OBD reading - main dealer vs garage.
Discussion
I have an 08 Ford Transit (motorhome 
) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.
But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
Bill said:
I have an 08 Ford Transit (motorhome ) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.
But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
As a motorhome what MPG is it doing?) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
Is it a PVC (panel van conversion) or coach built?
Have you got the code?
Bill said:
I have an 08 Ford Transit (motorhome ) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.
But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
Put the main dealer to the test... ) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
donaircooleone said:
Bill said:
I have an 08 Ford Transit (motorhome ) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.
But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
As a motorhome what MPG is it doing?) that's drinking fuel so I took it to my local garage to plug in to see if there are any error codes. He used a Snap On branded computer to read the diagnostic codes and one non-relevant code is registered. So far so good.But, the main dealer i spoke to was a bit sniffy about it and suggested they'd be able to get more info.
Who is right?
Is it a PVC (panel van conversion) or coach built?
It's a very valid point. A coacbuilt motorhome is effectively a transit luton full of furniture, with weight, wind resistance and fuel consumption to match i'm afraid.
Have you got the code?
Superhoop said:
A Snap on tester will read all generic OBDII codes
A dealers diagnostic tool will read all OBDII diagnostic codes + any that are manufacturer specific
However, that doesn't mean that in this instance, the dealer can read any more than the indy can
A dealers diagnostic tool will read all OBDII diagnostic codes + any that are manufacturer specific
However, that doesn't mean that in this instance, the dealer can read any more than the indy can
Le TVR said:
I think you'll find that both will read all OBDII error codes.
The snap on will also display in text what the generic codes mean but not the manufacturer specific ones.
The dealer one will display text for all their codes.
So, does that mean the Snap On one won't display the specific codes, or just won't translate them? There was one code shown, that wasn't current.The snap on will also display in text what the generic codes mean but not the manufacturer specific ones.
The dealer one will display text for all their codes.
It is a coach built van with overcab bed, so I'd expect low 20s on a run. However it drained a tank (Brimmed it, the light came on as I got home) in 250 miles. I haven't brimmed it again but best case that's 75 litres, which makes 15 mpg on a 70mph motorway run followed by an hour of steady A roads.
Superhoop said:
A Snap on tester will read all generic OBDII codes
A dealers diagnostic tool will read all OBDII diagnostic codes + any that are manufacturer specific
However, that doesn't mean that in this instance, the dealer can read any more than the indy can
What do you mean by 'manufacturer specific?'A dealers diagnostic tool will read all OBDII diagnostic codes + any that are manufacturer specific
However, that doesn't mean that in this instance, the dealer can read any more than the indy can
I thought the whole purpose of reading OBD codes was so anyone (with right equipment) could do this, hence it having to be 'standard'
It depends.
Mates have various scanners (Snap On Modus, Launch etc) and each has strengths and weaknesses and price doesn't seem to indicate quality of results plus it varies by car manufacturer.
None found any fault codes with my wife's XC90 so I gave in and visited a dealer, I was a bit shocked to find he downloaded 2 pages of results !
Mates have various scanners (Snap On Modus, Launch etc) and each has strengths and weaknesses and price doesn't seem to indicate quality of results plus it varies by car manufacturer.
None found any fault codes with my wife's XC90 so I gave in and visited a dealer, I was a bit shocked to find he downloaded 2 pages of results !
OBD codes are a list of about 1000 standardised codes, and a further collection of some manufacturer specific codes.
P0001-P0999 are the same for ever car, and on top of that, the codes from P1xxx will be manufacturer specific, so P1023 on a Ford will be different to P1023 on a Mitsubishi.
That gives manufacturers a bit of extra room for cars that have odd or unusual features.
The manufacturer specific codes can be in mode detail, for example you might have one P code (OBD code) for a bad lambda sensor, but 5-10 manufacturer specific ones like high readings, low readings, slow response, open circuit, short circuit etc.
The OBD/P code will point you in the right direction, but the manufacturer code can often be better, and in those examples above, the manufacturer code would be able to point you to wiring problems, disconnected plugs, old sensors or air leaks, and not just the usual garage fix of throwing a new sensor at the car and telling the customer that it's all fixed.
The level above, the Ford main dealer tool would be able to read all the Ford codes, and the OBD codes (but it wouldn't pay much attention to them) and also usually have some scripted tests done, so it would know expected sensor values, it would be able to try things and see if the sensors react as they should etc.
P0001-P0999 are the same for ever car, and on top of that, the codes from P1xxx will be manufacturer specific, so P1023 on a Ford will be different to P1023 on a Mitsubishi.
That gives manufacturers a bit of extra room for cars that have odd or unusual features.
The manufacturer specific codes can be in mode detail, for example you might have one P code (OBD code) for a bad lambda sensor, but 5-10 manufacturer specific ones like high readings, low readings, slow response, open circuit, short circuit etc.
The OBD/P code will point you in the right direction, but the manufacturer code can often be better, and in those examples above, the manufacturer code would be able to point you to wiring problems, disconnected plugs, old sensors or air leaks, and not just the usual garage fix of throwing a new sensor at the car and telling the customer that it's all fixed.
The level above, the Ford main dealer tool would be able to read all the Ford codes, and the OBD codes (but it wouldn't pay much attention to them) and also usually have some scripted tests done, so it would know expected sensor values, it would be able to try things and see if the sensors react as they should etc.
eldar said:
If you have an android device with bluetooth, get the Torque pro app - £2.95 and a bluetooth OBD2 adaptor about £12. Works a treat.
It does on everything else I've used it on but my Dads 57 plate Fiesta has an intermittent EML coming on and the engine going into safe mode-even with the bluetooth adaptor plugged in it read no codes. Same with a generic plug in code reader. Will try that forscan though...Edited by dome on Tuesday 12th February 20:49
Bill said:
So, does that mean the Snap On one won't display the specific codes, or just won't translate them? There was one code shown, that wasn't current.
It is a coach built van with overcab bed, so I'd expect low 20s on a run. However it drained a tank (Brimmed it, the light came on as I got home) in 250 miles. I haven't brimmed it again but best case that's 75 litres, which makes 15 mpg on a 70mph motorway run followed by an hour of steady A roads.
What is the manufacturer and model ? Will check our database for similar and report back It is a coach built van with overcab bed, so I'd expect low 20s on a run. However it drained a tank (Brimmed it, the light came on as I got home) in 250 miles. I haven't brimmed it again but best case that's 75 litres, which makes 15 mpg on a 70mph motorway run followed by an hour of steady A roads.
Is it a RWD transit?
Is it on the 3.5 ton chassis? And what engine.
Low 20's is generally acceptable if travelling at 60mph~ as overcabs really kill MPG.
Worth pointing out mate that a dealer tool might be able to give live readings for sensor outputs like the maf or map sensors... Not that you'd trust your average dealer technician to be able to diagnose based on it.
There are also plenty of indies with multi marque diagnostic tools like Autologic which do the same thing as the dealer tools...
There are also plenty of indies with multi marque diagnostic tools like Autologic which do the same thing as the dealer tools...
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