Cheap OBD2 temp gauge

I think I finally have a handle on the overheating issue in my Neon, but I'd like to keep an eye on temps during the race coming up in just over a week. I don't feel like having to plumb in another temp sensor, so am thinking of picking up a ScanGaugeE and setting it to display coolant temp. It looks like it'll set me back about $95. Are there any other options out there that are cheaper, and just plug into the OBD2 port? I saw the UltraGauge which is cheaper, but it doesn't look like it is as sturdy(or at least it doesn't seem to mount securely enough), which is kind of important for rallycross...

$12 will get you one of these and a smartphone will give you the readout via Android App "Torque"
http://www.amazon.com/Soliport-Bluetooth-OBDII-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B004KL0I9I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375392236&sr=8-1&keywords=elm
http://www.amazon.com/ELM327-Bluetooth-CAN-BUS-Diagnostic-Scanner/dp/B008U1MOM8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1375392236&sr=8-3&keywords=elm

Here is a quickly found Sample Video. I suspect you can find tons of similar videos.

The handset does not have to be hooked up with cell service. So, if you have an old android phone available, you can fab something up so you can nearly permanently mount it in the car

There are cheap temp gauges, but no cheap head gasket repairs......

i paid $35 for a 3 gauge combo (oil pressure, temp, volts) for my Camaro... yeah, i had to put in the senders, but that car is OBD0 and in my world $35 is cheaper than $95 and the half hour i spent doing it was worth it..

JohnRW1621 wrote: The handset does not have to be hooked up with cell service. So, if you have an old android phone available, you can fab something up so you can nearly permanently mount it in the car

This. A used Samsung Fascinate cost me $25, and $12 for the OBDII-Bluetooth adapter, and now I have a full compliment of gauges in my gauge-less Scion.

I'll need to think about the Bluetooth scanner. I have an android phone, buts its a Razr Maxx, so takes up a decent amount of space. If I can find a place to put it that is secure and won't block other gauges, I might try that. Its got a spare case, I suppose I could stick some velcro to that, then other velcro to somewhere on the car. Just a bit of concern over how the phone will like the bumpy ride when its attached to the car. Maybe I can track down an older android phone.

I still like the scangauge for the size, but that is a big difference in price.

novaderrick and bearmtnmartin, if I weren't pressed for time, I'd do an autometer gauge to complement the ones already in the car. However, I haven't found a good mounting point for a second temp sender, and teeing off where the stock one is doesn't look like a good idea, it looks like it'd trap air, and give me bad readings. Most likely, the "best" way would be to pull the intake manifold, and drill and tap it for the second sensor. It doesn't help that it seems like everything I do on this car lately ends up taking way more work than planned, and leaves me with a non-functional car for a while. Not a good thing when I have a event in 8 days.

I use the same type of OBDII plug and Android in my Scion. For rallycross, maybe a cell holder that uses springs and grips from the sides, then wrap a velcro strap around the whole thing.

In reply to eastsidemav:

Glowshift Gauges has an in-line adapter for a cooling sensor that looks pretty easy and inexpensive, if you want to go that route. Cut the hose, put the tee in, connect the sender. I've been running a temp sender for megasquirt on the line for the heater box using a black iron pipe tee with a couple pipe nipples since I started my build back in '05 and I get good temp readings out of that and haven't had any leaks or other problems with it. I'm thinking about switching that out for the glowshift unit only for prettiness.

If you want to do the bluetooth thing, I have an old Cincinnati Bell Blaze android phone which you are welcome to double-stick tape to your dash or something. I don't know if it runs a recent enough version of android to support Torque, but it does do bluetooth and wifi.

Samsung Galaxy Blaze will have far more than enough capability to run Torque.

I have an older, Scan Gauge II as well. I tend to keep it on the dash and have it set to give me engine temp and volts on a car not otherwise equipped. It works very well. Since it is cabled in, the connection is never lost, it turn on/off with the car. It is very easy to clear codes. It is not too large and no one knows what it is or wants to steal it. Even the cheapest of Android phones always sitting on your dash will be an invite for theft.

In reply to JohnRW1621:

haha.. No, not that blaze. This is some sort of rebranded Commtiva thing we had two or three years ago.

EDIT: If you want to just use my scan tool as a temp gauge for the next event, you could do that...

I have a digital multi meter that has a temp sensor on it with about 5 feet of wire. I taped the sensor thing (flat thing about 5mm across with 2 wires coming out of it) it to the rad hose. Not perfect but just to keep an eye on things it was fine.

I also got a dam good multi meter out of the deal as well. Total cost about $70 but it is a multi tasker and I really like those types of tools.

I went with the Scangauge E for now, because I like the idea of having it hard wired, and the display is a lot smaller than my phone. I'll probably pick up one of the Bluetooth scanners later, though, to play with in my daily driver Fit.