My daughters Punto has a misfire and is showing the engine management light.
Anyone have any comments on this sort of thing or any better ideas?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-DIAGNOSTIC-CODE-READER-ELM-327-USB-ver-1-3a-OBD-CAN-/280532171916?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Diagnostic_Too ls_Equipment&hash=item4151053c8c

I have something similar and it's ok - particularly for the money.

I paid £60 for something like that 5 years ago, it allows you to log the events and watch stuff like RPM, temp, engine load etc.

If you just want to look at the faults there are cheaper ODBII reset boxes on Ebay for £5, saves carting a laptop around if you just want to look at fault codes.

Remember, the fault code may not be the fault, you need to work back, as an example Lamda reading high = weak mixture, could be faulty fuel pump/running out of fuel.

Look for obvious things, if running rough give it a service, new plugs etc, coil pack may be stuffed and show as something else... if you get my drift.

[Edited on 17/7/10 by mark chandler]

these cars have a prob with the ecu playing up, dont no if its your prob. swap the coil over and see if the prob stays on the same coil/fault code if it does its the ecu and if it is you have to change the ecu immobilizer and key/ barrel.
adam

The most common problem with Puntos - it will be the ECU, I got my daughters one reconditioned for £100