Worth getting one of these? [Code scanner]

bungaro79

trying to get more into the car diy and was told a diagnostic kit could be a handy piece of equipment. would those in the know think either of the two below would be worth getting (as they are pretty cheap)??

thanks

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005N5HN7A/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A5845Q5NMIKH7

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxiscan-Diagnostic-Scanner-Reader-MS300/dp/B001LHVOVK/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_text_z

discodavie

bungaro79 wrote: »

trying to get more into the car diy and was told a diagnostic kit could be a handy piece of equipment. would those in the know think either of the two below would be worth getting (as they are pretty cheap)??

thanks

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005N5HN7A/ref=gno_cart_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A5845Q5NMIKH7

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxiscan-Diagnostic-Scanner-Reader-MS300/dp/B001LHVOVK/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_text_z

Short answer would be no.

They're code readers rather than diagnostics and pretty flimsy ones to be honest. If ya were interested in getting into that end if the DIY then go for a Chinese autocom but pay for the better ones they're about 150 to ireland plus import and run on most laptops and cover a good range to get in with.

That would be the best starter one but you'd need some working knowledge of mechanics to be good at getting the diagnosis right.

Point : diagnostics told me on a seat that abs pump was faulty , it was actually a fuse gone. Could have been expensive for my customer. So be careful.

ArnieSilvia

I'd say you need a live data stream with graph at a minimum:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Maxiscan-MS509-Autel/dp/B001LHXTO0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382232401&sr=8-1&keywords=ms509

Instead of scanner I'd go for scantool.net interface (I found it best for quick live data stream).

Also, you'd need to understand what you're doing. Clearing a fault without finding a root cause is not the way to go. It'll only cost more in parts later.

As suggested before, autocom is ok-ish for diagnostics but one might find it too generic.

For more serious problems (body related, can communication etc) I'd recommend factory interfaces ie lexia for citroen. That's different game though. Installation of software alone WILL put you off!!!

Another option is vehicle specific scanner, such as M608 for old Mitsubishi's which I'm forced to buy myself (old Jap import) .

Once you have a tool that you like you'll never regret it. You'll appreciate it when you come to buy a car, hook it up and find out that the abs, airbag etc extinguish with oil pressure and not on their own power.

Esel

ArnieSilvia wrote: »

Once you have a tool that you like you'll never regret it. You'll appreciate it when you come to buy a car, hook it up and find out that the abs, airbag etc extinguish with oil pressure and not on their own power.

Wait, are you saying that bogey sellers can make ABS and airbag lights turn off by some oil pressure-related trickery?

discodavie

No scanner or code reader can get the car to alter the oil pressure/turn off abs light for low pressure etc.

If (for example) you had an abs light on that showed a fault with low pressure but you couldnt afford to replace the pump a computer lad (and seriously dodgy mechanic) might read the ecu dump file and change working parameters for you but it would take longer with more skills than it would take to do the pump..

So it all relates to the OP's need, a half decent all rounder or work on his own motor only....

visual

What been said about more expensive or professional readers is true


That said cheap one will do very basic reading and often thats enough to get you out of trouble.
It will never be as good as profession readers.
Most petrol after 2001 and diesel 2004 can be read with most cheap readers.

Look up bluetooth elm327 on line if you have android phone or elm327 with usb cable to connect to your pc.

These can be got for around 20 euro or less
And a paid version of torque pro about 5 euro there is also some free software.

It will do for very basic reading on your car and their is limited live data readings

I can't comment on the two you linked to. Only guess they will read OBD2 engine codes.

ArnieSilvia

Esel wrote: »

Wait, are you saying that bogey sellers can make ABS and airbag lights turn off by some oil pressure-related trickery?

Of course you can - certainly on cars with separate warning lights (not one lcd screen). Previous owner in order to get my car pass the NCT had "check engine" connected by wire to oil pressure and its original electric path cut. The reason was a 3" straight through downpipe instead of pre-cat and also carbon canister taken out. Catalytic converter was replaced by de-cat already so wasn't bothered about it either.
It could have been done by re-flash of the ECU but correct interface would be required. As have been said, certain parameters can be modified so ECU won't take them into consideration (that was the case on my saab 9-5 Aero, Trionic 7)

However, doing those tricks is dodgy and might result in buyer coming back with a bit agressive attitude I think

bungaro79

thanks for the replies, i saw on another thread someone mentioned getting a bluetooth connection and to download torque pro for my smartphone so i might try that.