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Free OBD software?
contaminated - 14/6/12 at 02:25 PM

Chaps

I have a dashboard light lit up on a 2007 Mini Cooper (R56). This light is to do with emissions and potential damage to the cat. In reality it's highly likely to be a sensor (possibly the lamda sensor). Rather than change them all out or take it to a garage I'd like to try and diagnose it myself. I could buy a code reader, but a friend has an OBD 2 cable I could use (I think). With this in mind there appear to be a few freeware bits of software that are capable of reading codes and resetting them. Do you think it's worth me having a go and does anyone have and words of wisdom of knowledge of any free software? I don't want to mess the ECU up but I'm quite interested to have a go.

thanks

Dan

MikeRJ - 14/6/12 at 02:59 PM

If you friends cable is the simple VAGCOM type interface (i.e. for VAG group cars) then it will not work on a Mini. If it's some other type of interface, then you need to be sure that whatever software you want to use supports it.

contaminated - 14/6/12 at 03:01 PM

I believe it is VAG cable - it was for use on his Seat. Answers my question I think then. Thanks.

contaminated - 14/6/12 at 03:07 PM

Slightly redundant thread actually. I remembered a mate who does my MOTs. He's going to plug it in next week if some decent fuel doesn't clear it over the weekend.

britishtrident - 14/6/12 at 03:30 PM

Really not a good idea to run around with the EML on it could up costing you both cats, especially as the clone dongles only cost a few Jensons complete with software on ebay,, just Ebay on OBD.

contaminated - 14/6/12 at 03:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Really not a good idea to run around with the EML on it could up costing you both cats, especially as the clone dongles only cost a few Jensons complete with software on ebay,, just Ebay on OBD.


I would agree with you, although several people I've spoken to seem to think this is quite common on Minis and could be down to a dodgy batch of fuel. I will just put some decent fuel in it and take to the garage to check i think.

britishtrident - 14/6/12 at 07:41 PM

Misfires can turn cats into rubble with a single backfire if you are sure the problem is water in the petrol stick some Dry Fuel additive in the tank , but modern engines don't take well to diagnosis by lottery OBD2 isn't perfect but it gives a lot more clues. This forum has a way above average spectrum of knowledge I don't know the MINI forum some other forums out there have a fair big quota of dubious advice. If you have rough running or misfire under acceleration then the old firm of Coil Pack, Plug Leads and Spark plugs are the main suspects.