Purchase of a Fault Code Reader

[philharve]

Hi All

I'm looking to purchase a Fault Code Reader (FCR), nothing too fancy or expensive. I have conducted a brief survey and FCRs come in a variety of different forms.

I would appreciate advice from other members who have contemplated a similar purchase, and if an FCR was obtained, what criteria was used in selecting the instrument? Also, what instrument was selected?

You can pay a few tens of pounds for a simple handheld device to many thousands of points for a sophisticated, computerized FCR which is really only of use to the professional technician.

For the hobbiest/enthusiast there must be a cheaper alternative that meets most requirements yet is simple to use and is portable, i.e. can be carried in the car.

There is one further issue I would like to raise. The FCR interface to the car's electrical system is a multi-pin connector and cable. I know of only two types of connector for M-Bs: a 16-pin semi-rectangular connector and a 38-pin round connector. Furthermore, there are analogue and a digital type interfaces. Is there a mixed interface standard?

Which type of connector is the more recent? I assume that all the latest FCRs employ a digital interface to interrogate the ECU.

If you possess an FCR, which one did you buy, why and how much and from whom? Your advice please?

I am wanting the FCR for the car indicated in my signature, a W reg. C230K Sport.

REGARDS Phil

 

[philharve]

AutoEnginuity OBD2 Scan Tool/Dyno with CAN (Pocket PC)

After much research I've forked out £126 on the above scan tool. It provides much more functionality than I was originally looking for but that just makes it much better value. I bought it on eBay and saved myself almost 50% on UK prices.

Yes ... I bought a Pocket PC version ... and if you are an iPAQ owner you'll know that it is a small pocket PC that you can keep in a glove box.

There is a Bluetooth option which means 'no wires'. Analysis on the move, perhaps ... when you get tired of GPS!

REGARDS Phil

 

[guydewdney]

i have the one from www.gendan.co.uk - and the free software means i can read _some_ codes - and get dyno runs etc...

 

[philharve]

AutoEnginuity OBD2 Scan Tool/Dyno with CAN (Pocket PC)

Hello guydewdney

Yes ... I took a look at the 'gendan' website and I saw the exact same model there but they were asking £236 for it. My supplier wanted just $239.

The Scan Tool comes with Speed Tracer 2.0 which is free. I haven't yet figured out what this does but it seems to be connected with performance testing.

The Tool comes with a library of 14,000 'codes with free updates. The 'codes are translated so you don't need to carry a separate reference book.

The Tool is available for Windows, Windows Mobile and Palm. I chose the Windows Mobile version because I have an iPAQ H5550 and the AutoEnginuity PDA software has all the functionality of the Windows version. The iPAQ is just a lot smaller than most PCs. You can reset all the service indicators, bar 2 or 3.

I'm used to instrumentation and computers in my professional capacity but this is the first time I will have used a mini computer to 'talk' to a vehicles sensor servers. I doubt that I will ever use the Tools full capabilities but it looks like it'll be a 'must-have' tool for all modern cars.

REGARDs Phil