Which diagnostic code reader?
Discussion
Hi all,
I have read that I can buy a diagnostic unti for displaying fault codes. Steve Heath book refers to a Gunsons unit which is about £25, and a previous post in this forum mentions one bought on Ebay for £9.
When I search Ebay for an EEC IV diagnostic unit it brings up Gunson units for £140.
Does anyone know which type I should look for?
Cheers,
Steve.
I have read that I can buy a diagnostic unti for displaying fault codes. Steve Heath book refers to a Gunsons unit which is about £25, and a previous post in this forum mentions one bought on Ebay for £9.
When I search Ebay for an EEC IV diagnostic unit it brings up Gunson units for £140.
Does anyone know which type I should look for?
Cheers,
Steve.
I have an original TVR star tester specific to the 2.9 as used by the factory - I am happy to loan it out to fellow S owners to help diagnose any running probs if they just cover the post costs - Tim (Elfit) has it at the moment and has just used it to succesfully pinpoint his misfiring problems.
Graham
Graham
Diagnostic socket is by the ECU with a cover on it - there was a pic in a previous thread, but as I've said before I can't do a search from work (don't know why always returns "nothing found").
To use the diagnostic equipement you follow the instructions and it runs through a full sequence with you writing down codes. You then look up the codes and correct each fault in turn working through the system until it runs through the diagnostic sequence an gives a "no fault" code. It takes time and patience.
To use the diagnostic equipement you follow the instructions and it runs through a full sequence with you writing down codes. You then look up the codes and correct each fault in turn working through the system until it runs through the diagnostic sequence an gives a "no fault" code. It takes time and patience.
Harry1972M said:
I have an original TVR star tester specific to the 2.9 as used by the factory - I am happy to loan it out to fellow S owners to help diagnose any running probs if they just cover the post costs - Tim (Elfit) has it at the moment and has just used it to succesfully pinpoint his misfiring problems.
Graham
Hi Graham,Graham
Thanks for the kind offer. If we could arrange this I would be more than happy to pay postage.
What do you need me to do?
Thanks,
Steve
Harry1972M said:
I have an original TVR star tester specific to the 2.9 as used by the factory - I am happy to loan it out to fellow S owners to help diagnose any running probs if they just cover the post costs - Tim (Elfit) has it at the moment and has just used it to succesfully pinpoint his misfiring problems.
Graham
Do you have any details / pics of this to see if we can track any more down?Graham
I assume its a ford part??
As Graham says I have it here. I am happy to post it on, but obviously I'd need Graham's approval first. It would be best if you mail him off board first and then he can pass the message onto me.
The test is a three stage one. Plug in tester into ecu. Firstly run test with ignition on but engine off. The display shows codes. The second test is the "waggle test" ~ waggle wires and see if led on tester goes out. This is as far as I got as it was then I found a fault.
The third atage is to have engine running. Once again codes will show on display and there is a guide to show what each code means.
Running the tests seems pretty straightforward. Interpreting the results may be a little more complex but for me it was great. It told me there was a wire loose and it just took a bit of waggling to find which one.
Please note that "waggling" is an official technical term quoted in the manual. Not a term that I have made up!
When I get a mo i'll post a picture and details of the tester
Cheers
Tim
The test is a three stage one. Plug in tester into ecu. Firstly run test with ignition on but engine off. The display shows codes. The second test is the "waggle test" ~ waggle wires and see if led on tester goes out. This is as far as I got as it was then I found a fault.
The third atage is to have engine running. Once again codes will show on display and there is a guide to show what each code means.
Running the tests seems pretty straightforward. Interpreting the results may be a little more complex but for me it was great. It told me there was a wire loose and it just took a bit of waggling to find which one.
Please note that "waggling" is an official technical term quoted in the manual. Not a term that I have made up!
When I get a mo i'll post a picture and details of the tester
Cheers
Tim
Elfit said:
As Graham says I have it here. I am happy to post it on, but obviously I'd need Graham's approval first. It would be best if you mail him off board first and then he can pass the message onto me.
