scanner

ELM 327 on PIC18F25K80 chip version 1.5 OBD2/OBDII Bluetooth for Android. Price: from 462 rubles. BUY

Auto diagnostics in a somewhat stripped down version. Quite suitable for a novice car enthusiast. The scanner reads and resets errors, reads the main parameters of the engine in real time. It can also read variator parameters. Works with a smartphone via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Important! You need to buy the ELM adapter version 1.5. Version 2.1 due to the use of a cheaper chip it will not work normally.

Types of diagnostics

There are several different types and methods for diagnosing Lada Kalina.

• Using the dashboard;
• At the technical station service;
• Using the ELM-327 device;

Diagnostics on the dashboard

This type of diagnosis is quite common, but has a large number of disadvantages. With this method of identifying errors in a car, you will not be able to detect the cause of the breakdown. The instrument panel only displays a combination of numbers, supposedly with an error code, but, as a rule, such diagnostics have a high error and are often mistaken.

Diagnostics at a service station

This type of diagnosis is one of the most correct. During diagnostics at the station, a special professional device is connected to your car, which accurately determines the breakdown in your car. The big disadvantage of this method is its cost; craftsmen charge more than 1,000 rubles for their work just for one connection of the device to the car.

Diagnostics using ELM-327

Chinese craftsmen were able to make a device that is barely larger than the size of a matchbox, and whose functions are practically not inferior to a more expensive professional scanner. Since the OBD-2 connector is widely used, the ELM-327 scanner is suitable for many cars.

Hello everyone! With the purchase of Kalina, I immediately discovered that the “CHECK” light did not light up... Either it had burned out, or it was burning with a bright flame and it was simply unsoldered before sale...

Of course, I didn’t want to pay 500 rubles for diagnostics.
Therefore, it was decided to order a scanner for self-diagnosis for 370 rubles from Aliexpress for 376 rubles (by the way, this scanner now costs 369 rubles).
I was afraid that problems would arise. The first problem is that many users complain that this scanner does not find it on Kalina. I don’t know what the problem is - I found it almost immediately. The second problem is that I have a grant tunnel, which means where the previous owner hid this harness - only he knows...

I decided not to immediately remove the entire tunnel, but just lift the gearbox cover... and lo and behold! That's right there! At home I downloaded reading and diagnostic programs for my Android phone. I plug in the scanner and put it away. I turn on Bluetooth... But the scanner is not visible on the phone... Then we perform the same operation. We take out the scanner. Turn on Bluetooth on your phone in search mode. Immediately put the scanner back and turn the key in the ignition. VOILA!

Another problem was solved immediately - the scanner can be left constantly connected! Power comes to it from the ignition switch!

As a pleasant surprise, I found a cigarette lighter splitter with 2 cigarette lighter sockets and 2 USB connectors. And I’m racking my brains about where to connect the recorder, radar detector, navigator and phone charger at the same time...

And so now about testing the programs themselves, because... It is important to read all the information, and all applications for Android phones cannot boast of this.

I pumped up 6 programs for myself.

The most informative, Russified, understandable and accurate is OpenDiag. He immediately determined which car, which firmware version, which brains, a bunch of sensors, immediately found 3 errors (unlike the others, where he showed 1-2 errors).

Torque (Lite version) is not a clear thing at all... Everything is in English, what graphics are, nothing is clear, I found 1 error...

In short, I recommend OpenDiag. It also has a soundtrack. )))

Good luck to everyone on the roads, good mood and everything super!

Types of equipment used to check LADA

A list of diagnostic devices used not only in specialized car services, but independently, for example, in a garage. • Odometer correctors, with setting mileage values; • Models that support protocols, by reading information, erasing errors, codes are deciphered: ELM327 USB / Bluetooth / Wi-Fi running on the elm327 chip; • Vag adapter (cable) for later versions of the ECU and 12 pin pads; • Testers whose work is organized on the basis of oscilloscopes.

