820
South East
Posts: 790
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I am looking to buy an OBD scanner tool. There are loads to choose from and all quote similar features but generally it seems there are the bottom of the range 2 button readers about £10 - 15 then they step up to £20 -30 with a few more buttons then to £30 - 50 with Air bag and Abs or some other feature then a big step up to the large screen type that I guess can do a bit of programming or diagnosis. What are you using and would you recommend it? reliability and limitations, any advice would be appreciated, thanks Jim
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sb
Part of things
Posts: 725
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What are you trying to do with it? I've had decent success with a bluetooth adaptor for reading and clearing codes, but it all depends on the app you get.
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Wilk
Part of things
Posts: 528
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I recently had a clio code read at the local garage. The mechanic used a snap on reader. He showed me the display showing specific info (2 injector faults in this case)
I swapped over the injectors to see if the fault followed the part or stopped on the same 2 cylinders. I bought a cheap reader off Amazon for £15. This reader gave me 2 number codes and a directory book to tell what the codes meant. Still did the necessary but it was a bit more vague and needed the code numbers inturpreting
After reading some of the Amazon reviews you need to be aware that some readers won't read from certain manufacturers and that BMWs need an adapter plug to fit
HTH
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If it can be fixed with a hammer, then it must be an electrical fault
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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OBD diagnostic scanners adviceChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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IMHO and experience the cheaper readers are hit and miss. My £15 reader reads nothing on my now sold Clio, friend's Mondeo MkIV, sort of reads some codes from a Mk3 and doesn't do sod all with my E46. On some of the older stuff it was OK. Snap On is not bad but even they do not rival a manufacturer specific device. As an example or two, my Cheapo reader claimed my Passat was fine. A Snap On device claimed there was a MAF error. On VCDS it came up with FAR more errors including: -MAF reading low -Turbo overboost -Airbag module defective -Clock Spring reading not present - Horn did not work and it had an airbag fauly -Intermittent wiper signal from stalk. Almost all of the garages the previous owner took it to reckoned the MAF was faulty. Via VCDS I was able to get live data on the injector stability values and figured out why the MAF reading was said to be low - it was because it actually was a low reading - the camshaft was worn down to the nub. Again, on my Clio the Snap - On reader came back with a vague code saying "Brake system/Pressure Incoherence". I thought it was the brake switch, but it was actually a cracked ABS ring. Renault CLIP from what I gather would have been far better here. I could carry on (my U380 read sod all from my Alfa with a boost leak) but you get the point . What car do you have? As a rule of thumb I'd do the following: If it's a: VAG - VCDS - Don't bother with anything else (yes it's expensive but there is a reason why, it works, and is more than just a reader, and you can loan/test people's car with it if you wish (for a fee potentially). BMW - INPA would be a good shout here Ford - Forscan is not bad and it is cheap (around £20 for a modified ELM327 lead to access both CAN modules). Renault - CLIP - this is not cheap and you can only really buy hooky copies of it outside of Renault. I know it's not what you want to hear but it is my experience of readers. What car is it?
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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I am after something universal which is how most of them are advertised, I have a RSTuner Fastchip for loading maps onto my RS Megane, that reads everything on the Renault but is made for the Renault, I plugged it into so far a 2007 BMW Mini and 2001 Toyota and I am able to read and delete fault codes with it but that is with a laptop, I want something more compact. Thanks for your wise words and opinions
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Last Edit: Jun 17, 2016 7:51:52 GMT by 820
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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OBD diagnostic scanners adviceChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Most of them are advertised as universal as in some ways they are just that. They will plug into a car and read codes, just not all of them .
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Thanks Chaz, plenty to mull over.
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Just seen one of the above on ebay, "As New, opened only and tested" bought it for and tried it on his BMW, it wouldnt work, VW Polo its ok so he is selling it. Cheers Chaz, turns out not all adverts on ebay are as they seem!
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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OBD diagnostic scanners adviceChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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No worries.
If you are local to Warwick I am happy to lend you the hooky BMW cable I have ; I "think" it should work with a Mini. It wasn't massively expensive at £30.
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Cheers Chaz that is very decent of you. I can do the odd bit of reading with my laptop and the Renault device which was ok for occasional work but I might be doing a bit more regular stuff so looking to buy a decent unit or one that covers as much as possible without breaking the bank. A bit more research leads to the Autel devices AL419, AL519 and AL619.
Still interested in what anybody else is using and experience if the same limitations as Chaz found. Jim
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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I recently had a clio code read at the local garage. The mechanic used a snap on reader. He showed me the display showing specific info (2 injector faults in this case) I swapped over the injectors to see if the fault followed the part or stopped on the same 2 cylinders. I bought a cheap reader off Amazon for £15. This reader gave me 2 number codes and a directory book to tell what the codes meant. Still did the necessary but it was a bit more vague and needed the code numbers inturpreting After reading some of the Amazon reviews you need to be aware that some readers won't read from certain manufacturers and that BMWs need an adapter plug to fit HTH Can you remember what make and model? cheers Jim
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Wilk
Part of things
Posts: 528
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If it can be fixed with a hammer, then it must be an electrical fault
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sal
Part of things
Mk2 Cavalier CD
Posts: 240
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I recently bought one of the Autel readers but can't remember which model. One that does oil light, and parking brake etc over and above reading codes.
Use it for hobby rather than professional and so far have had it connected to Saab and Vauxhall with no issue and enabled me to sort the problems out.
Seems to be a number of fake items on eBay so be wary of who you purchase from.
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Thats interesting, tried to find what you have but none of them mention hand brake but two of the Autel units can read ABS, any chance you could find out which model number it is.
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Tepper
Part of things
Posts: 381
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Jun 10, 2016 17:14:42 GMT
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I recently picked up a £4 bluetooth code reader from eBay which I use in conjunction with the 'Torque Lite' app on a £15 Android phone which I had already. This was used to successfully read and clear a fault code on an '04 Toyota Avensis and was able to display some other data as well. For the money I am very impressed but it won't give you full dealer-level diagnostics like you'd get with VCDS, INPA etc. Did the job for me though and has to be worth a go for £4!
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1989 Peugeot 205 GTi - stolen! 1983 Mazda RX7 1968 Rover P6 - also stolen.
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sal
Part of things
Mk2 Cavalier CD
Posts: 240
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Jun 10, 2016 19:58:22 GMT
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MD802 is the one I have
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820
South East
Posts: 790
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Looked up the spec of the MD802, very wide range of functions and high spec, thanks for that. Thank you all for your replies that has helped me a lot in my search, I was seriously considering one of the £20 - 30 units but definitely will not buy one of those now. cheers Jim
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sal
Part of things
Mk2 Cavalier CD
Posts: 240
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Jun 17, 2016 21:57:53 GMT
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No worries. Glad to help.
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Aug 30, 2017 20:39:23 GMT
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Thread revival here.
Bit over a year on so some new devices out there probably...... And I have an issue with a Kia C'eed with ABS light permanently on plus engine management and EPAS lights intermittently on and need to read a wide range of codes. All issues appeared about the same time and have checked battery voltages / charging voltages,fuses and major earths without result.
What codes reader / scanner to read a fullish spectrum of Kia codes?
Nick
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1967 Triumph Vitesse convertible (old friend) 1996 Audi A6 2.5 TDI Avant (still durability testing) 1972 GT6 Mk3 (Restored after loong rest & getting the hang of being a car again)
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
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OBD diagnostic scanners adviceChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Aug 31, 2017 17:17:09 GMT
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With some stuff getting older maybe a 'good' diagnostic kit could be added to the FAQs . As for the Kia stuff I couldn't tell you.
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