Which Fault Code Reader?

[Dav_s]

Morning all

Can someone in the know please tell me which of the code reading machines on eBay is suitable for a V8V?

Thanks

[BingoBob]

What year is your car? If it's early enough you might able to use the Ford diagnostics stuff to get full data. Wonderful.

If not then you are stuck with OBD2. I would recommend getting something that is PC based so that you will have the possibility of logging data into an excel file for analysing later. There is so much more that you can do than just reading and resetting error codes. There are plenty of OBD2 wifi dongles available on amazon / ebay. Not sure which software would work best. I use a VAG specific system that lets me log ODB2 stuff, but it's a pricey way of doing OBD2 only.

[BingoBob]

If you are interested in a complete solution, then something like this:

http://www.ilexa.co.uk/acatalog/eobd.html

If you just want a code reader then I'm sure someone will be along to advise shortly.

[Dav_s]

Thanks BB. My car is a 2007.
Not after anything too clever if I'm honest, just the standard jobby.

Anyone else got a suggestion/recommendation?

[LC23]

Rick recommended the u480

[SLacKer]

Hi

I bought this model LINK. Shop around for the best price as I can't remember who I got mine off it was around £30 though.



It works well on the DB9 and actually has the code descriptions built in as well rather than looking them up separately it doesn't have an AM manufacturer but you can use other or maybe volvo or even ford I use other. It won't do all the fancy stuff of the AM delear machines but then again costs buttons in comparison. I have used it on my other cars as well and it does have a live data screen and will reset the eml as well.

Not sure what is on the cd cannot get it to read.

[Dav_s]

Leaning toward the one linked by SLacKer, although the u480 is about half the price. LC23 do you know if the u480 has the code descriptions built in?

[RIB27]

I've successfully used my new U480 today to resolve the infamous "Emissions Service Required" gremlin.

Error code I got was P0133 - googling suggests the usual culprit, Oxygen Sensor.