Vehicle Diagnostic Equipment

ntgar

Hello, im looking into buying vehicle diagnostic equipment just wondering what people would suggest, i was thinking of the Launch but if anyone has used a other or more user friendly type, any suggestions, thanks

ntgar

Anybody any ideas

crosshair1

Any specific makes that you work on? Is it just general stuff?

ntgar

crosshair1 wrote: »

Any specific makes that you work on? Is it just general stuff?

Thanks for your reply, I would like to be able to work on everthing i have vag com but would like to be able to do things with cars from the Asian market, ive priced a few and they are quite expensive eg €1300- €2700, i was just looking to see has anyone used them eg something like the Launch diagnostic equipment

crosshair1

I use the launch, I have it about 5 yrs.
Everyone has their own favourite when it comes to these tools, the launch I consider to be pretty good as a general scanner, updates are frequent, mine is the bluetooth version and slow in comparison with the latest master, but still does the trick.
No single scanner will do all that you need, you will find areas that arent covered well in the software.
I also use a carman lite which is also a pretty good tool (its very fast to access systems) but is not wide enough coverage to be your single tool.
VCDS is mandatory at the cost, Vaux com bit more expensive but worth it if you do a significant amount of opels.
Dec superscan is also definitely worth a look but may also be too limited in coverage (but it does have a lot of programming capability)
I think the launch is about the cheapest tool to get started in the market and this is probably going to burn up most of your budget.
Also worth looking at WurthWOW or Autocom Pro( same tools diff software)

ntgar

Thanks for that yeah i was just thinkin of the launch as it seemed to do most ( but i know not all) ill have a look at the others you said.

Da11

crosshair1 wrote: »

I use the launch, I have it about 5 yrs.
Everyone has their own favourite when it comes to these tools, the launch I consider to be pretty good as a general scanner, updates are frequent, mine is the bluetooth version and slow in comparison with the latest master, but still does the trick.
No single scanner will do all that you need, you will find areas that arent covered well in the software.
I also use a carman lite which is also a pretty good tool (its very fast to access systems) but is not wide enough coverage to be your single tool.
VCDS is mandatory at the cost, Vaux com bit more expensive but worth it if you do a significant amount of opels.
Dec superscan is also definitely worth a look but may also be too limited in coverage (but it does have a lot of programming capability)
I think the launch is about the cheapest tool to get started in the market and this is probably going to burn up most of your budget.
Also worth looking at WurthWOW or Autocom Pro( same tools diff software)

Hi,
Have you ever come across with sykes pickavant diagnostic equipment? I am interested in second hand one..
And Is launch equipment made by the autoboss crowd?

Ghost Estate

Maybe start off with a ELM327 USB thingy, there is free software out there for them and mine only cost 15 pound

taintabird

a friend of mine has the wurth wow and is very happy with it, I have snap on its ok on European stuff but jap stuff can be tricky I am currently looking to change to Bosch

billbond4

yeah I have one of those "ELM327 USB" cables and free OBDII software that I got online.
Handy for checking fault codes in the Misses VW Golf and my Honda Accord,

Plug

I'd recommend snap Solas pro. Very good! You get what you pay for.

shamwari

Da11 wrote: »

Hi,
Have you ever come across with sykes pickavant diagnostic equipment? I am interested in second hand one..
And Is launch equipment made by the autoboss crowd?

Sykes do one called and ACR4 which is pretty good. Some of the earlier Sykes kits have interchangeable pods which serve specific makes. Again these are quite good but you do need a spread of Pods to cover all the common makes.

The Launch X431 is considered the daddy of them all. I've never used it myself but anyone who has used it swears by it.

Ditto far the Snap-on, and it supposedly is very good indeed, especially with some of the earlier OBD stuff and "non-European" stuff.

I've used Ford's IDS, GM's Tech2, and Fiat's ECU-Scan. These are manufacturer specific but are excellent tools. The latter is available relatively cheaply on the web and works with a modified or adapted ELM, giving functions available in a main dealer.

I've shared use of an Autoboss V30 and its excellent. It covers just about every car make and functions, including immobiliser. I've also used another tool call a BrainBee (on loan) and I found it quite good as well, although the display on this particular scanner was weak to read under very bright light

The likes of the high end Autoboss / Launch / Snap-on are excellent in day to day service and perfect tools for a busy workshop. The downside to these is that they are expensive to buy and require software updates to keep them compatible with newer cars and systems. As such, this makes them uneconomic for home or DIY use.