Engine control unit Lada Kalina

The capabilities of autodiagnostics depend on the type and brand of the ECU (electronic control unit, ECU). The type of ECU depends on the year of manufacture of the car and the engine (environmental friendliness and engine number).

On Kalina 1, 2 cars the following are most often installed:

• Engine 21116 - ECU M74
• Engine 21126 - ECU Bosch Me17.9.7 or M75 (with or without CAN bus).
• Engine 21127 - ECU M74 - 638 (analogue of M74 with a modified board).
• January and Itelma ECUs were installed on cars until 2008.

The ECU of the Lada Kalina is located under the central panel, and in order to view the number and type of the ECU, the ECU should be removed (lift the panel).

Engine control units, in turn, have a certain firmware, but for diagnostics via the OBD2 connector, only the presence of a CAN bus is affected. If you have CAN, you must select an appropriate diagnostic adapter that supports this protocol.

IMPORTANT: If ECUs without CAN bus support are installed, you must use the KKL VAG adapter.

It is recommended to carry out ECU diagnostics once every 10,000 km, or every maintenance. The example shows a Bosch unit with firmware b173CR03 (serial firmware) without CAN.

Briefly about ECU firmware:

Flashing (reflashing) the Bosch Me17.9.7 control unit on VAZ cars is only possible using a K-Line adapter, which supports data transfer via the corresponding bus.

Two months ago I came across an advertisement for the sale of an ELM327 bluetooth scanner for 400 rubles. When the seller asked about the version, he stated that the adapter was v1.5. When I bought it, I took my word for it, I didn’t check it, and as it turned out later, I bought the adapter version 2.1. Oh, I’ve had a lot of trouble with it... It connects “according to my mood”, once on the highway the check light came on, the car stalled, it’s a long way from home, I thought: “Let me at least use a scanner to see what’s wrong.” It wasn’t there, I danced with tambourines for about twenty minutes, but I still couldn’t connect to the computer.

I have long caught myself thinking that I need to purchase at least one more ELM327, only version 1.5. But in our city they don’t sell them anywhere, ordering from China is a pig in a poke, maybe v2.1 will arrive again under the guise of v1.5, but today I came across the sale of an ELM327 scanner, but this time USB. The seller said that this scanner is “friendly” with our cars, he used it in the past on a “ten” and a Niva-Chevrolet, and is selling it due to the purchase of a new K-line scanner. The chance is rare in our small town - we have to take it. It’s 12 o’clock at night, I drove up to the seller, they sat down with me in Kalina and started testing the device through the Open Diag program on a smartphone. It connected quickly, shows everything, sees everything, overall I'm happy. At the same time, we tested the K-line scanner on my Kalina. This is certainly a thing, compared to the ELM327! It reads the parameters instantly, the dynamics of the readings are excellent, plus you can already “upload” the firmware through it.

Now directly to the characteristics of the Vgate ELM327 OBD scan usb.

Main features of the scanner:

•Read and view all fault codes; •Diagnostics of the engine and fuel system; •Diagnostics of all car electronics; •Identification of faulty sensors; •Reset errors (Check engine).

The adapter also allows you to view the following parameters:

•Engine speed; •Coolant temperature; •Short-term fuel balancing; •Long-term fuel balancing; •Pressure in the intake manifold; •Oxygen sensor data; •Engine speed; •Engine load; •Condition of the fuel system; •Vehicle speed; •Absolute air pressure; •Ignition advance; •Intake air temperature; •Mass air flow; •Throttle position; •Graphical display of parameters; •Logging function; •Freeze.

OBD II protocol support:

•ISO15765-4 (CAN): Audi, Opel, VW, Ford, Jaguar, Renault, Peugeot, Chrysler, Porsche, Volvo, Saab, Mazda, Mitsubishi, etc.; •ISO14230-4 (KWP2000): Daewoo, Hyundai, KIA, etc.; •ISO9141-2: VAZ, GAZ, Honda, Infinity, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, etc.; •J1850 VPW: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, GM, Isuzu; •J1850 PWM: Ford, Lincoln, Mazda.

