Car diagnostic software purchase

[ukracer]

For general maintenance and diagnostics the knock off vcds will be perfect for you. No need to spend the big money on the pro version if you're just looking after your own vehicles.

My problem is I am sitting in my dad's car. Knowing their is a fault with the ABS (I suspect a sensor) but whilst I have Bluedriver linked up it will show me nothing about ABS. Surely this is what these are for..pinpointing faults so you can buy the correct part to try and see if it's that?

It's a 2008 Citroen Picasso so nothing special but not worth enough to be paying garage prices.

 

[hotponyshoes]

My problem is I am sitting in my dad's car. Knowing their is a fault with the ABS (I suspect a sensor) but whilst I have Bluedriver linked up it will show me nothing about ABS. Surely this is what these are for..pinpointing faults so you can buy the correct part to try and see if it's that?

It's a 2008 Citroen Picasso so nothing special but not worth enough to be paying garage prices.

I dont know about the blue driver but I would start by looking for "live data" and see if you can get readings from the wheel speed sensors?

 

[ukracer]

I dont know about the blue driver but I would start by looking for "live data" and see if you can get readings from the wheel speed sensors?

Delphi does not seem to like the Citroen. The Blue Driver seems to me like a complete waste of time.

 

[winchman]

My problem is I am sitting in my dad's car. Knowing their is a fault with the ABS (I suspect a sensor) but whilst I have Bluedriver linked up it will show me nothing about ABS. Surely this is what these are for..pinpointing faults so you can buy the correct part to try and see if it's that?

It's a 2008 Citroen Picasso so nothing special but not worth enough to be paying garage prices.

I have an old Blue Point ( Snap On ) reader, but it wont read anything safety related, last time I looked much of the cheaper stuff will only do the basics, its like giving a monkey a watch as I struggle to use mine

 

[roofman]

Been looking for a set up for my 535d E60..after much research the best option for me and maybe you too is buying a used laptop with ISTA installed..can do much more than a hand held and has the facility to code every single module on the beemer and much more

 

[premmington]

Don't panic....

I am an Auto Electrician - I have tens and tens of thousands of pounds of diagnostic kit - to dealer level on most makes of cars/vehicles to include lorries/plant and agricultural kit.

And sometimes I can't read the memory in ECU control units.

It is mine field choosing kit when on a budget.

 

[ukracer]

Don't panic....

I am an Auto Electrician - I have tens and tens of thousands of pounds of diagnostic kit - to dealer level on most makes to include lorries/plant and agricultural kit.

An sometimes I can't read the memory in ECU control units.

It is mine field choosing kit when on a budget.

I would have expected Delphi to have identified a duff ABS sensor on a 2008 Picasso. I just wanto know which one to buy.

 

[premmington]

I would have expected Delphi to have identified a duff ABS sensor on a 2008 Picasso. I just wanto know which one to buy.

I too would have expected Delphi DS150 (AutoCom) to do the above.

I sometimes with Delphi - don't do the ISS cluster and just read the label on the ABS pump and then find it manually - then connect to it.

Sometimes when I can't connect - I then get another diagnostic platform out - instead of just assuming I have a dead ABS pump. Double check - non coms...

 

[zx9]

and has the facility to code every single module on the beemer and much more

Just be very very careful not to run before you can walk or you will be doing a lot of walking instead of driving.

 

[ukracer]

I too would have expected Delphi DS150 (AutoCom) to do the above.

I sometimes with Delphi - don't do the ISS cluster and just read the label on the ABS pump and then find it manually - then connect to it.

Sometimes when I can't connect - I then get another diagnostic platform out - instead of just assuming I have a dead ABS pump. Double check - non coms...

 

[premmington]

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Are you sure the French bit of pooh had a Bosch ESP unit fitted?

You need to look on the label of the ABS pump?

 

[ukracer]

Are you sure the French bit of pooh had a Bosch ESP unit fitted?

You need to look on the label of the ABS pump?

No but it's the only available option.

 

[premmington]

No but it's the only available option.

Find out what it is - Bosch ABS what ? - then find a French car on Delphi with CAN hi and lo - then go to communicate to it.


You might have to use a Renault or something (PUG) of the same ish age to find the Bosch ABS module to match.


I did this on Merc today - wanted to code an injector - knew PCM engine ECU was Merc CD4 - no prompt on diagnostic scan tool for the Cclass I was working on - went to Eclass CD4 then got coms - wrong car right module.

I do this all the while when I can't be bothered to dig a dealer tool out.

 

[roofman]

Just be very very careful not to run before you can walk or you will be doing a lot of walking instead of driving.

Yes this is so true...very easy to get sucked into sub menus and go click happy

 

[ukracer]

Find out what it is - Bosch ABS what ? - then find a French car on Delphi with CAN hi and lo - then go to communicate to it.


You might have to use a Renault or something (PUG) of the same ish age to find the Bosch ABS module to match.


I did this on Merc today - wanted to code an injector - knew PCM engine ECU was Merc CD4 - no prompt on diagnostic scan tool for the Cclass I was working on - went to Eclass CD4 then got coms - wrong car right module.

I do this all the while when I can't be bothered to dig a dealer tool out.

That's fantastic advice. I was not aware you could do that.

 

[premmington]

That's fantastic advice. I was not aware you could do that.

You may well have a Bosch 8th generation ABS pump - but this could be 8.0, 8.0ESP, 8.0m, 8.1 or 8.2.


Oh... Yes you can do this - the car does not have a CAN Gateway - if it did - you cannot - but anything with straight CAN Hi and Lo wires direct from the DL16 diagnostic plug to the pump - it makes no odds what car choice of car/model/make your scan tool gives you.

With a gateway you need to go thru this in a pass thru protocol - but your French 2008 mongrel of car is not that advanced.

 

[wacky7791]

I have the BMW software (INPA/ GT1 etc etc) £30 for the lead and software. Has saved my countless trips to a garage for simple fixes like airbag lights and wheel speed sensors.

Also just bought Volvo VIDA as I've just purchased an XC90. £100 but thats really only 2 trips to a dealer!

Also have the wee ELM32 bluetooth dongle to use with the Torque Pro app. Gives generic codes so you can narrow down the fault but nowhere near as good as the brand specific software.

Been looking at vida dice as the better half has recently got an XC60, did you get it off ebay and does it look worth having?
Have an ELM327 dongle as well reckon for what they cost they are a great bit of kit for simple fault finding.

 

[anto]

Been looking at vida dice as the better half has recently got an XC60, did you get it off ebay and does it look worth having?
Have an ELM327 dongle as well reckon for what they cost they are a great bit of kit for simple fault finding.

Joined up to the Volvo forums and there is a fella sells them. You pay a bit more but he checks them all prior to sending out and he is a UK contact for any problems you may have.

Might be less than £100. Postage to Ireland probably pushed the price up a bit more than you guys over in England, Scotland, Wales.

 

[truckdoctor]

Sounds like you are all talking Martian to me LOL

 

[earthman]

My uncle bought a Launch X431 pro setup a few years back, and as long as the software updates are done, it's awesome. Full range functionality, coding in injectors, ECUs etc,. There's very little it can't do, TBH, and it covers just about everything sold in the UK after 2000.
I had a knock-off VAGCOM setup and also BMW INPA( ?) on a laptop but it was a faff and only better for things like coding in modifications, changing ICE options etc.

I did look at Launch products a while back, were hoping to find one that could do everything on an Isuzu D-Max and Fiat Panda, I gave up in the end,....that X431 may well do it, I wasn't looking at that higher of a price range. For the home/DIY mechanic, most of these systems are just out of our price range I feel.