Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge Diagnostic Tool Appcar DiagFCA and OBD JScan App which is better? Any real difference between the two?
Here is the clue.
OBD JScan
OBD JScan is a smart phone app that when coupled with a wireless adapter give you the ability to read trouble code and other things, like many other available apps. What makes this app different is the fact that it allows you to make changes to the ECU and save them!
Using JSCAN you can change the size of the tires in the vehicles computer. It will then use the size you entered to calculate vehicle speed. Thus, compensating for the different size tires and displaying the correct speed on your speedometer.
The Jscan is a phone app that works well if you have no code issues; it is easy to use and convenient if out on the road and you need to check for any issues using the code reader and your phone; Jscan did change DRL settings with no problems, once I got rid of the B code errors; I did get a P0610 code error and the car went into limp mode when I tried to change the tire size.
JScan is good – very intuitive interface/menu and can read Jeep-specific codes. Handy with it as well being mobile.
JScan is purchased for each pcm vin number and thus won’t rewrite/change pcm vins.
Supported and tested OBD adapters:
- iCar Pro Bluetooth LE
- vLinker MC+
- vLinker MS
- OBD Link MX+
- vLinker FS
- vLinker MC+ (new style)
- OBD Link MX
- OBD Link LX
- iCar Vgate 3 Bluetooth
- iCar Vgate 2 Bluetooth
- iCar Vgate 2 WiFi
- iCar Pro WiFi
- iCar Vgate 3 WiFi
OBD Jscan does not work with cheap ELM327 obd2 adapters.
APPCAR DiagFCA
Appcar DiagFCA is a professional diagnostics & programming software for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles.
The software only works on windows laptops, currently there is no version for Android devices. The Appcar DiagFCA app is computer software and is a more in depth app which lists and able to adjust some of the bells and whistle extras in FCA cars ; Use your laptop in USB/ bluetooth mode with port com4 – standard serial over bluetooth and a Baud rate of 9600, which is what my laptop is set at; you can check the numbers from your computer’s DeviceManager; select “View devices by type”, then “Ports (COM & LPT)”.
Appcar FCA app is extensive and covers most of the extras on your Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge such as backup camera, heated seats, AC, all power options etc. It will do various things like fog lights with high beams, number of wipes on the rear wiper, enabling the USB ports when update the navi unit on the WK2, and reducing the sensitivity of the light sensor (so lights get automatically turned on when it is darker outside).
It’s more capable than JScan in terms of messing with parameters, but it’s also much MUCH easier to make a mistake and stuff something up royally.
List of recommended USB and Bluetooth devices:
- Vgate vLinker FS USB
- OBDLink EX USB
- OBDLink SX USB
- ELS27 USB
- ELM327 USB with CAN-HS/MS switch
- Vgate iCar2 Bluetooth
- Carista
- OBDLink MX Bluetooth
- OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth
JSCAN and AppCar FCA are the only apps that can change programming in the vehicles. Apps like Torque only read information from the vehicles computer and allow you to clear codes. If you’ve only got the one vehicle and you only want to get one app, get JSCAN. It can read every system in the vehicle and provide more information than Torque can, as well as allow you to change vehicle configuration.
Both devices have recommended wireless OBD2 adapters. Vgate icar pro is highly recommended by OBD Jscan, Appcar FCA and AlfaOBD.
The Vgate Icar Pro BLE 4.0 code reader works with both the OBD Jscan and the Appcar DiagFCA app.
If you get a Vgate, get the bluetooth version. Bluetooth and WiFi version both work, the bluetooth one just seems to work better, especially as a couple of the functions use the phones wireless to get information (vehicle PIN code) and the wireless version doesnt seem to be able to get the PIN information as well. Both require a strong wireless connection to obtain the PIN.
For FCA with security gateway modules, you need to connect with a high quality FCA 12+8 bypass adapter (for example Autel Chrysler 12+8 adapter).
*most of Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep cars 2017-2018+ will require bypass security gateway to allow any software modification. For looking you don’t even need the security bypass cable. For making changes, you do need the bypass cable.
Jeep Wrangler – JL/JT
Jeep Grand Cherokee – WK2 18+
Dodge Journey – 18+
Dodge Durango – 18+
Dodge Ram – 18+
Dodge Challenger – 18+
Which is better?
It looks like Appcar FCA has more functions and is very comprehensive when checking your car; The JSCAN phone app is very handy if you run into problems when out on the road.
If Appcar FCA had a phone app we would go. But if we just need to adjust the speedometer/tire size setting, the daytime running lights and resolve any codes or dash lights then JSCAN will work for us.
AlfaOBD is one price and you connect to any car it supports. DiagFCA & OBD JScan are pay for each vehicle you connect to. Functionality-wise, both are practically identical. For looking at settings or any codes, you only need the Bluetooth OBD adapter and JSCAN or AlfaOBD. AlfaOBD is a little tougher to use, not as intuitive in our opinion, although it has a lot of power. JSCAN is easier. AlfaObd doesnt have such nice look as Appcar diag, but is much more cheaper, no limited to vin, better vehicle coverage.
Pretty much all the common apps are can bus and the first minivan with can bus was 2008.
There are More comprehensive and expensive tools like Launch X431 that do several things with older pci/sci and ccd/sci systems.
Launch will change vin in pcm so it can work in a different vin skim equipped vehicle.