fault code reader

The ignition always has to be on, but the engine can either be running or not.

John laid this down on his screen :

Either, depending upon what you are trying to do.You can download and clear codes with just the ignition on, or see the live data with the engine running.

crap I think thats the problem. I dont have a laptop so have to run a cable back to my desktop in the house. I have the ignition on, but when I walk away it turns itself off. Cant leave the keycard cause someone will zip off in it. Actually i wouldn't be too bothered if they did do that all the trouble I've had. Neighbours had their car nicked recently.

I will have to sort something out so I can do it with the engine on. Cheers!

Erm, gotta ask - if you haven't got a laptop that you can take to the car, why didn't you get a hand-held code reader like this for instance

As a 'computer person' I've always been intrigued re reading what cars have to say but not known anyone with any of this sort of kit to know what's good or not.

I guess the computer based versions are cheaper as you don't need the display bit but what constitutes a good one please?

In any case, what are the chances of getting anything out of a 92 Astra, a 93 218SD or a 2001 Corsa?

Cheers, T i m

>

low, low & maybes, the paperclip method might work on all of those.

[...]

Mr C commented recently here that he'd never found a computer based one that was worth having.

92 Astra - Slim

93 218SD - Slimmer

01 Corsa - Fair

Basically, a standard European protocol (EOBD) was only required by the EU on petrol cars from MY 2001, and oil-burners from 2004. Some petrol cars before that used the earlier US protocol (OBDII); code readers are not necessarily compatible with both.

Chris

Ah, sri, missed that.

Cheers.

Ah.

Thanks and I think it was that or something like it that had me all glazed over last time (too many gotchas and caveats on said older vehicles to make any purchase a bit of a gamble etc).

Luckily mate has the Suntune jobby and so can generally read anything that can be read should we actually need it (rather than me just being interested).

Cheers, T i m

How long is the cable? If you're using a serial port, 50 feet (approx 15 metres) is the maximum, if using USB, 5 metres is the maximum. Any longer than that and the data you get won't be readable/reliable.

It happens that John formulated :

USB cables can be extended if you insert a USB Hub at the 5m point, then you can use another 5m extension.

Schlepp the desktop + monitor out to the car? Ok, bit tedious, but it stands a chance of working, and mains extension leads tend to be reliable.

I saw a bluetooth obd2 reader on ebay the other day out of china for less than

30 quid delivered. May be a better option. Or just borrow a friends laptop for the day.

Fraser

I usually just drive the car into the lounge room :)

I have a Bluetooth one with an app on my HTC HD2. Works great with the phone mounted in the car too. :)

D

I have a 10 year old(?) W98 laptop I use with the ELM interface. I don't think any of the various software available for the ELM needs anything special in the way of an operating system. An old but working laptop with a USB interface can be got for £30 and up.