Fault code reader

b318isp

I'm thinking of getting a basic fault code reader for Christmas. Ideally I'd like:

- Read Ford canbus(?) on cars from ~2005 onwards
- OBD2 (ideally covering BMWs in the 1990s)
- Display faults from all systems, not just engine
- Fault clearing

I don't want to spend massive money - perhaps up to €75. Any suggestions? Anything especially to watch out for - either to avoid or ensure?

I have looked at these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxiscan-MS509-Autel/dp/B001LHXTO0/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1351072909&sr=8-16

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autel-MS509-Diagnostic-fault-reader/dp/B004WN88UU/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1351072909&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.co.uk/VgateScan-Reader-Scanner-Protocol-Diagnostic/dp/B008DO5LG8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1351072909&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quality-Engine-D900-Scanner-version/dp/B001C9XEBK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1351072909&sr=8-3

-Corkie-

Have you a smartphone????

Silvera

I too am considering buying a fault code reader like you listed above.

'Car Mechanics' magazine did a review of code readers last year and afaik the first two you listed came high in the final rankings.

The last (D900) reader looks like a nice piece of kit (nice carry case too) and has a few good reviews on amazon. However, I would be a bit hesitant to buy it due to lack of any brand name on it.

b318isp

-Corkie- wrote: »

Have you a smartphone????

Yep.

Wetbench4

If you have an android get yourself a cheap obd reader and a little app called Torque. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en

It has loads of realtime readouts from your engine and reads and clears faults. I've been using it for nearly a year and its brilliant. I've never had any faults so ive never tested that part of it.

http://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Main_Page

muckwarrior

+1 for Torque. It's awesome. You can even have it log each journey to the web where you can later login and review all the data.

b318isp

Will it read non drivetrain faults though, e.g. aircon/reversing sensors?

Wetbench4

b318isp wrote: »

Will it read non drivetrain faults though, e.g. aircon/reversing sensors?

I'm not sure about this but i do know it doesn't show pending faults, only actual faults. It depends on the car aswell but for the price, its definitely worth researching into. Also, from reading the reviews, the app creator responds well to feedback, as in when a email is sent about an issue he will look into it.

Feedback email taken from google play; piemmm20@googlemail.com

Send him a mail and see if he responds.

shamwari

As a rule, any decent fault code reader will give you a fault code provided it puts the engine management light on. Some may give you pending codes but not all.

However in more recent times, many manufacturers cars will not yield up non-EOBD codes that don't put the light on and Ford is a case in point with codes between P1000 and P1999. I've seen 2007 Focus with the dash displaying dire messages like "Engine Systems Failure" and running in limp mode. The EML was off and no fault codes were readable with a generic reader. Plugged a high-end autoboss in and up came the meaningful the codes straight away.

The more expensive scan tools that do work are usually licensed to run a copy of the car manufacturers software to allow the reader to access the codes. So the generic readers will only grab generic EOBD codes that put the EML light on.

Kenny Logins

b318isp wrote: »

Will it read non drivetrain faults though, e.g. aircon/reversing sensors?

AFAIK It will report any code stored on the ECU and present the option to look it up on a database. I have used it to read a misfire and emissions purge valve fault, the latter without the CEL lit.

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/

b318isp

One issue I have is parking sensors on our '07 Mk. 3 galaxy. Ford said it was a weak battery (confirmed low by multimeter when stopped) or alternator (confirmed ok when running). I bought one sensor and substituted it around all 8 sensors without success.

Having used VAG-Com in the past to read faults on our previous car, I'd love to be able to do the same to see what the issue is now.

richardsheil

b318isp wrote: »

One issue I have is parking sensors on our '07 Mk. 3 galaxy. Ford said it was a weak battery (confirmed low by multimeter when stopped) or alternator (confirmed ok when running). I bought one sensor and substituted it around all 8 sensors without success.

Having used VAG-Com in the past to read faults on our previous car, I'd love to be able to do the same to see what the issue is now.

So why did you try substituting sensor when you have confirmed a low battery??

b318isp

richardsheil wrote: »

So why did you try substituting sensor when you have confirmed a low battery??

Bought a new battery and it made no difference. Then assumed it was a faulty sensor...

anthony4335

The Autel ony reads drive train and engine on my Saab.

Jack breen

muckwarrior wrote: »

+1 for Torque. It's awesome. You can even have it log each journey to the web where you can later login and review all the data.

Can it reset airbag lights?

MarkR

b318isp wrote: »

Will it read non drivetrain faults though, e.g. aircon/reversing sensors?

It won't get all the details like vagcom (sp), but I use it all the time. You can use it with a bluetooth odb scanner to get live vehicle info. I use it to reset a glow plug light ( I need to change them - it's in the boot!)

Vag com read that my passenger wing mirror isn't heating up. Torque doesn't show that. I got the full version on my phone, felt obliged as I use it so much!

Tea 1000

Any links for the cables needed to connect to the phone?

ofcork

Silvera wrote: »

I too am considering buying a fault code reader like you listed above.

'Car Mechanics' magazine did a review of code readers last year and afaik the first two you listed came high in the final rankings.

The last (D900) reader looks like a nice piece of kit (nice carry case too) and has a few good reviews on amazon. However, I would be a bit hesitant to buy it due to lack of any brand name on it.

I bought that one but it wont give a code for my eml although it will switch it off.

Kenny Logins

Tea 1000 wrote: »

Any links for the cables needed to connect to the phone?

Bluetooth.

Jack breen

Can anyone tell me if it resets airbag lights?

kc66

Jack breen wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if it resets airbag lights?

It couldn't reset mine. Have reset the engine management light for other problems in a couple of cars.

Tea 1000

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Bluetooth.

But what do you plug into the canbus?

CrowdedHouse

a bluetooth dongle thingie

Wisesmurf

This sort of thing

Kenny Logins

Tea 1000 wrote: »

But what do you plug into the canbus?

Ah, sorry, I get you now. ^^ See posts above.

Tea 1000

Wisesmurf wrote: »

This sort of thing

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Ah, sorry, I get you now. ^^ See posts above.

Thanks folks.
So is Torque the best app out there? I assume you can reset error messages with this also yes? Any other options worth considering or more comprehensive solutions?
Also, what other interfaces are there, what are the common ones? Don't they change every few years?

CreepingDeath

b318isp wrote: »

Will it read non drivetrain faults though, e.g. aircon/reversing sensors?

I've a Honda Civic 2007 which did show a low pressure warning in the aircon, which didn't show up in any engine light.
I knew the aircon needed to be re-gassed, but it was nice to see that Torque and a cheap bluetooth OBD II connector would read it.