[mfish123]

I've been using the same OBD2 --> USB cable for about 3 years without issues. I haven't done any logging or flashing in a few months and just tried to connect to my car with MHD and XHP and neither will connect. When I attempt to connect the red light on the cable blinks a few times and only blinks green for a fraction of a second. Then the apps tell me they can't connect.

My phone (Samsung Galaxy S7) has had some updates since the last time I successfully connected but that's the only variable I can think of.

I know usually the cable is the culprit in these situations, but here is what I've tried and keep getting the same results

- Bought a new cheap ebay cable but it had good reviews and tried that. Is it possible my old cable "crapped out" and the new one is bad?
- Tried a new OTG adapter cable
- Broke out an old LG G2 android phone and got the same behavior with that phone (it is OTG capable)
- Have tried connecting with ignition on with both the engine running and not running
- Have waited about a minute after plugging cables into OBD2 port (after solid red light turns off) to try and connect
- wiped data and cache from MHD on both phones.
- uninstalled and re-installed MHD on both phones
- Did a full factory data reset on my Galaxy S7
- I have a basic OBD2 code scanner and that connects fine to my car
- I just had my car coincidentally inspected about a week ago and they had no problems connecting to my car

I'm stumped - Any suggestions?

[Silent9n54]

I would say buy a genuine tested cable, but you can also post in your local forum and find someone that was a working cable and test it. That way you know if the cable is good and you get to meet your local bmw enthusiasts ! win/win !
Have a good one

Originally Posted by mfish123

I've been using the same OBD2 --> USB cable for about 3 years without issues. I haven't done any logging or flashing in a few months and just tried to connect to my car with MHD and XHP and neither will connect. When I attempt to connect the red light on the cable blinks a few times and only blinks green for a fraction of a second. Then the apps tell me they can't connect.

My phone (Samsung Galaxy S7) has had some updates since the last time I successfully connected but that's the only variable I can think of.

I know usually the cable is the culprit in these situations, but here is what I've tried and keep getting the same results

- Bought a new cheap ebay cable but it had good reviews and tried that. Is it possible my old cable "crapped out" and the new one is bad?
- Tried a new OTG adapter cable
- Broke out an old LG G2 android phone and got the same behavior with that phone (it is OTG capable)
- Have tried connecting with ignition on with both the engine running and not running
- Have waited about a minute after plugging cables into OBD2 port (after solid red light turns off) to try and connect
- wiped data and cache from MHD on both phones.
- uninstalled and re-installed MHD on both phones
- Did a full factory data reset on my Galaxy S7
- I have a basic OBD2 code scanner and that connects fine to my car
- I just had my car coincidentally inspected about a week ago and they had no problems connecting to my car

I'm stumped - Any suggestions?

[TeinBMW]

Buy a better cable...also make sure you car is in the right on position..I have seen many complain that it wont connect but all they had to do was not press the brake and hit the ignition button. Hope that helps!

[mfish123]

Originally Posted by shanker604

I would say buy a genuine tested cable, but you can also post in your local forum and find someone that was a working cable and test it. That way you know if the cable is good and you get to meet your local bmw enthusiasts ! win/win !
Have a good one

That's a good idea. Meet a local enthusiast and confirm the cable is the issue before potentially throwing money down the toilet

[mfish123]

Originally Posted by TeinBMW

Buy a better cable...also make sure you car is in the right on position..I have seen many complain that it wont connect but all they had to do was not press the brake and hit the ignition button. Hope that helps!

Basically if my car is in park and I press the push to start button (without my foot on the brake) enough times to get the gas gauge to show how much is in the tank then I'm in the right "on" position, right?

[Silent9n54]

Originally Posted by mfish123

Basically if my car is in park and I press the push to start button (without my foot on the brake) enough times to get the gas gauge to show how much is in the tank then I'm in the right "on" position, right?

you are in the right position when the lights on the dash light up... not 1 or 2 but a bunch of lights

[TeinBMW]

Originally Posted by mfish123

Basically if my car is in park and I press the push to start button (without my foot on the brake) enough times to get the gas gauge to show how much is in the tank then I'm in the right "on" position, right?

lol oh boy.

1) Get in the car.
2) Plug in the OBDII cable.
3) Plug in the OTG cable.
4) Put the fob all the way in the ignition slot.
5) Push the ignition on ONCE WITHOUT hold the brake (very important). you do not want the car to be on as in running.
6) Plug in your phone to the OTG cable.
7) Should connect!
8) Once it connects, do not touch any buttons or open the doors/windows at all

If this doesn't work, buy a cable that has been proven. I hope this helps!

[mfish123]

It was the cable! Got the one from Bimmergeeks. Cable works perfectly.

Lesson: Ebay cables sometimes don't work out of the box or can fail even after working for a few years.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by mfish123

It was the cable! Got the one from Bimmergeeks. Cable works perfectly.

Lesson: Ebay cables sometimes don't work out of the box or can fail even after working for a few years.

Was going to chime in...it has to be the cable!
and you are quite experienced for new b mistakes.

derail, have read many of your posts on torque limit 4, did you resort to Xhp to get rid of it?