For Chrysler Pacifica owners, especially those of the hybrid model, understanding your vehicle’s health is crucial. An OBD2 scanner is an invaluable tool for diagnosing issues, monitoring performance, and even performing some advanced customizations. If you’re considering purchasing an OBD2 scanner for your Chrysler Pacifica, you might be wondering about the best options, particularly when comparing the OBDLink EX and MX+.
OBDLink is a reputable brand known for its reliable and feature-rich OBD2 adapters. Two popular models, the OBDLink EX and OBDLink MX+, often come up in discussions among car enthusiasts and DIY mechanics. The original poster in a forum thread was contemplating this very question: whether the more affordable, wired OBDLink EX would be functionally equivalent to the Bluetooth-enabled OBDLink MX+ for their 2020 Pacifica Hybrid, especially when used with AlfaOBD software.
The OBDLink EX is often promoted for Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, and Mercury vehicles, and it’s true that it’s optimized for use with software like ForScan for these brands. However, as pointed out in the original forum, the website AlfaOBD.com recommends both the EX and MX+ for Chrysler vehicles, highlighting their support for the MS-CAN interfaces that Chrysler uses. This is a critical detail because many generic OBD2 scanners may not fully support the communication protocols necessary for in-depth diagnostics on vehicles like the Chrysler Pacifica.
The user in the forum post was particularly interested in using the OBDLink EX with Android apps like AlfaOBD and the OBDLink app itself to effectively support their Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. They correctly anticipated needing a USB to USB-C OTG adapter to connect the wired EX scanner to their phone. A practical concern also arose regarding the physical size of the OBDLink EX adapter and the location of the OBD2 port in the Pacifica. The user worried about the adapter hanging down and potentially being damaged or damaging the OBD port when entering or exiting the vehicle – a valid point to consider, where the more compact MX+ with its Bluetooth connectivity might offer an advantage by not having a dangling cable.
Despite these considerations, the user decided to purchase the OBDLink EX, encouraged by a discount and the need for a cabled connection for certain software functionalities. Their experience after receiving the OBDLink EX unit was initially mixed. While they successfully got the EX working with OBDWiz software on a Windows PC after some manual driver installation and troubleshooting, they encountered issues with the OBDLink Android app initially not recognizing the EX cable. This highlights a potential challenge: even with recommended scanners, there can be software compatibility hurdles, especially with newer hardware revisions.
However, the story has a positive resolution. Through communication with OBDLink support, it was discovered that the latest revision of the OBDLink EX cable (version 2.2) had a compatibility issue with the current OBDLink Android app. Importantly, OBDLink quickly addressed this, updating their app to fully support the EX cable 2.2. The user confirmed that after the app update, the OBDLink EX worked flawlessly with their Android phone. While they still intended to test the AlfaOBD app, the crucial point was established: the OBDLink EX can indeed be a viable and cost-effective OBD2 scanner option for a Chrysler Pacifica, even the hybrid model.
Ultimately, the choice between the OBDLink EX and MX+ for your Chrysler Pacifica Obd2 needs depends on your priorities. If budget is a primary concern and you don’t mind a wired connection, the OBDLink EX, as demonstrated, is a capable tool, especially when paired with software like AlfaOBD. If wireless convenience and potentially broader app compatibility right out of the box are more important, and you are willing to invest more, the OBDLink MX+ remains an excellent choice. Regardless of which OBDLink scanner you choose for your Chrysler Pacifica, ensure you are using compatible software to fully utilize its diagnostic and customization capabilities.
