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Ford code reader
cliftyhanger - 9/2/23 at 07:10 PM

My dear BILs 2008 mondeo has failed its MOT, but only a series of easy to fix faults EXCEPT the SRS dash light is on. Apparently it has been doing it on and off for a few years, but tends to be on motre than off thesedays.

So it looks like I need an OBD scanner to get some clues. I have a basic stand alone, but not good enough to tell me anything useful. Any suggestions for something cheap and cheerful? I believe ther are some bluetooth dongles available, and an app? I have also seen mention of forscan.

Any pointers would be great before I buy something that doesn't do what I need. Ta.

gremlin1234 - 9/2/23 at 08:38 PM

start with torque, (the free lite version is good enough) certainly works on android, with cheep bluetooth units.
may not decode the fault, but should give the raw fault code, and can also monitor live.

I believe forscan is good too, but can easily get complex.

Mr Whippy - 10/2/23 at 12:59 PM

I've had issues with Bluetooth dongles trying to get them to run on Android devices or even my windows laptop although they work perfectly with Apple ones. Instead I bought a dongle with a USB lead and then had no issues.

big_wasa - 10/2/23 at 02:02 PM

Check and clean the plugs under the driver's seat.

adithorp - 11/2/23 at 02:26 AM

quote:
Originally posted by big_wasa
Check and clean the plugs under the driver's seat.


Commonest cause in my experience is dirty connectors under the seat to the seat belt stalks. Clean with contact cleaner and see if it hoes away.

cliftyhanger - 11/2/23 at 09:13 AM

Thanks chaps.
I had offered to have a go this coming Monday, but as usual no response yet.
I am hoping it si just some dirty/poor connections. I wil start under the seats.

I take it no dannger of airbags going off? Or should I disconnect the battery and leave it all to discharge?
Ta

adithorp - 12/2/23 at 03:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by cliftyhanger

I take it no dannger of airbags going off? Or should I disconnect the battery and leave it all to discharge?
Ta


Never had/bothered to and not had a belt pretentioner go off... yet.

stevebubs - 14/2/23 at 05:26 PM

I used Torque and Forscan on my Kuga and Mk3 Mondeo quite successfully

cliftyhanger - 15/2/23 at 08:43 AM

Had the car visit on Monday. Washer was blocked, but not the jet or teh one way valve (took them off and I could plow through easily enough) But teh washer tube was somehow blocked, 30psi fromn teh compressor shifted that and all sorted. But what on earth are teh electrics in the washer jet? a heater or something?

Horn, a rummage and wiggle sorted that.

Back box had a hole next to teh pipe exit, I offered to weld it but he declined (stupid, it was a 20 min job) and he is returning with £85 of new box today.

But the SRS. I ended up taking the seats right out as so simple. Lots of switch cleaner, wiggling etc and light is now out, but I am not convinced. I guess if it goes through the MoT then all is well.

Quick Q. If the emissions have passed, will they retest with the rear box fixed? I suspect not as if it fails the initial test it takes 10 mins to do a full test cycle. MoT testers don't like doing that.