For car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics, having a reliable OBDII scan tool is essential for diagnostics and performance monitoring. The Bafx Products Bluetooth Obdii Scan Tool has garnered positive reviews for its compatibility and solid connection, making it a popular choice. However, like many OBDII adapters, it typically draws power continuously from your vehicle’s battery, even when the ignition is off. This constant draw can potentially lead to battery drain over time, especially if your vehicle sits for extended periods.
This guide provides a straightforward, step-by-step method to modify your BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool to operate on switched 12V power. This means the adapter will only be powered when your car is on or in accessory mode, eliminating the risk of unwanted battery drain. This modification is simple, takes minimal time, and requires only basic tools.
Why Switch to Switched Power for Your OBDII Scan Tool?
Modern vehicles provide constant power to the OBDII port, which is convenient for maintaining memory functions and allowing for diagnostics even when the car is off. However, when you leave devices like Bluetooth OBDII scan tools plugged in, they continue to draw power. While the draw is typically small, it can accumulate over time, especially if your car is not driven frequently or if your battery is older.
Switching your BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool to switched power offers several key advantages:
- Prevents Battery Drain: The most significant benefit is eliminating the parasitic battery drain caused by the constantly powered adapter. This is particularly important for vehicles that are not driven daily or in colder climates where battery performance can be reduced.
- Peace of Mind: You can leave your scan tool plugged in without worrying about it draining your battery, offering greater convenience and ensuring your vehicle is ready to start when you need it.
- Extended Battery Life: By reducing unnecessary drain, you can potentially extend the lifespan of your car’s battery.
This modification ensures that your BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool is only active and drawing power when your vehicle is running, providing efficient and safe operation.
Step-by-Step Modification Guide
Modifying your BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool for switched power is a simple process that can be completed in about 15 minutes. Here’s what you’ll need and how to do it:
Tools You’ll Need:
- Small Phillips head screwdriver
Safety First!
While this modification is straightforward, always exercise caution when working with electronic devices. Ensure your vehicle is turned off before beginning this modification.
Step 1: Accessing the Internals
The first step is to open the BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool casing. Locate the blue label on the adapter. Beneath this label, you will find four small Phillips head screws. Carefully peel off the adhesive label to expose these screws. Use your Phillips head screwdriver to remove all four screws.
Step 2: Disconnecting the Internal Connector
Once the screws are removed, gently separate the two halves of the adapter casing. Inside, you’ll see a small white connector linking the OBDII connector to the main circuit board (PC Board). Carefully unplug this white connector from the PC Board. This disconnects the OBDII port from the internal electronics, making the next step easier.
Step 3: Removing the OBDII Connector Assembly
With the white connector unplugged, you can now lift the entire OBDII connector assembly out of the adapter’s shell. This provides easy access to the pins on the connector for the next crucial step – wire relocation.
Step 4: Wire Relocation – The Key to Switched Power
This is the core of the modification. We need to move the wire that provides constant 12V power to a pin that receives switched 12V power.
- Identifying Pin 16 (Constant 12V): Pin 16 is the pin that currently provides constant 12V power. On the OBDII connector, Pin 16 is typically located at the top left when you are looking at the connector with the clip at the top.
- Identifying Pin 8 (Switched ACC 12V): Pin 8 is a switched 12V power source, meaning it only receives power when the car is turned on or in accessory mode. Pin 8 is generally located on the bottom left, directly below Pin 16.
Carefully move the wire from pin 16 to pin 8. In many cases, there’s enough slack in the wire to simply move it over. Ensure the wire is securely inserted into pin 8.
Step 5: Reassembly of the Connector
Place the OBDII connector assembly back into the adapter shell. Reconnect the white connector to the PC Board, ensuring it is firmly plugged in.
Step 6: Closing the Case
Carefully reassemble the two halves of the adapter casing. Align the two halves and gently press them together. Be mindful of the five LEDs on the circuit board to avoid bending or damaging them as you close the case. Once the case is closed, re-insert and tighten the four Phillips head screws.
Step 7: Testing Your Modified Scan Tool
At this point, you can choose to reapply the blue label or leave it off. The modification is now complete. Plug your modified BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool back into your vehicle’s OBDII port and test its functionality. It should now only power on when your car’s ignition is turned on or in accessory mode. Verify that it connects with your preferred OBDII app, such as Turbo3’s app, and functions as expected.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully modified your BAFX Products Bluetooth OBDII scan tool to operate on switched power. This simple modification ensures that your scan tool is only powered when needed, preventing battery drain and offering peace of mind. Enjoy the enhanced convenience and battery-saving benefits of your modified Bluetooth OBDII adapter during your future automotive diagnostics and monitoring tasks.
