RE: Extinguish those fault lights

[polus]

For anyone with a ford you can read the fault codes from the lcd odometer (if its not too old). Ive never understood manufactures who leave the fault light on after the fault has gone - pure greed.

bubster said:

Oh dear, if only it was that easy, read the code and fit the part! The problem with this device is that people will do as it says and it won't fix the car. For example you may get a lambda probe fault due to an air leak on the intake system. (just one example)

There will be cars and faults this is useful for but the majority of cases I believe this will mean dealers will sell parts for cars they don't need and then not accept them back for credit! Because you asked for it!

If all it took was a £60 code reader why would I need 2 Master Technicians, trained to the hilt and diagnostic machines that cost £16000 each!!!


Jason
Aftersales Manager for VW

16000 each you say!


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Yours sincerely,

Design Engineer.

Edited by polus on Saturday 16th June 17:13

[Mike W]

EDLT said:

I don't believe its claims to be honest, the Snap on diagnostic equipment at work is designed for most cars but it doesn't do many japanese ones because, according to Snap-on, they use so many different ECUs.

This tool doesn't look to be claiming to do anything like what a Snap on scanner does though - it's just for EOBD cars, and they're regulated under European law.
Snap-on gear and the like would try to get into earlier cars on their own systems, which is far more likely to be a problem.

[pauln35]

Hi Guys, being the owner of an E39 M5, I'm very used to seeing the "Check Engine Soon Light". For this reason I sourced a reader for around £50 that has on two occassions pointed to minor issues that I fixed myself. Infact I recently imported from China a quantity of Code Readers and Service Reset tools and in my first week of having a bit of fun selling on Ebay has sold more than one unit per day. If anyone is interested, I've a few units left ranging from £65 down to £18.99 for ODBII readers. Mail me at [e-mail]. The supplier is www.uiftech.com if you want to check out the units. Cheers Paul

[SS HSV]

MitchT said:

Can anyone remember when a thing called a 'bloke' with equipment known as 'hands' and 'tools' did stuff like this?

KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid

bubster said:

Oh dear, if only it was that easy, read the code and fit the part! The problem with this device is that people will do as it says and it won't fix the car. For example you may get a lambda probe fault due to an air leak on the intake system. (just one example)

Some will some won't but at least you can turn off that annoying light once you know what needs doing!

bubster said:

There will be cars and faults this is useful for but the majority of cases I believe this will mean dealers will sell parts for cars they don't need and then not accept them back for credit! Because you asked for it!

So as a dealer you will not accept parts back at all? Another rip off. Charge a re-stocking fee sure but to not accept the item back is ripping people off IMO. Don't tell me that a technician has never miss-diagnosed and then fitted the wrong part, and not either charged the customer for it or put it back on the shelf for the next customer??

bubster said:

If all it took was a £60 code reader why would I need 2 Master Technicians, trained to the hilt and diagnostic machines that cost £16000 each!!!

That is the point that others have mentioned. Keep It Simple Stupid!

As in my reply above;

If the manufacturers actually gave a hoot about the customers and provided genuine simple to maintain vehicles there would be any need for the £16000 diagnostic equipment.

Edited by SS HSV on Sunday 17th June 19:11

[tvrgit]

bubster said:

If all it took was a £60 code reader why would I need 2 Master Technicians, trained to the hilt and diagnostic machines that cost £16000 each!!!

Had a company hack Astra a few years ago. Took it for a service (main dealer) and got it back with a misfire and a top speed of 40.

Took it back, left it for a day, they gave it back and said there was nothing wrong with it. Drove home, same misfire, 40 top speed.

Back again next day. Service Manager says arrogantly "see this £30,000 machine? It can find anything wrong with any car and my "master technician" is specially trained to work it. There's nothing wrong with your car ok?"

Drove home at 40, lifted bonnet, got my ancient vacuum gauge (it's older than me, it was my dad's just after the war), a plug spanner and a timing light.

Didn't even connect them up. 30 seconds pulling off the plug leads one at a time told me that No 1 cylinder wasn't firing. Another 30 seconds and I had the plug out and could see nothing wrong with it. As I turned it over I felt the tiniest faintest tick through my fingers. Looked at it again. The core insulation was loose - when you held the plug up it looked ok, when you turned it over (gap downwards) the core dropped forward over the gap. Although the plug was still firing the core was shielding the flame front.

Popped in a new plug (well and old one I had lying about) and all was well.

Back to the garage next day. Service Manager looks as smug and arrogant as yesterday. Me "see your £30,000 computer? See your multi-trained master technician? See finding any fault on any car? Well it didn't find this..." and I handed him the spark plug.

Him... "em... em... what can I say?"

Me "If I was as cocky as you I'd now be too embarassed to say anything except to ask me how much money I want back..."

I recognise that same arrogance now every time I see it...

[tvrgit]

Oh and another story... I made a fault code reader for my TVR a couple of years ago with a matchbox-sized box of bits I bought from Maplins for £2.84...

Unfortunately the TVRs obd socket doesn't work, but I tried it in a Granada just out of interest and it worked in that!