Lucas Fault code reader - where to buy ?

[bigdods]

Where would be the best place to buy a fault code reader ? I know they are advertised for hire right here on PH but I would like one of my own. Checked Ebay cant find any ....

[Cider Andy]

They come up on Ebay occasionally, but they are difficult to find. However, there's also this. I don't have any experience of it, but it costs about the same as a second-hand Lucas unit (if you can find one).

[jsr]

I've got one of those Bespoke Intelligent Systems readers (as in the link above). Really good, small, and has diagnosed a few problems already. I now leave it connected to the car, tucked away in the passenger footwell.

Make sure you have the correct connector though on the ECU loom.

[bigdods]

Result ! Thanks chaps :-)

[IainG]

I bought one of the genuine Range Rover ones last year from

www.dunsfold.com

Part number is PRC7067 - their website indicates 13 in stock!

[bigdods]

Hmm how much are dunsfold charging ? Tried to find out via the website but its pretty awful ! tried looking at the parts list but couldnt find anything and as its just a few thousand lines of text I gave up looking !

[rfisher]

This will probably get me sinbinned (hi BB - I did email you to ask if it's OK but you haven't got back to me) but;

I sell genuine Lucas units for £100 each including recorded delivery post.

Since the question has specifically been asked it seems reasonable for me to answer it.

[bigdods]

Ok thanks for all the info...off to talk to the Mrs about what she needs to get me for christmas ;-)

[whd]

All: In your experience, is it worth having one of these around....even if there isn't particularly anything wrong at the present time?

Could they potentially *save* money?

Thx

[bigdods]

Well I just want it for problem elimination. You know how it is when you get a tickover problem or something isnt running right. Just a quick way to rule out some of the more obvious things :-)

[jsr]

whd said:

All: In your experience, is it worth having one of these around....even if there isn't particularly anything wrong at the present time?

Could they potentially *save* money?

Thx

Mine confirmed faulty lambda sensors, though i had already suspected them to be at fault as fuel economy was down to just 13mpg and the emissions test at MoT was very close to failing.

Will be useful in future, but also just peace of mind that things are running ok (or at least the things that would show up in a fault code!)

[shpub]

bigdods said:

Well I just want it for problem elimination. You know how it is when you get a tickover problem or something isnt running right. Just a quick way to rule out some of the more obvious things :-)

They are OK - there is a list and explanation of the codes in the bible. The readers are fine but can only display faults if the ECU detects them and to be honest it isn't that clever. It doesn't detect any ignition problems or mechanical issues and will only detect sensor problems if they are totally out of spec. I have had several sensors which gave the wrong information but within the expected range and were not detected by the ECU. The ECU declared them OK when they were faulty.

If they find a fault then they are useful but if they don't it doesn't always follow that everything is OK.