OBD2 fault Reader...which 1??

[fireman]

Its time i brought a code reader but i dont want to shell out a lot of money. Most cars i can reset the service lightusing the trip meter method but i really need to be able to get the fault codes on none runners etc.

I really dont know what way to go here as you can see you can buy cheap code readers from ebay like this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DIY-DIAGNOSTIC...QQcmdZViewItem


or a cable like this and run it off my lappy with relevent software


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-COM-COMPAT...QQcmdZViewItem

[delambo]

The second one you list is only compatible with vag-com, which is an amazing piece of software, but will only work on volkswagens, audis, seats, skodas, porsches and bentleys. I would highly recommend getting one of theses cables as you get dealer level entry to these vehicles and can perform many tasks such as immobiliser coding, key matching and any other tasks that one would naturally think was "dealer only". For a better all round cable I would recomend a mobydic interface (check the VIP section for the software to use it with) availabe on ebay. If you wanted one I am just about to order one from germany so perhaps I could get a better discount for geting 2. You other option if you wanted to buy the cable would be elm based products, however you would need to buy 3. Peolple believe that when EOBD came in to place that it would be easy - 1 interface to fit all vehicles. That is not acctually correct. There are infact a coice of 3 - IOS, PMW, and VPW, sufice to say that the ISO would service most of your needs, Ford are PMW and GM are VPW, so you would need all 3 really to get by properly. That is not including the fact that most vehicles are coming through thaese days with CAN (controller area network) which so far elm doesnt support. Mobydic supports all of the above.

As for the stand alone reader I wouldnt even consider it. If you are comfortabe with using a computer (which you clearly are) go with a computer based system any time. With the stand alone tester you mention it will only give codes - no live data. The live data is infact perhaps more important than fault codes themselves. I am in the diagnostics game, thats all I do and a fault code simply points you in the right direction, it is not the be all and end all. A recent example would be a golf that I was caled to look at. It wouldnt start. Their fault code reader told them it was the CKP sensor so they replaced it. That didnt fix it so they called me out. My fault code reader (VAG-COM) told me also that it was the CKP sensor, so I tested it with my oscilloscope - all OK. I tested the signal to the ECU from the CKP sensor - all OK. The problem turned out to be a faulty ignition amplifier! I never recommend to replace ANYTHING until I have PROVED it is faulty. Live data will help you to do so.

Also you might find it worth your while getting hold of a copy of Autodata CD2, you would be surprised the ammout of vehicles you can read with a test lamp and a split pin!! Also the fault codes wil maen nothing without something ike Autodata to point you in the right direction of a fix.

Be prepared to keep spending once you get involved in diagnostics. I have probably 3 tools to do each job!! Once you get started you will begin to realise areas which you fall down in, but when you buy a tool to fill that gap you will find it will also do something you already have a tool to do!!

Hope this helps, keep me posted as to what you decide to do.

[jakeyfly]

well delambo you just saved me a lot of typing mate (was just putting that together)
as delambo says stay clear from those hand held eobd scan tools, there pants.
go with the laptop software and interface, yes mobydick will do just fine but elm has just reviled the elm 327 chip http://www.scantool.net/products/elmscan_5.htm , this does ISO, VPW, PWM and CAN protocols, but not sure of the speed yet, my guess is the mobydick will still be faster refresh.
But you must remember EOBD is mainly emmisions related software for cars year 2001 onwards(but it does work on a few cars before that), good for engine managment only

but you must get yourself vagcom m8, when you research it a bit its a great tool.

[fireman]

Thanks for the advice chaps. I think your right in getting the VAG software and cable as there is much praise about it on a Skoda forum im a member of. As for the cable your buying from germany delambo i think thats maybe the way forward for me. How much is it. Can you pm me some details and we can arrange to get 2 of them together like you say. Plus then maybe we can meet up have a few beers and you can show me how its all done. As its bound to go all wrong this end.

@ Jakeyfly does the elm 372 chip a better tool do the same thing??

[delambo]

The asking price is £68 each + £20 delivery. The delivery sounds a bit steep so if they were sent in the same package we might save there. I was thinking of offering them £100 for 2 and see if they bite. Its worth a try!

[fireman]

you got a link so i can see what were getting.

[delambo]

Originally Posted by fireman

you got a link so i can see what were getting.

Sadly theres very little info out there in English. Heres the website of the UK distributor.

This is the item listing on Ebay where I first found it (in German). I have made contact with them and they are happy to sell outside of Ebay presumably to save on fees.

[jakeyfly]

Originally Posted by fireman

Thanks for the advice chaps. I think your right in getting the VAG software and cable as there is much praise about it on a Skoda forum im a member of. As for the cable your buying from germany delambo i think thats maybe the way forward for me. How much is it. Can you pm me some details and we can arrange to get 2 of them together like you say. Plus then maybe we can meet up have a few beers and you can show me how its all done. As its bound to go all wrong this end.

@ Jakeyfly does the elm 372 chip a better tool do the same thing??

go for the mobydic m8, i havent used the 327 elm but i have the 323 elm (ISO) and its a bit slow the mobydic is ment to be faster.
digimoto sell them as well at $135 about £78 but not sure of postage.

@delambo see what you can do for 3 mobydics, could do with anouther CAN interface
cheers

[fireman]

looks brilliant chaps. Let me know who and when you want the cash.

Im at work for next 2 days so my replys will be bit slow.

[delambo]

They only offer a discount on more than 10 but it was worth a try. They say I will save on postage by ordering 3. I dont know exactly what that means, they didnt specify. They also said something in german which I couldnt understand about saving on VAT. I guess waht they are saying is they wont charge VAT (16% in germany) on an export? The only thing I must make sure of though is that they mark it as gift so we dont pay import duty. I will be ordering at the weekend when a couple of cheques have cleared. So how many am I to order?