Reddit reviews GXG-1987 WiFi Wireless OBD-II Mini OBD2 Auto Car Diagnostic Scanner Tool Adapter Reader Scan Code Tester for iPhone 6S 5 iPad4 iPod mini iOS PC Windows, Android Device

For like $12 on Amazon. They're great. https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Diagnostic-Scanner-Adapter-Windows/dp/B00B3K2X4M

For those who aren't aware you just need a bluetooth OBDII dongle to use the Torque/Torque Pro app with any android phone or tablet. For example, lots of folks find that this cheap one works great: http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bluetooth-diagnostics-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS.

Similar IOS apps require a wifi rather than bluetooth dongle, such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3K2X4M/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687602&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00AOIM2CC&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0R28R3007FHNY5Q2RS73

I turned mine off a few years ago using a guide found on Prius Chat. I have a 2013 model (gen 3). The OBDII dongle - I got the wi-fi kind - was $15 on Amazon. The app I used to connect to it was Engine Link, which is an iOS app (Was $5 at that time). While I was at it, I also turned off the seat-belt reminder ding.

and Coding is super simple on those cars if you have an iPhone/iPad/Android device! Just download (and pay for) bmwhat Android or iOS. Then order This from amazon or eBay. You can seriously code your car in 20min by pressing buttons. Only module I can't seem to use is the Alarm one with that adapter (i'm sure if you buy bmwhat's adapter it'll allow you to use it)

I bought this one

GXG-1987 WiFi Wireless OBD-II Mini OBD2 Auto Car Diagnostic Scanner Tool Adapter Reader Scan Code Tester for iPhone 6S 5 iPad4 iPod mini iOS PC Windows, Android Device https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3K2X4M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_Sm5Izb3NJ563T

Works great with my 2014 Five.

For apps I use the Carista app. And the DashCommand app.

Since i have an iOS device i picked up this guy

Then got EngineLink off the app store

All cars from the mid-90s and up have OBD 2. All the device does is essentially act as a translator to the car's OBD 2 and your device.


http://www.amazon.com/ieGeek®-Wireless-Scanner-Adapter-iPhone/dp/B00B3K2X4M

You can use either a laptop or smartphone/tablet. Don't know if that specific reader above will work, but that's the type of device.

Edit: if you do go the smartphone/tablet route it goes without saying that the included CD won't work. You need to download an OBD 2 reader app. A good one is DashCommand, and it's $10 in the App Store.

Edit 2: Here it is in action. 2 minutes, top.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyXKRFwIOtQ&app=desktop

Don't let the wires deter you. It looks like he has that permanently mounted and those are power and audio cables. The OBD reader is still operating wirelessly.

http://www.amazon.com/ieGeek%C2%AE-Wireless-Scanner-Adapter-iPhone/dp/B00B3K2X4M

Oops!

Someone posted a 13 dollar one further down in the thread
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Diagnostic-Scanner-Adapter-Windows/dp/B00B3K2X4M

If you have a smartphone I would recommend a wireless OBII scanner!. I can't speak for this particular model, but mostly they're all cheap and do an OK job.

I would get some sort of universal emergency kit, such as a JustinCase! or something similar. You will probably never use it, but it is great to have when you do need it. It's also small and compact so it won't take up much space. You can also fit a few more basic tools in this bag if you wished.

I would also recommend having an envelope with your insurance, registration, and possibly a photocopy of your license(I forget my wallet often and it's nice to have a copy just in case). You can laminate these if you so wish. You wont lose your important stuff and it wont get ruined either!

I would also recommend doing your own maintenance on your car. You get to learn a little more how it works and best of all you save money! Youtube has many videos on basic car maintenance. If you ever do more complex work I would recommend picking up a Haynes or Chilton repair manual for your vehicle.

I went from literally knowing nothing about cars to rebuilding engines. I'm not a mechanic and don't make any money from this. I just value being able to fix something myself. It takes time, but a great way to get started is to learn how engines work on youtube or whatever. Once you have a general understanding of how an engine works you can diagnose problems much more easily.

Like you said, I would check for vacuum leaks and if your exhaust is loud maybe you have an exhaust manifold leak. Also test fuel pressure and make sure your pump or regulator isn't starting to give out. I had a similar problem on my e90 and it took forever to figure out the problem.

As for the shifting, sounds like a clutch issue.

Edit: invest in one of these, it links directly to my phone or tablet. I use the BMWhat software, but if you have an Android device you need to use the Bluetooth version of the adapter not the wifi version.

ieGeek® WIFI Wireless OBD2 Auto Scanner Adapter Scan Tool for iPhone iPad iPod

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3K2X4M/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_.ajtub1NSX5J2

Edit 2: Shit just realized you have a 94. The above device won't work for you. Sorry about that.

Here is what your looking for.

https://imgur.com/a/HFUgH

$16 on Amazon right now.
ieGeek WiFi Wireless OBD-II Mini ELM327

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3K2X4M

EDIT: Fixed Amazon mobile link.

The price went up, but this is the one that I bought. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3K2X4M/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1425909327&sr=1&keywords=wifi+adapter

iPhone's use wifi-adapters, while androids use Bluetooth.

If you're interested you can buy an OBD scanner for ~$10 that bluetooths to your phone and read the code. It might give you some insight to why it's triggering the check engine light. I have this one, but you can get them even cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3K2X4M/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_AtkFub0NPCXN4

This is the one I have. It's prime-able, there are also ones not. There are a bunch of other ones too. But I have been happy with this one. The app I use is called Torque, there is a free version and a paid version.

If it were only as easy as pulling a code..

I picked up an ELM 327 from Amazon 3 years ago and it's served my purposes fairly well (aside from connection lag in iOS), but it can't read or reset codes for anything but the ECM. I pop down to the parts shop to look at BCM codes.

link: https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Diagnostic-Scanner-Adapter-Windows/dp/B00B3K2X4M/ref=pd_sim_263_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D9PVMM5GYATA4CGQ6ACV

https://www.amazon.com/ieGeek-Wireless-Diagnostic-Scanner-Adapter/dp/B00B3K2X4M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1467249895&sr=8-5&keywords=obd+2+wifi

It will work with any obd2 device, but not guaranteed. I was able to get everything but security and another module to code with mine. I'm able to diagnose and clear codes so I'm happy with it.

OBD 2 over Wifi

The app is "Rev", but I've also been fiddling with "DashCommand".