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[x1xv45]

TBs guide refers to Cheapo Tech2 on ebay, but that was 3 years ago, so any advice on something ok and currently available - or is the whole topic verboten?

[Kevin Wood]

I think I'm right in saying that the 2.2 Engine ECU is OBDII compliant so any OBDII code reader or cable should allow you to at least read engine codes. If you're looking for access to other systems you are stepping outside the realm of affordable code readers, unfortunately.

[Kevin Wood]

"Cheapo Tech 2" was a very simple code reader that connected to a serial port. The software was mostly in Hungarian and it pretty much refused to work on any machine unless it had a real serial port (i.e. not a USB to serial adaptor).

Since laptops with serial ports are pretty scarce these days, I should think its' usefulness is even more limited now.

[zirk]

If you just want to read codes and more importantly reset them, them buy a OBDII Bluetooth  Diagnostic Scanner (ELM327), about a tenner on the Bay, and download 'Automobile Software' Free and Legal, which is an Java App so it will work with most phones.

The Free version lets you read, display code info and reset them only, where as if you want to do a bit more like, Live Data, etc then its an extra $19.

Being OBD2 will only work on post 2001 Petrol cars, cant remember when the Diesel went OBD2 in EU.

Chris.

[x1xv45]

OK Kevin, I'm looking at OBD2 solutions then.
Chris - unfortunately, my phone is non-compliant with that software, but nice idea - I'll need to get the software for just an old laptop (with XP).

[RobG]

http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/codereaders.htm

[zirk]

OK Kevin, I'm looking at OBD2 solutions then.
Chris - unfortunately, my phone is non-compliant with that software, but nice idea - I'll need to get the software for just an old laptop (with XP).

Probably going to need a Lappy with a proper RS232 comm port then as most of the USB converters can be hit or miss, must admit never tried ODB2 Bluetooth on the Notebook.

[TheBoy]

OK Kevin, I'm looking at OBD2 solutions then.
Chris - unfortunately, my phone is non-compliant with that software, but nice idea - I'll need to get the software for just an old laptop (with XP).

Probably going to need a Lappy with a proper RS232 comm port then as most of the USB converters can be hit or miss, must admit never tried ODB2 Bluetooth on the Notebook.

ELM32x based readers don't struggle, and most are USB anyway (with internal USB-Serial adapter for the serial ELM chip). The old Cheapo Tech2 used bit-bshing techniques, which is where the problem lay...

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, I've got a USB ELM and it works pretty solidly.

[x1xv45]

I got one of the unmentionables from ebay for £20 (vat and delivery inc.), it arrived today and I read and cleared the fault codes - they were indicating "not present", but I'll ask about them in the general forum as they may return if I drive a bit more. Thanks for all the input.