Fault Code Reader's.....

[frank horton]

sposed to be retired but still have to earn a few shekles........
My question, what is a good general all round fault code reader.......
I look after a few vehicles from an Escort - Trany - Sprinter + Clio - Alpha - Merc........
any recomends or don't buy's.........
my reg guy that does the proper test with the correct gear ie. lap-top etc has moved away......still use him but only on the bad stuff........
ta Frank

 

[Ruffian]

Autel hand held will do most stuff you need,
Unless you can look at the delphi type clones.

The launch system isn't too bad either

 

[KemppiFrog]

Frank, when you find a good one, can I borrow it?
Life is getting tough with these new fangled cars, think I need a 'window' into their CPUs...

 

[armalites]

Even though OBDII is a standard the reality is there are some quirks. I have an Autel which was cheapish and seem to be good for ABS and Airbag stuff as well as reading other codes. I also have a Snap On Solus PRO, it's an older machine but has all the cables for stuff that was pre OBD. I also have 3 different Land Rover specific tools.
I've had codes that Autel wouldn't show but the Snap On would and vice versa depending on the vehicle. The Snap On can do much more than just read codes on some vehicles. A friend of mine has a cheaper scanner and it would read the ABS fault code on his MX5 yet my Autel read the code and gave an exact description.

 

[RonA]

Autel hand held will do most stuff you need

Ditto, gets my vote too & does everything I need of it.

Rona

 

[ukracer]

Even though OBDII is a standard the reality is there are some quirks. I have an Autel which was cheapish and seem to be good for ABS and Airbag stuff as well as reading other codes. I also have a Snap On Solus PRO, it's an older machine but has all the cables for stuff that was pre OBD. I also have 3 different Land Rover specific tools.
I've had codes that Autel wouldn't show but the Snap On would and vice versa depending on the vehicle. The Snap On can do much more than just read codes on some vehicles. A friend of mine has a cheaper scanner and it would read the ABS fault code on his MX5 yet my Autel read the code and gave an exact description.

I find thats a problem i come across....its ok being given a fault code but to find it covers 3 sensors 3 components in the fuel system and couple of engine parts.

I see them more like a doctors stethescope , blood pressure monitor and glucose monitor all in one.
I.e it tells you there is something wrong but its not specific enough to tell you what it is.

 

[Master fettler]

I have a Foxwell professional and use it on several fords, minis Vauxhall,renaults and my Jag. Well worth the money and gives you the information not just a code. Also does abs,electronic handbrakes and air bags.

 

[frank horton]

thanks guy's,
foxwell, undred's of quids....!!!!!!!! etc etc.......
think I'll just pay the extra for the call out to my electronic's mate.........it's all to complicated not interested in modern rubbish AT ALL....to old to be bothered......ta.....Frank

 

[123hotchef]

delphi copy from ebay about 40 quid comes with the cracked program I had to get it do read mut 3 mitsis as the cheap obd readers will not do it

 

[fenman]

123hotchef will this turn air bag lights off ect

 

[123hotchef]

123hotchef will this turn air bag lights off ect

let me check tomorrow mate on my mut3 mitsi the option is there but i have not clicked on it ill check dont want to say yes just incase

 

[cumbriasteve]

I got one of the ebay cheapies for the grand total of £9 and it worked, it gave me the codes that allowed me to be fairly sure what sensor was giving the trouble.

I then put my mates (car mechanic) more professional reader on it and it worked better, identified the exact sensor, the one I thought it was as it happened.

So a £9 cheapie may not be great, but it's one step up from guessing and for the price it's better to have than not to have.

 

[Kayos]

My old neighbour had 2 plug in units, neither of them particularly spendy and between them they would pick most faults up.

A good example was his V8 merc, one said misfire cylinder 6, the other said misfire all cylinders. It was some dodgy fuel his brother had put in when he borrowed it

 

[keithski122]

I find thats a problem i come across....its ok being given a fault code but to find it covers 3 sensors 3 components in the fuel system and couple of engine parts.

I see them more like a doctors stethescope , blood pressure monitor and glucose monitor all in one.
I.e it tells you there is something wrong but its not specific enough to tell you what it is.

And everyone thinks a mechanic just plugs the car into their computer and it tells them whats wrong.

 

[KemppiFrog]

OK, as a complete ignoramous on these items. Take our three motors, a 96 Espace diesel, a 95 Twingo and a 2007 Kangoo. What readers would one need to check faults on them. Quite a few of the 'tronic bits on the Espace don't seem to work and it has several 'boxes' around. But since it runs OK I don't bother with the duff extras and have bypassed the imobiliser. The Twingo has developed an occasional missfire and refusal to start. But gets over it. Appears to be after periods of rain. No obvious HT shorting or plug problems. Old single point injection on a pushrod engine. Both of them have a socket to put in a reader, but which one? The Kangoo, is obviously much more recent, so needs a different reader?
KF, or should it be dynosourous...

 

[tom 748]

got a autel,does any cars,think it was 400

 

[slim_boy_fat]

I have a generic eBay one, can't remember the name [it's out in the car] and it wasn't horrendously expensive but will give fault codes and let me reset and clear any dash warnings - which will eventually recur, of course, until fixed. It also gives access to live data about all sorts, so things like coolant temp etc can be checked.

I also have a laptop with a full BMW diagnostics setup which I'm wary of using in case I turn the car into a brick......