Car Diagnostic Code Reader

[catmando]

Has anyone used one of these cheap devices (£15-£30 approx) available on ebay? Are they any good? All I want to do is to clear error codes that keep making my orange engine light come on. My garage says car is fine. It's just the sensor is too sensitive and I don't want to fork out for a new sensor to be fitted. Any advice welcome

[TWR]

What car do you have?

[Hymie]

I have one that has proved useful; it identified a crank position sensor fault on my other half’s car and a number of other faults. However on a colleagues BMW with an illuminated engine warning light, the scanner sees nothing wrong.

In use, the normal procedure is to use the reader to cancel the error code – if it returns within a short while it is fair bet that it is a genuine fault.

In general, the more you pay the better the display facilities/options.

If you want I will place a link to the model I have – I reckon it well worth the £30 or so.

[douglas9401]

I think these things are diagnostic only. You may need something more sophisticated to actually clear an indicated fault.

[catmando]

Thanks to respondees for helpful comments. Hymie, that link would be useful, please, if you wouldn't mind. The vehicle is a 1998 LR Defender (Puma). I now understand they are notorious for these suspect engine management light showings.

[Hymie]

Since you kindly marked my response as ‘best answer’, here is the device I bought:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Car-Engine-Fault-Diagnostic-Scanner-Code-Reader-OBD-OBD2-OBDII-CAN-BUS-D900-/140625950490?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20bdf5b71a

You can feel smug knowing that I paid around £30. Others are selling the device cheaper but not with a carry case (not shown) but worth having to keep it altogether in the car boot.

[Hymie]

Further to my above post – I note that your vehicle is pre 2001 and therefore may not work with the scanner.

You will need to check that it has a connector of the type shown and uses one of the protocols listed.

[catmando]

Thanks again Hymie. I made a mistake in my reply sb 2008 not 1998. So your's should work. I'll give one a try.