crank sensor/ fix or scrap car?

thescouselander

Deleted_User wrote: »

Those little cheapo code readers make more problems than they are worth. Take it to a proper indie garage that has a proper reader.

Those cheap pocket readers were giving out a bunch of codes for my misfire problem. The proper reader gave one exact code and bang... problem diagnosed and fixed.

The code readers don't do anything to generate the codes - they just read them from the ECU memory. If the cheapo code reader spat out a load of codes then that's what the car recorded.

It could have been that there were old codes in there and once cleared only one code recurred as a result of the fault.

Either way is takes some knowledge and skill to diagnose from the fault codes because they can be misleading.

[Deleted User]

Tried 2 garages that used cheap £15 off ebay type readers and a work mate that had one too and all give out various codes even when they had been cleared each time. Then when I took it to proper garage with a proper reader they knew straight away what it was and what I suspected it to be.

thescouselander

Well, I've never seen a fault code reader produce any spurious codes that weren't in the ECUs memory - I can't even think how that scenario could come about. Are you sure there aren't other faults on the car?

The other alternative is the dealer's software could analyse combinations of codes to give a more accurate indication of the problem. Thats nothing an experienced tech couldn't do in their heads though.

[Deleted User]

The cheap readers where giving codes indicating problems with one injector, all injectors, coil pack, camshaft sensor etc. Problem turned out to be just one injector playing up. Car had been fine since I replaced it.

thescouselander

Deleted_User wrote: »

The cheap readers where giving codes indicating problems with one injector, all injectors, coil pack, camshaft sensor etc. Problem turned out to be just one injector playing up. Car had been fine since I replaced it.

None of this makes any sense. Basic code readers are just dumb terminals that repeat the information in the ECU's memory. It doesn't matter how expensive the reader, it will just show you what the ECU has recorded - essentially the code reader plays no part in the diagnostic process so there should be no difference in the results from different devices.