CEH Scanner

CheckEngineHelp Scanner v1

Purpose-built OBD-II diagnostic module with J2534-compliant interface, multi-protocol support (CAN, CAN FD, J1850, ISO 9141, K-Line, DoIP), integrated precision ADC for voltage measurement, Wi-Fi + BLE connectivity. Works with the CheckEngineHelp app for guided diagnostics, wire routing visualization, troubleshooting flowcharts, and live data.

$199.00
One-time device purchase
Works out of the box as a code reader. Unlock advanced features with a Pro ($9.99/mo) or Scanner ($29.99/mo) subscription.
🔌

CEH Scanner V1

Firmware 1.0.0

Technical Specifications

⚡ Processing & Connectivity

MCU ESP32-S3 (dual-core 240MHz, Wi-Fi + BLE 5.0)
SRAM / Flash 520 KB SRAM, 4 MB on-board QSPI flash
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz (CYW43439 radio)
Bluetooth BLE 5.2 (CYW43439)
USB USB-C (J2534 pass-through + battery charging)
Co-processors 8× PIO state machines, DMA, Arm TrustZone
Storage microSD slot (up to 32 GB) for data logging, configs, firmware

🔌 Vehicle Protocols

CAN Bus ISO 11898 — 250/500 kbps, dual-channel (MCP2515 + MCP2551)
CAN FD ISO 11898-1:2015 — data phase up to 5 Mbps
J1850 VPW SAE J1850 — GM vehicles (10.4 kbps)
J1850 PWM SAE J1850 — Ford vehicles (41.6 kbps)
ISO 9141-2 K-Line — European/Asian vehicles (10.4 kbps)
ISO 14230 KWP2000 — Enhanced K-Line diagnostics
LIN Bus ISO 17987 — Body electronics, seat motors, mirrors

📈 Analog Measurement

ADC ADS1115 — 16-bit, 4-channel
Voltage Range 0–65V (via voltage divider)
Sample Rate 860 SPS max
Accuracy ±0.01% FSR
Battery Monitor Real-time vehicle voltage tracking
External Sensors Aux input header for wideband O2, EGT, boost pressure

🛠 Physical

Connector Standard OBD-II (SAE J1962) male
Enclosure ABS plastic, 85×55×25mm
Battery LiFePO4 18650 — 3.2 V / 1800 mAh (5.76 Wh), 2000+ cycles
Charging TP4056 USB-C module — 5 V / 1 A, auto-switches OBD→USB→battery
Power Sources ① OBD-II 12 V ② USB-C 5 V ③ On-board battery
microSD Push-push microSD slot, FAT32, up to 32 GB
Protection Reverse polarity, 42 V transient, ESD 15 kV
Operating Temp -20°C to +65°C (battery) / -40°C to +85°C (MCU)
LEDs 4× status (power, vehicle link, data activity, battery)

Advanced Capabilities

Professional-grade features that typically require multiple separate devices, built into one. No separate gauge, no external display, no adapter cables.

🎮 Real-Time Gauge Mode

Stream live data as configurable gauges on your phone or tablet. Assign any PID to any gauge slot. Radial, bar, digital, or graph layout. Up to 8 simultaneous gauges updating at 10 Hz.

Gauge TypesRadial sweep, linear bar, digital readout, time-series graph
PID AssignmentDrag-and-drop any OBD-II or manufacturer PID to any gauge slot
Refresh RateUp to 10 Hz per gauge (CAN bus), 2 Hz (legacy protocols)
LayoutsSave custom dashboard layouts, switch between presets
AlertsConfigurable high/low thresholds with audible + visual warnings

Standalone OBD-II gauge displays typically cost $300–$600 and support a limited number of PIDs. The CEH Scanner turns your existing phone into a full gauge cluster with unlimited PIDs.

⏱ Performance Testing

Built-in accelerometer-free performance measurement using GPS + OBD-II speed data. Quarter-mile timer, 0-60 mph, 60-130 mph, and custom interval runs with weather-corrected results.

1/4 Mile TimerET + trap speed, reaction time, 60-ft time
0-60 mphGPS-corrected with rollout compensation
Custom IntervalsAny speed-to-speed run (e.g., 30-50, 60-130)
Data OverlayRPM, boost, AFR, and throttle position during the run
HistorySave and compare runs with timestamps, weather, DA correction

No extra hardware needed, no phone mount accelerometers to calibrate. OBD-II vehicle speed + phone GPS = accurate, repeatable results.

📊 Data Logger

Record any combination of PIDs at up to 50 Hz to the on-board microSD card or stream directly to the companion app. Export as CSV, JSON, or share sessions to the cloud.

On-Device StoragemicroSD (up to 32 GB) with timestamped session files
Wireless StreamReal-time data stream to companion app over Wi-Fi/BLE
Export FormatsCSV (spreadsheet), JSON (API), MegaLogViewer compatible
Auto-Log ModeStart recording automatically when RPM > 0 (configurable)
Session ReviewPlayback logged data with synchronized multi-gauge display

Professional standalone data loggers require a laptop tethered via USB and can cost $500+. The CEH Scanner does the same multi-channel logging wirelessly to your phone, with AI-enhanced analysis. No laptop in the passenger seat required.

