can i just buy an odb fault code reader??

[cragswinter]

ok bear with me for asking a daft question:
as the question above asks can i just buy an odb fault code reader off ebay or the like & use it myself?

my corsa combi van has yet again thrown up an engine service light so i'd really rather be able to see what's happening instead of making another trip down to the mechanics to see what's going on.

i'm also in the hunt for a new car & thought it may help interrogate the ecu to see if the car has any problems.

so, can i just buy a lead that will link up a cars ecu to a netbook or similar? once i buy a lead do i have to buy some software to enable my computer top read what's happening in there?

i've heard of people having apps on bloomin iphones that they reckon can do diagnostics so if anyone has any experience of being able to do this cheaply i'd really like to hear about it.

i'm not going to go to the expence of buying some piece of kit for hundreds of pounds but if it's something cheap & easy to use it's got to be worth a go

cheers

[turbopug]

If the car is OBD compatible, a £20 reader will do the job.

I recommend spending a bit extra and buying one of these though,

http://www.auteltech.com/eu702.htm

You can add updates as required, I wouldn't be without mine now.

[cragswinter]

Ok best place to buy a basic reader? Will my local auto parts place have one & fo I need any software on the computer to read it?

[turbopug]

Something like this would probably do your job

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

If you go into your local motor factors and look through the Draper and Sealey books, you might find something cheaper. The one I just linked is pretty handy though, it offers you a description of the fault code rather than just a code number.

[stevieturbo]

cragswinter said:

i've heard of people having apps on bloomin iphones that they reckon can do diagnostics

There are also people with equipment costing thousands of pounds who "reckon they can do diagnostics" too.

Doesnt actually mean they can.

Yes they may be able to simply read codes and think that is diagnostics. No, that is just blindly reading codes.

But yes there are a wide variety of products that allow you to read basic information and fault codes from most modern vehicles. As to whether that information is of any use to you, well, that can vary.

[cragswinter]

Good point stevie-but this things having a moment about once a month & it's a pain in the arse!

I figured if it was throwing up a fairly innocent looking code I'd just drive it on regardless.

It's got oil, it's got water, the timing chain snapped the other month & the turbo was replaced the month before that so what else can go wrong?!




(never buy a vauxhall by the way)

[stevieturbo]

cragswinter said:

Good point stevie-but this things having a moment about once a month & it's a pain in the arse!

I figured if it was throwing up a fairly innocent looking code I'd just drive it on regardless.

It's got oil, it's got water, the timing chain snapped the other month & the turbo was replaced the month before that so what else can go wrong?!




(never buy a vauxhall by the way)

Often driving on regardless can cause more problems down the line.

I do actually drive a Vauxhall, and have covered over 50,000 trouble free miles in the last 9 months.

Sounds like you have the 1.3 fiat engine though....reliability certainly isnt their strong point.

[cragswinter]

stevieturbo said:

Often driving on regardless can cause more problems down the line.

I do actually drive a Vauxhall, and have covered over 50,000 trouble free miles in the last 9 months.

Sounds like you have the 1.3 fiat engine though....reliability certainly isnt their strong point.

Tell me about it-I reckon over 2 grand in engine bills alone in the last 2 years, shame as it's such a economical little engine.

Every time it gets fixed it's a toss up whether to just get rid of the damn thing, but I always think well what else can go wrong?!

Got it home last night & it's used some oil (needed a top up) which it's never done before so there's something going on somewhere.

Better get the wallet ready.....

[stevieturbo]

cragswinter said:

Tell me about it-I reckon over 2 grand in engine bills alone in the last 2 years, shame as it's such a economical little engine.

Every time it gets fixed it's a toss up whether to just get rid of the damn thing, but I always think well what else can go wrong?!

Got it home last night & it's used some oil (needed a top up) which it's never done before so there's something going on somewhere.

Better get the wallet ready.....

I would never buy anything with that engine. The 1.7Di is very reliable and economical, albeit VERY slow.
The 1.7CDTI which I now have is less economical *crys* and so far reliable. Still averages 45mpg, and can achieve 50mpg with very frugal driving. My last 1.7Di would do 55mpg with ease.
But the 1.7CDTi is worth having. Drives like a modern diesel should with plenty of torque

[cragswinter]

The fault code is Reading a difference in atmospheric pressure so I'm guessing some kind of hose or leak on the turbo side of things?

It's driving fine with no loss of performance so I think I'll just chug on til next week when the guys can get a look in it. I've got a couple of long runs so fingers crossed it doesn't get any worse bit I just don't have the time to get it looked at until next week.