The test is a three stage one. Plug in tester into ecu. Firstly run test with ignition on but engine off. The display shows codes. The second test is the "waggle test" ~ waggle wires and see if led on tester goes out. This is as far as I got as it was then I found a fault.
The third atage is to have engine running. Once again codes will show on display and there is a guide to show what each code means.
Running the tests seems pretty straightforward. Interpreting the results may be a little more complex but for me it was great. It told me there was a wire loose and it just took a bit of waggling to find which one.
Please note that "waggling" is an official technical term quoted in the manual. Not a term that I have made up!
When I get a mo i'll post a picture and details of the tester
Cheers
Tim
SteveThe test is a three stage one. Plug in tester into ecu. Firstly run test with ignition on but engine off. The display shows codes. The second test is the "waggle test" ~ waggle wires and see if led on tester goes out. This is as far as I got as it was then I found a fault.
The third atage is to have engine running. Once again codes will show on display and there is a guide to show what each code means.
Running the tests seems pretty straightforward. Interpreting the results may be a little more complex but for me it was great. It told me there was a wire loose and it just took a bit of waggling to find which one.
Please note that "waggling" is an official technical term quoted in the manual. Not a term that I have made up!
When I get a mo i'll post a picture and details of the tester
Cheers
Tim
Mine isn't the Ford STAR tester, but it does those same three tests. You're welcome to give it a try.
If anyone fancies building a tester then there is one here: http://www.graynada.co.uk/ ...and go to the FCR menu.
I find it easier to use than the Gunsons one because you don't have to count the flashes of the LED.
I find it easier to use than the Gunsons one because you don't have to count the flashes of the LED.
jimed said:
I read somewhere that Gunson do one tester for the non cat and another for the cat engines so if you do go for one get the right one for you.
Jim
Mine does both there is a difference in the early and late ECUs, but both are covered it is just the codes that are different according to the manual and the Haynes bookJim
Gunsons do two types, with a 3-pin or a 5-pin connector. They list the 3-pin for engines with cats and the 5-pin for the earlier non-cat engines. My non-cat S3 has a 3-pin connector.
I think the connectors are the only difference between the two the Gunson manual lists all the codes for both engine types and for the cossie.
I think the connectors are the only difference between the two the Gunson manual lists all the codes for both engine types and for the cossie.
LastS4:
Hi Graham,
Thanks for the kind offer. If we could arrange this I would be more than happy to pay postage.
What do you need me to do?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
Just mail me through my profile with an address and as Tim has kindly offered to do the honours with the postage side of things we can get the tester down to you .. I am perfectly happy for any fellow S'ers to use just as long as I can keep track on where it is.. I've personally never used it but Tim has obviously had some success so that makes him our resident expert now
Graham
Hi Graham,
Thanks for the kind offer. If we could arrange this I would be more than happy to pay postage.
What do you need me to do?
Thanks,
Steve
Steve,
Just mail me through my profile with an address and as Tim has kindly offered to do the honours with the postage side of things we can get the tester down to you .. I am perfectly happy for any fellow S'ers to use just as long as I can keep track on where it is.. I've personally never used it but Tim has obviously had some success so that makes him our resident expert now
Graham
Harry1972M said:
Steve,
Just mail me through my profile with an address and as Tim has kindly offered to do the honours with the postage side of things we can get the tester down to you .. I am perfectly happy for any fellow S'ers to use just as long as I can keep track on where it is.. I've personally never used it but Tim has obviously had some success so that makes him our resident expert now
Graham
Thanks,Just mail me through my profile with an address and as Tim has kindly offered to do the honours with the postage side of things we can get the tester down to you .. I am perfectly happy for any fellow S'ers to use just as long as I can keep track on where it is.. I've personally never used it but Tim has obviously had some success so that makes him our resident expert now
Graham
I have emailed you my address, let me know if you need any more info.
Hopefully will find plenty of codes to fix.
I have ordered up an ECU coolant sensor today from Ford - thought I might as well change it and then I know its ok. Worth £22 to rule it out. I am going to check the results against the original before fitting though.
Steve.
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