The ELM based scan tools are much cheaper and are ideal for basic powertrain troubleshooting across more or less all makes. I use EngineCheckPro as my basic scantool and its excellent even for workshop use. Again ELM's are not without their problems, and as I've mentioned in other threads here before, certain Chinese manufactured ELM's are very poor quality and won't work with certain cars or scantool packages.

Really though, there's scan tools out there that suit all tastes, needs and pockets. It just depends what you are gonna use them for...:cool:

ntgar

shamwari wrote: »

Sykes do one called and ACR4 which is pretty good. Some of the earlier Sykes kits have interchangeable pods which serve specific makes. Again these are quite good but you do need a spread of Pods to cover all the common makes.

The Launch X431 is considered the daddy of them all. I've never used it myself but anyone who has used it swears by it.

Ditto far the Snap-on, and it supposedly is very good indeed, especially with some of the earlier OBD stuff and "non-European" stuff.

I've used Ford's IDS, GM's Tech2, and Fiat's ECU-Scan. These are manufacturer specific but are excellent tools. The latter is available relatively cheaply on the web and works with a modified or adapted ELM, giving functions available in a main dealer.

I've shared use of an Autoboss V30 and its excellent. It covers just about every car make and functions, including immobiliser. I've also used another tool call a BrainBee (on loan) and I found it quite good as well, although the display on this particular scanner was weak to read under very bright light

The likes of the high end Autoboss / Launch / Snap-on are excellent in day to day service and perfect tools for a busy workshop. The downside to these is that they are expensive to buy and require software updates to keep them compatible with newer cars and systems. As such, this makes them uneconomic for home or DIY use.

The ELM based scan tools are much cheaper and are ideal for basic powertrain troubleshooting across more or less all makes. I use EngineCheckPro as my basic scantool and its excellent even for workshop use. Again ELM's are not without their problems, and as I've mentioned in other threads here before, certain Chinese manufactured ELM's are very poor quality and won't work with certain cars or scantool packages.

Really though, there's scan tools out there that suit all tastes, needs and pockets. It just depends what you are gonna use them for...:cool:

Thanks for the info, id love the launch x431 its very good but i wouldnt be using it every day so hard to come to terms with the cost, just wondering have you ever used any on trucks i would do more with trucks and wondering what would be the best diagnostic equipment for them.

Da11

I have a van '07. put it thru diagnostic test - the result came out bad crankshaft sensor, so:
diagnostics...............30 euro
new sensor .... 70 euro
to fit this sensor.... 50 euro
Van still giving problems!
so if you're getting diagnostic equipment you should get an oscilograph/simulation function as well to see whether sensor is bad or wiring or ecu?


Has anyone used autoboss pc-max? the manufacturer says it's the same as v30 , but you have to use it with your own laptop( no main unit), hence the price is very low. Another thing about Launch or autoboss - loads chinese manufacturers offer them , how to find reliable supplier?

shamwari

Da11 wrote: »

I have a van '07. put it thru diagnostic test - the result came out bad crankshaft sensor, so:
diagnostics...............30 euro
new sensor .... 70 euro
to fit this sensor.... 50 euro
Van still giving problems!
so if you're getting diagnostic equipment you should get an oscilograph/simulation function as well to see whether sensor is bad or wiring or ecu?

A scope is a very useful tool, but with this fault, I'd like to see what the €30 diagnosis came back with.

Da11 wrote: »

Has anyone used autoboss pc-max? the manufacturer says it's the same as v30 , but you have to use it with your own laptop( no main unit), hence the price is very low. Another thing about Launch or autoboss - loads chinese manufacturers offer them , how to find reliable supplier?

The Autoboss website lists "unauthorsied dealers", so i'd avoid someone listed on that for a start. I've no idea what AB PC-Max is. Never heard of or used it I'm afraid.

shamwari

Can I also add that this Months Car Mechanics Magazine has an excellent article with tests of budget hand-held scanners, and some brief advice on troubleshooting and terminology. It's well worth a read for anyone who does their own home DIY or is interested in same.