So I decided, with the latest release of the bm3 app for iOS, that I want the convenience of having an onboard, single board computer to run the bm3 OBD Agent software so I can flash and run the dashboard wirelessly from my iPhone. Like most of us here, I'm a tinkerer and thought it would be a fun project to build my own OBD Agent device. However, for those of you who would rather have something that works out of the box you can purchase one here (
https://www.protuningfreaks.com/coll...a-all-f-series)
First off let's talk required hardware...
RPi 3 B (DO NOT GET THE 3 B+ as the bm3 firmware does not support the latest RPi hardware) - $35.20 (
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Heat sink (optional)
case - $6.59 (
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
USB to Micro-USB connector patch cable - $7.95 for two (
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
16Gb micro-SD card - $6.95 (
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Software Requirements...
Follow instructions here and for the latest OBD Agent Firmware (
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...irmware+Update)
Useful Links
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...ardware+Device
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...roubleshooting
https://www.raspberrypi.org/
Once you have received the Micro SD card you need to copy the OBD Agent Image file to the card. Follow these steps.
Step-by-step guide
1. Download firmware from here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8uc616x8vo...81.img.gz?dl=0
2. Unzip the provided .gz file. On Windows you can use WinRAR or 7-zip software to extract the downloaded .gz file from the above link. On macOS in most cases it’ll just unzip automatically after downloading. Unzipped file will have a .img extension and the file will be just below 8 GB in size.
3. Write the .img file to the card. You can use Win32DiskImager (on Windows) or Etcher (on macOS), both free utilities:
Win32DiskImager:
https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/
Etcher:
https://etcher.io/
RPI Assembly and Installation Steps
1. Assemble the RPi PCBA into the case.
2. Insert Imaged SD card into SD card slot
3. Connect OBD/ENET cable to ENEt port on RPi, Connect Micro USB cord into the Micro USB port on RPi, and standard USB plug into the vehicles USB port
4. Set up phone hotspot with SSID bootmod3, password bootmod3
5. Turn on the ignition and wait for the phone to show hotspot connection
6. Launch the bm3 app to make sure app can read the vehicles VIN and shows a connection. (for connection troubleshooting click here
https://bootmod3.atlassian.net/wiki/...roubleshooting)
Once the OBD Agent is working it's time to mount it somewhere inconspicuous. Some people like to leave it in the center console or mount it under the steering column, but I choose to mount mine under the driver's seat for two reasons. I wanted to easily be able to remove it for dealer visits, and I didn't want it taking up space in the center console. These are the installation steps.
1. Run OBD/ENET cable from OBD port, under the door sill trim, and under the driver's seat.
2. Remove USB port trim panel in center console using a trim tool.
3. Run Micro USB/USB cord between the carpet and base of center console from the rear and up into the console cavity.
4. Pull USB cord up with enough length to plug into the port
5. Clip USB port trim panel back into place
5. Using Velcro tabs, attach RPi in case to the floor vent duct under the driver's seat
6. Make ENET and micro USB connections to the RPi unit and arrange cables to be out of the way.
7. Turn on ignition to ensure unit power on.
8. Check hotspot and bm3 OBD agent connection success.
DONE! Pics of the install below.
PRO TIP!! For iPhone and if you are doing this at your home garage, make sure your phone is disconnected from your home WiFi. Go to Settings - WiFI - Click the "i" beside the network you are connected to - click "Forget this network. Keep WiFi on as it needs to be on for hotspot to work.
PRO PRO Tip: Ok so I haven't verified this but it seems that it would work. I have an extra WiFi router so I'm going to use it to set up a new home network with SSID bootmod3 and password bootmod3. I should be able to connect my phone and OBD agent to this network and be able to flash without setting up the hotspot through my phone. I'll report back on if this works or not.