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OBD II Reader

Hintza
Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
Can anyone recommend a cheapy OBD II reader (2006 Jeep Cherokee/Liberty 2.8 CRD)?

Comments

  • benjus
    benjus Posts: 5,433 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    I bought one of these: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270712326533

    It seems to basically work but I'm not yet sure if all the functionality works. I installed the drivers from the DVD and then downloaded the free version of EasyOBDII (there is a load of software on the DVD, but some of it asks for a licence key which would have to be purchased separately). This allowed me to see the fault code on the car and the data snapshot that was taken when the fault code was first recorded. However, it does not let me see live data or reset the MIL light. I have yet to determine if this is an issue with EasyOBDII, the drivers, the device, or the car. I'm planning to try with some other software.

    I can't help thinking it would have been simpler to get a hand-held reader...
    Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
    On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
    And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning
  • only_mee
    only_mee Posts: 2,367 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you have an android phone can recommend this http://www.appbrain.com/app/torque/org.prowl.torque
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    No android phone :(

    Was looking at the ELM unit and decided it was possibly going to over complicate matters. Some dodgy chinese clones around from what I can gather, but I suspect that could be the case with many of them.

    Starting to favour the Multiscam MS309 gives a bit more info than just the code.

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-fault-code-reader-scanner-diagnostic-tool-OBD-2-CAN-/110657911544?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item19c3b9baf8
  • Hintza wrote: »
    No android phone :(

    Was looking at the ELM unit and decided it was possibly going to over complicate matters. Some dodgy chinese clones around from what I can gather, but I suspect that could be the case with many of them.

    Starting to favour the Multiscam MS309 gives a bit more info than just the code.

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-fault-code-reader-scanner-diagnostic-tool-OBD-2-CAN-/110657911544?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item19c3b9baf8

    i have the hand held it hasnt mis diagnosed can turn airbag MIL off.

    even though ity states VAG and skoda 95% of the time it cant comunicate with the ecu on them cars.
    can find most codes on the net easy if a manufacturers code comes up as the hand held wont display wats wrong with it in detail just gives the code.
  • jase1
    jase1 Posts: 2,308 Forumite
    Any cheap unit from UIFTech (and that means almost all of the ones from ebay sellers in China) are fine.

    Assuming all you need is to grab the codes from the ECU and delete them, any piece of £10 fantastic plastic will do the job. They're all much of a muchness.
  • Hintza
    Hintza Posts: 19,420 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    A spot of Italian tuning has managed to get the light off. Interestingly just before the light went out it coughed and spluttered twice and thought oh oh but amazingly since then it has been 100%.

    Thanks all, no doubt I will have to come back to this in the future.
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