Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Diamond Black Geezer on 26 September 2016, 09:56:41

Title: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 26 September 2016, 09:56:41
as per...

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/c/eobd-code-readers-and-reset-tools/

Just wondering for Xmas, I have no ruddy clue what I want, give me a pair of socks and a bottle of whisky, it's help paying my council tax and fuel bills I need in my life. So I thought, well what about one of these? No idea if they're actually a complete waste of time? Aware this isn't the same as the much-loved o p c o m ... is it basically the same as a paperclip test, but easier/less faffing, or just a complete waste of time and money? Thanks chaps to anyone who has one/knows anything about them  :)
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Bojan on 26 September 2016, 10:07:48
If it just reads and shows codes, you are better of with a bottle of whisky  :y :y And keep using the paperclip.

Paperclip is sipmle enough, just don't see advantage of buying a reader. Save money for real diagnostic tool, which can show live data -> this is worth having.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: tunnie on 26 September 2016, 10:08:04
Allows to read codes and get live data, although yours being a 96 year, I recall not all pre-1998 ish cars are ODB2  :-\

Won't get to do a great deal more than a paperclip, other than make life easier. As said you need the "other" software for that.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 26 September 2016, 10:19:10
This is what I suspected.


I'll see what nice Balvenies there are, then  :y
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Bojan on 26 September 2016, 12:34:30
This is what I suspected.


I'll see what nice Balvenies there are, then  :y

Well, that is a best type of diagnostic tool for erasing codes stored in ones head ;D ;D
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Nick W on 26 September 2016, 13:01:42
Allows to read codes and get live data, although yours being a 96 year, I recall not all pre-1998 ish cars are ODB2  :-\


OBD2 is an American standard from 1996. Some European cars conform to it, including most Fords and others sold in America. Vauxhall coverage isvery spotty, and Omegas don't conform at all.

Every European petrol car from 2001 conforms to E-OBD, which is an extension of OBD.

Code readers are OK, but buying one that shows live data is a proper diagnostic tool. If the car conforms to either standard!
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: tunnie on 26 September 2016, 13:09:14
Allows to read codes and get live data, although yours being a 96 year, I recall not all pre-1998 ish cars are ODB2  :-\


OBD2 is an American standard from 1996. Some European cars conform to it, including most Fords and others sold in America. Vauxhall coverage isvery spotty, and Omegas don't conform at all.

Every European petrol car from 2001 conforms to E-OBD, which is an extension of OBD.

Code readers are OK, but buying one that shows live data is a proper diagnostic tool. If the car conforms to either standard!

Yeah this was my understanding, I think early non MFL 94-97 are not OBD2, but 98.5 onwards they all are.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 26 September 2016, 13:12:16
Yes, I found myself wandering onto ones that do live data, including the famous one.

Hoping one day to find a Teck 2 at a car boot sale for a quid  :D
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: tunnie on 26 September 2016, 13:17:14
Don't think even Tech2 will talk to the very early Omega's - Need a Tech1  :)
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Bojan on 26 September 2016, 13:26:57
I have used MaxiDAS and Delphi on mine (1996) and it reads live data.
Was suprised, TBH.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Nick W on 26 September 2016, 13:27:58


Yeah this was my understanding, I think early non MFL 94-97 are not OBD2, but 98.5 onwards they all are.

My 2000 model year 3.0 isn't. I've not had an OBD tool work on any pre 2001 Omega. Vectras tend to be OK, but Astras are potluck and you will struggle to find the socket without help.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Diamond Black Geezer on 26 September 2016, 13:30:07
Jesus! Tech 1, then! I thought they were very firmly in the 80s. Well, that's worth knowing, then! Ta  :)
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: Kevin Wood on 26 September 2016, 14:36:11


Yeah this was my understanding, I think early non MFL 94-97 are not OBD2, but 98.5 onwards they all are.

My 2000 model year 3.0 isn't. I've not had an OBD tool work on any pre 2001 Omega. Vectras tend to be OK, but Astras are potluck and you will struggle to find the socket without help.

Yep. No support on Omegas before the DBW engines.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: TheBoy on 26 September 2016, 18:07:36
as per...

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/c/eobd-code-readers-and-reset-tools/

Just wondering for Xmas, I have no ruddy clue what I want, give me a pair of socks and a bottle of whisky, it's help paying my council tax and fuel bills I need in my life. So I thought, well what about one of these? No idea if they're actually a complete waste of time? Aware this isn't the same as the much-loved o p c o m ... is it basically the same as a paperclip test, but easier/less faffing, or just a complete waste of time and money? Thanks chaps to anyone who has one/knows anything about them  :)
That's as much use to you as a used johnny smeared in dogshit I'm afraid.

There are no low cost options for you. Well, not any we can discuss.
Title: Re: Machine Mart / other Code Readers - worth it?
Post by: TheBoy on 26 September 2016, 18:12:05
Yeah this was my understanding, I think early non MFL 94-97 are not OBD2, but 98.5 onwards they all are.
Afraid not, sadly.  EOBD/OBDII (essentially the same thing) came in with the 2.2 petrol and DBW V6. Post 97 2.0l are almost compliant, but most readers will say no...

Don't think even Tech2 will talk to the very early Omega's - Need a Tech1  :)
Tech2 will deal with all Omega onboard ECUs except 2:
U25DT DDE2.0 engine ECU (TD without a MAF, 94-95)
IR Central Locking/Alarm (94-95)