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[Webby the Bear]

Hi guys,

First an apology for posting a thread I've posted on before. I've tried to search for it but I can't find it  or the thread 

ANYHOO....

I've got some dough for once  and I'm looking at buying a code reader. there have been a few suggesions on the previous thread I posted but that was for info and now i'm actually going to get one.. and as I mentioned before I cant find that thread 

SO fist of all i'm not loaded sadly (i'm actually a broke student) but I would rather pay that little bit extra for quality item that's going to do most things and serve me well for a number of years. I've read quite a few reviews on the various scan tools available. most have great reviews but they all (apart from one that ill post a link to but sadly only has 1 review) include one or two REALLY bad reviews. so this has prompted some extra questions if you knowledgable folk would care to enlighten me on

from what I've read OBD2 is on all Europe, us and Asian makes from 2001 for petrol and 2004 for diseasal. therefore my understanding is that as long as the car is in these parameters it should work fine. would you agree?

secondly i'm RUBBISH at computer stuff. really rubbish in fact. what I want is to take the scan tool out of the box, pop the battery in (if needed as I believe they actually charge up via the car when in use) plug it in to the car, press ''read codes'' and it will bring up the codes. do they honestly do this? or am I in for a torrent of downloading things I don't understand??? this is the one that seems to have everything.... what do you think.....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Autel-Ms609-Obd2-Eobd-Diagnostic/dp/B00AQT1KG8/ref=sr_1_87?ie=UTF8&qid=1375907616&sr=8-87&keywords=obd2+scanners#productDetails
bit pricier than the other suggestions I remember but as said id rather pay that bit extra for something that's going to wow me and give me a fizzing down below

thirdly... compliant cars. this should, if ive got this right, work on everything as long as its in the age range I mentioned earlier? so my mums 2006 ford fiesta... FINE. My friends 2003 petrol Renault scenic... FINE. my mates petrol 2000 rover... NOT FINE as its older and is either on OBD1 or OBD1.5. Agreed?

Finally I understand of course the need for tech2. I watched Jaime do his stuff with that and tbh its immense! the amount of functions is unreal. but for just reading codes and resetting the eml would this work on post 2001 omegas based on the obd2 age ranges I've posted above? or are omegas special?  not that im really fussed for the omega as we have paper clips and stuff so its not a problem but would be good to understand I've got the theory correct on its use

look forward to your thoughts

 

[Nick W]

Buy an OBD reader that reads live data. The current £60ish Autel ones graph it as well. Just reading codes is a start, but the live data allows you to actually diagnose stuff intelligently. And that's the key to getting things right, first time.

As for using it, you plug it in, and follow the instructions on the screen. Utterly idiot proof!

Working on modern cars without one is a crapshoot, you would have probably identified the misfire on your Renault in seconds.

As for compliant cars, there are a lot of pre-2000 cars that you'll be able to read, although Vauxhall coverage is very spotty.

[Webby the Bear]

thanks nick, perfect explanation!

that one im looking at is an autel one and as you say it reads live data (I believe ) and graphs it.

whats the CD you get with it for? any ideas

[78bex]

thanks nick, perfect explanation!

that one im looking at is an autel one and as you say it reads live data (I believe ) and graphs it.

whats the CD you get with it for? any ideas

I think the CD just contained the instruction manual in PDF form, can`t find it now.

I`ve had some odd cars that won`t work with the scanner. Apprentice @ work has a 2001 corsa diesel with Isuzu motor & it failed to read anything. but works fine on 1.4 petrol corsa & works with all the post 2001 ecotec vaux cars I`ve tried.

No might be wrong there the box says CD software.

[Webby the Bear]

any idea what the software is for? updates?

[Jimbob]

Ive just bought a new reader too..

i have my Vauxhall Specific one..

Just bought a wifi ELM327 reader, that works with Iphone / android / PC's for basic diags of any OBD2 car.

£15

Bluetooth only are half that price, but wont work with apple.

[aaronjb]

any idea what the software is for? updates?

Never used the disc that came with my Autel, but some models are capable of data capture and export to a PC via the included software, other models are capable of firmware updates using the software.. .pretty sure mine is one of those but since I've never found the need to update it or capture data..

[Webby the Bear]

Thanks guys.

thats fine so if i want to i can ignore the CD and literally plug in and read data with nothing else to do?

[aaronjb]

Yup .. that's all I ever do with my MS509

[henryd]

Thanks guys.

thats fine so if i want to i can ignore the CD and literally plug in and read data with nothing else to do?

Go on Webby go buy it ,you can turn that bloody renault's light off then

[Webby the Bear]

it already turned itself off! i only fixed it yesterday shes very pleased.

when we talk about live data are we meaning o2 sensor data ie. fuel trims?

[aaronjb]

it already turned itself off! i only fixed it yesterday shes very pleased.

when we talk about live data are we meaning o2 sensor data ie. fuel trims?

How pleased? Nudge nudge, wink wink...

The MS509 (and I presume it's newer replacements) will read fuel trims, O2 sensor data, MAF data (although it presents that in an odd unit so it's hard to compare to Tech2 figures), coolant temperature etc etc.. essentially everything it can read from the engine ECU, it will read. It'll graph O2 sensors, too, which is handy.

The only things the average home/amateur mechanic might need that it can't do are read non-engine ECUs (e.g. transmission, ABS) and reset airbag lights. I'm pretty sure Autel have units that can do that but they cost orders of magnitude more!

[Webby the Bear]

Thaks fr that mate. haha not that pleased 

what do the O2 sensor readings actually show?

and then i presume fuel trims is just where it goes rich, lean, rich, lean etc?

[aaronjb]

The O2 readings are in Volts, swinging between ~0 and ~1V (actually a little more and a little less, respectively) indicating rich and lean.. or lean and rich, I can never remember that.

Fuel trims are the adjustments the ECU has stored to the base fuel maps, I believe indicated as a percentage. There are two short term and two long term fuel trims which should be ~0 but often indicate a few percent either negative or positive (or in Chris' case with his LPG issues, -15% or thereabouts )

[Webby the Bear]

ok thanks mate.

so if you looked at the fuel trim for instance as long as its flitting about as close to zero as possible then thats normal. anything higher (like chris's lol) should show that theres a problem.

on the one i have highlighted has anyone experience of it? when im home ill also check out your one aaron

one final question.... when you plug it in you cant do any damage and change things can you? i remember being warned about the omega fake chinese ones where you had to be careful as you could change settings and stuff accidentally