📚 Manufacturer PID Libraries

Beyond generic OBD-II Mode 01 PIDs, the CEH Scanner includes manufacturer-specific PID databases for deep vehicle access. Updated with every firmware release.

Ford Gas (2008+)Cylinder contribution, misfire count, VCT position, turbo boost target vs. actual
Ford DieselInjection timing, rail pressure, DPF soot load, regen status, DEF level
GM AllTPMS sensor PSI, transmission temps by clutch, AFM status, flex fuel %
Universal OBD-IIFull SAE J1979 Mode 01–09, enhanced freeze frames, pending/permanent codes
Community PIDsUser-submitted PID definitions with validation, shared via cloud

Professional OBD-II tools maintain manufacturer-specific PID packs that require manual SD card updates. The CEH Scanner includes the same depth of coverage, but PIDs update over Wi-Fi with every firmware release automatically.

🔌 External Sensor Input

The CEH Scanner exposes an auxiliary analog input header for aftermarket sensors. Connect a wideband O2, EGT probe, or boost sensor and overlay the data on the same gauge dashboard as your OBD-II PIDs.

Wideband AFR0–5V input from AEM UEGO, Innovate, or Zeitronix controllers
EGT (Exhaust Gas)K-type thermocouple via DPT EGT amplifier (0–1800°F)
Boost/Vacuum0–5V MAP sensor input (up to 60 PSI)
Custom 0-5VAny sensor with a 0–5V analog output via the ADS1115 spare channels

External sensor inputs are standard on high-end OBD-II tools, and we built it into the hardware from day one. Two of the ADS1115's four channels are dedicated to OBD-II voltage sensing, the other two are available for external sensors via a 4-pin JST header.

🤖 AI-Powered Analysis

What separates the CEH Scanner from every gauge and logger on the market. The device captures the data. The AI explains what it means, correlates multiple data streams, and walks you through the fix.

Code ContextDTC + freeze frame + live data → AI diagnosis with confidence score
Pattern DetectionLogged data analyzed for intermittent faults, trends, degradation
Guided TestingStep-by-step circuit tests with expected voltage ranges for your vehicle
Parts + CostMatched parts, estimated repair cost, DIY difficulty rating

Professional tools give you numbers. The CEH Scanner gives you answers. Combine live data, freeze frames, stored codes, and logged sessions into one AI context window that knows your specific vehicle, its history, and the most likely root cause.

What It Unlocks

Same hardware at every tier. The device works as a code reader out of the box, no subscription required. Upgrade to unlock the features that matter to you.

Included with Device

Reader — $199 one-time

The scanner works forever as a code reader. No subscription, no expiration, no paperweight.

  • ✓ Read/clear codes (all protocols)
  • ✓ Freeze frame capture
  • ✓ Basic OBD-II live data (Mode 01)
  • ✓ 2 gauge slots (digital readout)
  • ✓ USB-C J2534 pass-through
  • ✓ Firmware updates (always)
  • No advanced features
Subscription

Pro — $9.99/mo or $99/yr

Full gauge dashboard, manufacturer PIDs, data logging, performance testing, and external sensor overlay.

  • ✓ Everything in Reader
  • ✓ 8 gauge slots (all layout types)
  • ✓ Manufacturer-specific PIDs
  • ✓ Data logging + CSV/JSON export
  • ✓ Performance testing (1/4 mile, 0-60)
  • ✓ Voltage readback (ADS1115)
  • ✓ External sensor overlay
  • No bidirectional control
Subscription

Scanner — $29.99/mo or $249/yr

Bidirectional control, actuation tests, guided diagnostics, circuit testing, and AI analysis.

  • ✓ Everything in Pro
  • ✓ Bidirectional control
  • ✓ Component actuation
  • ✓ AI-powered diagnostics
  • ✓ Guided troubleshooting
  • ✓ Circuit voltage testing
  • ✓ CAN FD + advanced protocols

How It Compares

The scanner market is fragmented. You need one tool for gauges, another for logging, another for codes, another for bidirectional. Here's what a single CEH Scanner replaces:

Feature CEH Scanner nGauge ($350) nDash ($500) OBDLink MX+ ($100)
Read/Clear Codes
Real-Time Gauges
Performance Timer
Data Logging to SD
Manufacturer PIDs
External Sensor Input
Wireless Data Stream
AI Diagnostics
Guided Circuit Tests
Bidirectional Control
OTA Firmware Updates
Open Hardware
Built-in Battery

Feature comparison based on publicly available product specifications as of 2025. CEH Scanner features reflect the full Scanner-tier subscription. All product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here solely for identification and comparison purposes. nGauge® is a trademark of Patriot Diagnostics. nDash™ is a trademark of Drew Technologies. OBDLink® is a registered trademark of ScanTool.net. Check Engine Help is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of these companies.

Same Hardware. Different Software.

Every CEH Scanner ships with identical hardware. Your subscription tier determines which features are unlocked in software. This is the same model that works across industries:

🚗 FORScan

Ford vehicles ship with backup camera wiring pre-installed. The harness is there, the module is there. FORScan activates it by writing a single PID to the BCM. Same hardware, same wiring — just a software flag.

🏥 Medical Devices

ZOLL ships every cardiac monitor as a 12-lead. They gate it to 3-lead in software. It costs more to build the gated version because of the software lock. The capability is already in the hardware — you're paying for the unlock.