Code readers?

[thinfourth2]

Seeing that i am now running 2 modernish cars i have decided to buy a code reader.

The brother inlaw has one from fleabay which was 20 pounds

Not being a huge fan of cheap is best i am planning on buying one a bit better

So how much should i spend?

And what would people reccomend

The current 98 vintage ford slocus has its airbag light on so i would like to know why

I'm not buying it just for the slocus

[stevieturbo]

A code reader is only that, so you really dont need to spend much.

But at 1998, it's highly unlikely it will read anything on that car, and as far as ABS/Airbags etc. The basic EOBD code readers dont cover those anyway.

So for that car, it may well be a waste of money.

[thinfourth2]

stevieturbo said:

A code reader is only that, so you really dont need to spend much.

But at 1998, it's highly unlikely it will read anything on that car, and as far as ABS/Airbags etc. The basic EOBD code readers dont cover those anyway.

So for that car, it may well be a waste of money.

So i should just scrap the focus then?

But i'm not just looking at the focus

We also have a 2001 nissian micra, a 2004 Honda accord, and i plan on buying many other cars of brand unknown

So rather then waste money i would rather buy something that will cover almost everything and let me fault find rather then taking it to a garage full of fkwits who will keep replacing parts until the light goes out.

I want a diganostic tool

[stevieturbo]

thinfourth2 said:

So i should just scrap the focus then?

But i'm not just looking at the focus

We also have a 2001 nissian micra, a 2004 Honda accord, and i plan on buying many other cars of brand unknown

So rather then waste money i would rather buy something that will cover almost everything and let me fault find rather then taking it to a garage full of fkwits who will keep replacing parts until the light goes out.

I want a diganostic tool

Why would you scrap it ?

If you want a diagnostic/scan tool to cover all models, expect to pay several thousand pounds. And even then it probably wont cover everything. Often multiple systems are required.

A cheap code reader will give basic codes for most vehicles 2001+, but it wont guarantee all vehicles. You could spend hundreds of pounds and still not get a generic code reader that does it all.
And none at that price will cover ABS and airbags. That's just how it is.

And TBH, if all you are doing is blindly reading codes. All that will happen is you'll be the fkwit changing parts after reading what it says whether or not that is the actual fault or not.

A scanner/code reader is but one tool to help diagnose. The codes they offer isnt always the actual problem, as there are so many factors to consider. So a scan tool that gives actual sensor feedback etc is much better to have, but of course more expensive. And most people dont have a clue how to use those either. That is why it's so difficult to find a garage that knows what they are doing. It requires a brain to interpret the readings and to use that to make a diagnosis, along with other tests.

[thinfourth2]

stevieturbo said:

A scanner/code reader is but one tool to help diagnose. The codes they offer isnt always the actual problem, as there are so many factors to consider. So a scan tool that gives actual sensor feedback etc is much better to have, but of course more expensive. And most people dont have a clue how to use those either. That is why it's so difficult to find a garage that knows what they are doing. It requires a brain to interpret the readings and to use that to make a diagnosis, along with other tests.

Okay so what kind of money do i have to spend to get a useful tool

When i said code reader its because i haven't got a clue exactly what a code reader is

I know lots about control systems in industry but haven't got a clue how cars work. I don't know if they use standard stuff like 4-20mA etc.

I'd be far happier spending a few hundred on something useful then spending less on something useless

[stevieturbo]

thinfourth2 said:

Okay so what kind of money do i have to spend to get a useful tool

When i said code reader its because i haven't got a clue exactly what a code reader is

I know lots about control systems in industry but haven't got a clue how cars work. I don't know if they use standard stuff like 4-20mA etc.

I'd be far happier spending a few hundred on something useful then spending less on something useless

As the name implies. A code reader reads codes. Nothing more.

A scan tool usually reads codes, but can give some sensor feedback which is more useful.

But there simply is not one unit that covers everything. And depends whether you want a handheld ( easier ) or a laptop based setup ( often cheaper )

Of course an automotive multimeter and oscilloscope are also very handy tools to have for checking stuff.

You'd be better spending your money on some books first perhaps, and then selecting what tools you might require. Most systems on cars are in essence relatively straight forward, but in reality testing and getting access is anything but straightforward. As lots of wiring and sensors are awkward to get at, wiring information is hard come by ( or expensive ) etc etc.

Haynes did some books years ago covering basic diagnostics and would do as a start. Bosch do their Automotive Handbook which explains many systems in a lot of detail. Perhaps too much sometimes lol

But even decent generic scan tools still wont cover airbags and ABS etc. They are often separate systems, and more usually found in marque or vehicle specific diagnostic equipment. Again you're into big money. That doesnt mean ABS systems or most of them cant be tested with other tools. The sensors are straightforward and the signals they output. Wiring is wiring and so on.

So is it purely a hobby, or are you trying to use this to earn money ?

These places sell such equipment and may be better placed to advise something to suit your needs. Phone them to discuss

http://www.ilexa.co.uk/
http://www.gendan.co.uk/

[thinfourth2]

stevieturbo said:

So is it purely a hobby, or are you trying to use this to earn money ?

Trying to stop me having to rely on feckwits who tell me they need to weld a new car onto the wing mirror because the airbag light is on

[stevieturbo]

Generally if the airbag light in, there is a fault within the airbag system lol.

Could be as simple as a dodgy connection, or as severe as a faulty control unit.

Connections etc are easiest to check.

And as already said, Airbags, ABS etc are secondary systems and dont fall under the OBD in most cases. Unless you get marque specific diagnostic equipment.
So you need to talk to suppliers, possibly end users and decide exactly how much you need, and how much you want to spend.

To get good coverage of a lot of vehicles will cost 4 figures. There is little doubt about that.

[anonymous-user]

As a general word of warning, please don't go just poking test probes or loose bits of wire into anything to do with your airbag system. (at least not when you are sat in the car directly behind said air bag...........) I'd hate for anything other than your wallet to get damaged ;-)

[Diag]

The cheap code readers are EOBD/OBD11 scanners. I would suggest you read up on what EOBD is, or the American OBD11, and when you understand what the system is then you will better understand the capabilities of the cheap code readers that are available. Basically they are limited by the system.

At one end of the spectrum you have the cheap code readers and at the other you have specialists with maybe 100k worth of equipment. Along with the equipment costs they will have annual subscription costs for software and data. Without the right data you can’t do a proper diagnosis effectively. The other thing is knowledge. If you don’t know how a system works you have no hope of doing an efficient diagnosis.

Leaving all that aside, you can buy a reasonably capable all make scan tool for reasonable money. Buy a used Launch or similar, maybe about £700. Its far from a professional tool, like most aftermarket scanners but that’s another topic, but very suitable to start with.

[thinfourth2]

stevieturbo said:

Haynes did some books years ago covering basic diagnostics and would do as a start. Bosch do their Automotive Handbook which explains many systems in a lot of detail. Perhaps too much sometimes lol

So is there a good book to start with as that might be a better purchase then a reader/scanner so i can know more then the garage monkeys

[stevieturbo]

I think I seen a book on one of the sites I already mentioned, about using code readers etc.

Or be innovative and google books on engine management etc, or the Bosch Handbook I mentioned.

Part of the reason so many cant use diagnostic scanners....is because they too expect expect the scanner to do all the work and tell them what's wrong.

Scanners etc are but tools, and like scopes, meters and other devices. Just one tool for diagnosing. The most important is the brain to decipher the information.

Edited by stevieturbo on Friday 12th August 22:08