I've been wondering about a OBD fault code reader for a while. Especially now that SWIMBOS clio has a warning light on (oops sorry it's now off). However it's got me thinking and as you guys are the gr8 oracles tell me this.
1 If since around a while back (can't remeber date) OBD2 has been standardised on many cars why do so many fault code readers seem to be model related.
2 most of them won't do abs or srs etc only engine management.
3 What one to get in order to be most versatile/helpfull to my freinds and rellies.
I've seen some that you can setup on the lappy with a usb port/serial port and a convertor type box with the OBD plug on it.
I was quoted today £25 just for a code read from a local garage (the guy's supposed to be a mate). I know it prolly less than the going rate but I am a tight git. If I had my own one I'd do my mates for free (tight git but good mate to have)
So tell me all your secrets and warnings folks I'm all ears.

Remember OBD 2 is just the sysytem used to transfer the data you will still need the required software.

Also some dedicated fault code readers don't use the OBD 2 system but a much sinpler system.

i bought a cheap code reader off ebay, only about 20quid, it works on most new cars except VAG cars as you can buy a seperate VAG code reader. i work in a dealer and we dont charge to read codes, just to rectify them. i often use my 20quid reader in work just to see how many cars it works on, and so far its been qiute a few. well worth the money,

quote:

---

i bought a cheap code reader off ebay, only about 20quid, it works on most new cars except VAG cars as you can buy a seperate VAG code reader. i work in a dealer and we dont charge to read codes, just to rectify them. i often use my 20quid reader in work just to see how many cars it works on, and so far its been qiute a few. well worth the money,

---

OBD & OBD 2 are just standards for getting to the data on an ecu by virtuue of a common plug out. The problem is that the manufacturers are still being very selfish about the need for the cars to come back to them so they build in sub code systems so that although the jack out iss the same the computer coding needed to decode the information is still manufacturer and even model specific. Good intensions by Brussels but poor implementation.

Thi s one has good reviews on the Mondeo forum I frequent.

I have no personal experience, it's just the one that's mostly recommended by other forum users

[Edited on 5/7/07 by UncleFista]

try this, [url]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/L-K-VAG-VW-AUDI-U281-CODE-READER-SCANNER-OBD2-CAN-BUS_W0QQitemZ220125566867QQihZ012QQcategoryZ30921QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem[/ur l]

it aint working!! just type in code reader on ebay and a load will come up, there are some good ones on there just have a good look.

[Edited on 5/7/07 by COREdevelopments]

The fixed EBay Linky

cheers Mc!

quote:

---

Originally posted by COREdevelopments
try this,

it aint working!! just type in code reader on ebay and a load will come up, there are some good ones on there just have a good look.

---