In general, always check what you buy, especially in person! Better yet, take K-line instead of ELM327, I assure you, you won’t regret it!

To independently carry out computer diagnostics of the Lada Kalina via a laptop or smartphone, just connect to the OBD2 connector with a diagnostic adapter and a car scanner. In 90% of cases, comp. Auto diagnostics boils down to reading data from the ECU, but not every driver knows how to do this correctly.

This manual describes in detail the process of connecting to the “brains” of the car, including which auto scanner and program to choose. In the article you will find many useful links to more detailed instructions and site materials.

Author of the site elm327-obd2.ru

4⃣ The best scanner for the VAG concern (Audi, VW, Scoda, Seat)

VCDS VAGCOM 12.12 VCDS HEX+CAN OBD2. Price: from 1068 rubles. BUY

Diagnostic scanner USB OBD2 dealer level for VAG

(Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat, Porsche). Car database on disk up to 2014. The diagnostic cord reads all blocks on the VAG, makes any adaptations and reprogramming. Connects via USB via laptop.

5⃣ Universal multi-brand scanner

Autel MAXIDAS DS808 OBD2. Price: from 48,600 rubles. BUY

Multi-brand diagnostic tool for professional diagnosticians and car repair shops. It diagnoses well all brands of cars, including premium ones. Comes complete with a 7 inch tablet.

Engine control unit Lada Kalina

The capabilities of autodiagnostics depend on the type and brand of the ECU (electronic control unit, ECU). The type of ECU depends on the year of manufacture of the car and the engine (environmental friendliness and engine number).

On Kalina 1, 2 cars the following are most often installed:

• Engine 21116 - ECU M74
• Engine 21126 - ECU Bosch Me17.9.7 or M75 (with or without CAN bus).
• Engine 21127 - ECU M74 - 638 (analogue of M74 with a modified board).
• January and Itelma ECUs were installed on cars until 2008.

The ECU of the Lada Kalina is located under the central panel, and in order to view the number and type of the ECU, the ECU should be removed (lift the panel).

Engine control units, in turn, have a certain firmware, but for diagnostics via the OBD2 connector, only the presence of a CAN bus is affected. If you have CAN, you must select an appropriate diagnostic adapter that supports this protocol.

IMPORTANT: If ECUs without CAN bus support are installed, you must use the KKL VAG adapter.

It is recommended to carry out ECU diagnostics once every 10,000 km, or every maintenance. The example shows a Bosch unit with firmware b173CR03 (serial firmware) without CAN.

Briefly about ECU firmware:

Flashing (reflashing) the Bosch Me17.9.7 control unit on VAZ cars is only possible using a K-Line adapter, which supports data transfer via the corresponding bus.

Methods for determining fault codes on Lada Kalina and ECU firmware

Self-diagnosis

On Kalina, the ECM with a BOSCH controller has built-in self-diagnosis that detects malfunctions. The ECM detects the problem, then the “Check Engine” light comes on and the error identification begins. Then the code is saved in memory and shown on the dashboard.

Did the Check Engine light come on on your Lada Kalina?

Detailed article on the causes of Check Engine and how to clear the Check. If your Check Engine light comes on, read this article immediately. The material explains what a Check Engine is, what to do if it appears, and how to remove this error yourself.

The best inexpensive amateur car scanners

Strictly speaking, the name ELM327, used by numerous Chinese manufacturers for their cheap diagnostic devices, is illegitimate - this designation belongs to a specific American company that first developed an interface for converting various automotive communication protocols into a set of standard serial port commands, devices common on the market are its unlicensed copies.

