Get your own ODB II code reader

DonnyDave

Has anyone got one of these devices that read an ECU's error code? How much do garages charge? I expect that main dealers will charge a small fortune just to a read code that could have been read had the vehicle been designed with a digital display.

It may well pay for itself the first time it is required.

This article on eHow.com lists several standards. Do different manufacturers use different standards? And therefore a reader that uses all these will be compatible with all/most vehicles?

Here's some I found for sale online:

This one lists quite a few standards, connects to a PC and is only £14.12:
http://www.!!!!!!!!!.com/product_info.php?language=en&currency=GBP&products_id=12091

A handheld one for £39.95:
http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDEOBD.html

Another handheld for £14.47:
http://www.carparts-sale.com/u380-obdii-obd2-eobd-engine-scanner-trouble-code-reade-p-51.html

CHR15

I've had one of these for a couple of years

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/U581-CAN-BUS-Diagnostic-Code-Reader-Scanner-Live-Data-/280543067875?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment




Many can be had for a lot less, mine has paid for itself many times over (essential item if you have a Saab!!)

benham3160

If you have a laptop, you can get the laptop based stuff for about £20 on eBay for basic diagnositic work on modern stuff.

What I will say though, don't see diagnositcs as the way to diagnose faults, it's a useful tool towards a diagnosis, but never swap stuff because the computer says so.

Some faults showing with one part may be masking a fault elsewhere too..........

Regards,
Andy

Flying-High_2

A lot of the Vauxhall stuff you can read the codes without any software.... google "paperclip test" and "Pedal trick" both work easily.

The VAG..... VW AUDI etc software can be bought easily along with the leads.... Opens up a whole world of nerdiness that one.

DonnyDave

Flying-High wrote: »

A lot of the Vauxhall stuff you can read the codes without any software.... google "paperclip test" and "Pedal trick" both work easily.

Thanks. I read about that but I have also read that this does not work for later models. I have a 2004 Corsa C.

Flying-High_2

Should do It'll be the Pedal one on a C.....

Google it and give it a whirl... Its the number of flashes... I only tried it out of curiousity on a 01 Vectra and it worked a treat...

anewman

Yep I use VCDS-lite with a cable off ebay for about £10, it's great.

colino

While I agree that they can be handy tools (and are now frankly dirt cheap) they are no replacement for knowledge and experience. For example your car, which may have been running fine, lights up the eml and your code reader shows P0420. Do you replace - as some cheaper readers might lead you - the expensive cat, or do you find the pinhole in your exhaust that will result in the same code?
Loads of faults either show misleading codes or simply don't throw a code at all (MAF for example), so treat them with caution.

anewman

colino wrote: »

they are no replacement for knowledge and experience. For example your car, which may have been running fine, lights up the eml and your code reader shows P0420. Do you replace - as some cheaper readers might lead you - the expensive cat, or do you find the pinhole in your exhaust that will result in the same code?
Loads of faults either show misleading codes or simply don't throw a code at all (MAF for example), so treat them with caution.

I wish someone would tell half the car dealers out there this. They all seem to be gung-ho with the plug it into the computer for 3 minutes (charging you £60 for the privilege) and automatically replacing bits the car flags up in the codes with little thought.

sassy_one

I have a fault code reader, got mine off eBay for £50.

Has saved me using the garage at least 3 times, which charges £30 a time so has already paid for itself!

I would recommend getting one of these specially if you are finding yourself having to get a code read every few months/year.

thescouselander

I have one of these code scanners - its quite handy but they don't always help if you get a manufacturer specific code, still worth the monty though.