 | Home > Technical > OBD2 scanner educate me please |
 
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| TexasRover Member Since: 24 Nov 2022 Location: Paris Posts: 1051   
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Most car makers conform to a standard (ancient) OBD/OBD2 protocol that makes you read standard codes. ALL however have added their own language that require specific readers.
Under the 'right to repair' legislation some companies have extracted the coding and made 3rd party scanners. The professional kits combine several makes, but are not affordable for the DIY mechanic and require licensing etc We know the LR readers or at least they are discussed in depth on this forum. For other cars I owned I have not been terribly successful with brand specific readers. Typically they cost around GBP 500 and only cover that one brand. The standard OBD/OBD2 readers are cheap and give you something for quick diagnostics (logged codes on misfires and O2 sensors etc). Probably not worth spending more than GBP 100 |
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2nd Feb 2023 8:10am |
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| Tommybahama32 Member Since: 11 Sep 2017 Location: cheshire Posts: 31  
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Like most things scanners have become much cheaper now. As has been said some professional scanners require a subscription, but there are many simple code readers and more advanced tools. I have a Topdon device that not only reads DTC but has other functions and works on multiple vehicles. I recently did a forced region on a Kia, replaced rear brake pads with electronic hand brake on the Kia, and also on a Mercedes c class. It all depends how much you want to pay, but Topdon do various devices that cater for DIY all the way to fully directional tools, well worth a look.
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2nd Feb 2023 8:23am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17382 
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For general use across a range of vehicles I use one of these:
https://www.launchtech.co.uk/enthusiast-di...fessional/ It has been very satisfactory, it includes enduring free updates, and it has served me well on LR, Toyota, Mitsubishi, and VAG vehicles. It does most of the "normal" service-type operations (reading and clearing fault codes, resetting service interval flags, etc) but does not do some of the esoteric and vehicle-specific stuff. For that I use Nanocom and/or IID for the Landrovers in the fleet, and bespoke tools for others (eg Ross-Tech VCDS for VAG). |
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2nd Feb 2023 12:20pm |
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| Bluest Member Since: 23 Apr 2016 Location: Lancashire Posts: 4209 
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Your best bet if you don't want to spend a small fortune on a pro-grade reader would probably be bluetooth reader device paired with some marque specific OBD apps on a phone/tablet. For example Forscan for the Ford. You would need to do some research to find out which apps are good for which marques though and they probably aren't free. 2007 110 TDCi Station Wagon XS
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2nd Feb 2023 12:28pm |
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| andy2111 Member Since: 17 Oct 2021 Location: Kent Posts: 365 
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This might be helpful and is only a couple of months old
https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/car-access...i-scanners TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread 2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop |
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2nd Feb 2023 12:46pm |
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| TomB8 Member Since: 17 Nov 2022 Location: West Sussex Posts: 115 
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As others have said, it depends what you want to do and what you want to spend.
I have an icarsoft for my range rover that was gifted to me. It works ok and allows reading codes from the gearbox and various other car specific modules. I believe they make a reasonably priced version that covers many makes. However, if you just want basic engine codes and logging of engine sensors the elm327 based Bluetooth or WiFi modules are great with an app like torque (if you're and android user). They are about £5 on alliexpress, but also available on eBay and Amazon for a few quid more if you don't want to wait for shipping. I keep one in each car in case a light pops up and I need to know if a sensor is on the blink or if I need a recovery truck. |
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14th Feb 2023 9:38am |
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| diesel_jim Member Since: 13 Oct 2008 Location: hiding Posts: 6092 
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^^^^ +1, I've got Torque and a cheapo ELM327.
OBD doesn't work on Td5's (think it does on Pumas) but in my VW transporter it gives me loads of info, and I can reset error lights (like my EGR that comes on and off when it feels like). You get some fancy displays too so you can play at 0-60 times and see how much % your throttle is being pressed etc. |
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14th Feb 2023 10:03am |
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| glpinxit Member Since: 31 Jul 2010 Location: rural Somerset Posts: 156
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I keep a bluetooth OBD reader in the cubby box and use an app on my iphone called 'car scanner'. The app has info for many cars but I've only used it with my Puma 2.2. It seems good with code reading and clearing the mil light (egr issues last year). I've never really explored the instruments and displays that it also does. Cheers, Guy.
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15th Mar 2023 9:45pm |
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