Depending on the hardware implementation, the Chinese interface can have both a USB connection (such a device is recognized in the system as a virtual COM port) and a Bluetooth wireless interface. Recently, devices with a WiFi module have become widespread, but despite active advertising promising high data transfer speeds, in reality they are less functional6 most programs are designed specifically for virtual COM ports implemented via USB or Bluetooth.

The popularity of Chinese clones of the ELM327 car scanner is ensured not only by the low price, but also by the prevalence of free, cheap or hacked programs for various platforms: smartphone owners usually use Torque, for owners of domestic cars there is a regularly updated OpenDiag program (one of the few cases when the ELM327 can really be used for serious diagnostics).

• The most affordable price of all diagnostic devices.
• Availability of programs for Windows, Android and iOS.
• Most models are compact and have a wireless connection.

• The efficiency of the scanner depends on the software used to communicate with the ELM327, the vast majority of which are amateur-level programs.
• It cannot be used for adaptations or recoding of control units; it “sees” a minimum of devices (usually only the injection controller).

How to use

Before purchasing an adapter, make sure it is compatible with your car. After purchasing the adapter, it is important to correctly connect the scanner to the connector. As a rule, the OBD 2 connector is located in the passenger compartment under the dashboard. Models before 2006 usually have a 12 pin connector (GM), and to connect the scanner you will need a 16 pin adapter.

Information on the location of the connectors is presented in the table and photo below.

Location of diagnostic connectors and recommended auto scanners:

Location of connectors on some vehicles:

conclusions

So, diagnosing and correcting errors on the Lada Kalina is not so difficult. You just have to carefully follow the step-by-step instructions and everything will work out. Thus, the car will lose all errors, and the warning lights on the instrument panel will be reset, and the car enthusiast will learn fully about the problems that he has in the car.

Any car owner has probably encountered incorrect behavior of a car. Even if the malfunction indicator lamps on the dashboard do not light up, the car can ruin the owner’s life with poor starting, floating idle speed or excessive fuel consumption. But if earlier the owner, having mentioned someone’s mother, habitually climbed under the hood to adjust the carburetor, then on modern cars everything is somewhat more complicated. A good diagnostic scanner is required to detect faults.

How to decipher errors?

During testing, fault codes on the Lada on-board computer are displayed in four-digit form. In this case, the error itself is usually preceded by a letter.

Designation of the first character that appears in the code:

The second symbol in the combination means:

The symbol that comes third in the combination determines the type of breakdown:

The 24 Hours channel talked about the verification and decoding of the resulting combinations.

Self-diagnosis

When performing independent testing, the ECU will generate errors in a clear code; their interpretation can be seen in the table.

EMUR malfunctions

Lada Kalina cars are equipped with an electromechanical power steering wheel. If malfunctions occur in the operation of this system, they are displayed with the index C.

The interpretation of errors in the operation of EMUR is presented in the table.

Error codes on Lada Kalina: on-board computer self-diagnosis and decoding

Lada Kalina is already equipped from the factory with a special on-board computer mounted directly into the instrument panel. Thanks to this, you can react as quickly as possible and diagnose the problem that has arisen. There is a self-diagnosis mode for this. Unless the previous owner was motivated by selfish goals and “turned out” these light bulbs, in which case they need to be replaced.

Errors are shown as a digital code and in this article we will tell you how to read them correctly and make the right decision.

Decoding combinations

Below we will look at the decoding of error codes. We will not consider all codes: only the most common combinations that indicate a breakdown are given.

Self-diagnosis

When the instrument panel enters self-diagnosis mode, all arrows on it will show the maximum value and drop back down

So, what codes can be seen when self-diagnosing Lada Kalina.

Diagnostics using equipment

Error number “4” that appears during self-diagnosis of Lada Kalina

If you check your car for errors using special equipment, then, as stated above, the combinations will be four-digit, and the code will be preceded by a letter.

First, let's look at what the letters and numbers mean.

What does the second number mean:

The third symbol directly indicates the type of malfunction:

Check Engine Light - starts flashing on the dashboard when any problems occur