Tell me about Code Readers Please

[Asimo]

Now That I am the proud owner of a complex example of 14 year old electro-Japshite I am sure I need a code reader.

 

What is good?

 

What is rubbish?

 

Recommendations and encouragement please. Dire warnings too.

[Stixy]

I bought a cheap one £20  of ebay to code read a  Kia that had autobox issues and it pointed to the fault straight away , fitted new part , cleared code , and off it went again  

 

All depends on how much you want to spend and how many different makes models you want to use it on 

[Stixy]

just glanced at ebay they are even cheaper now   

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U480-Universal-OBD2-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-scan-tool-UK-/281087741469?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4172228e1d

[hauserplenty]

Get one with live data. This costs more than a reader but is much more useful for diagnosis. Often a fault code can be only a starting point. Live data shows you the engine parameters in real time. Often a >$1000 scantool is required to access ABS or airbag codes, so look into the specs before you buy. Text-based scantools are simpler and tend to load programs faster. For the same money as a code reader, you can often get a real scantool. If you go with the harbor freight option, the $85 version does not access ABS codes. You need to buy two of them...but I've been OK with a generic made by OTC. Many versions of it around.

[beko1987]

Bluetooth obd reader, an android device and torque free.

 

Job jobbed!

[gtd2000]

ELM327 clone full size or mini like the example below is usually good enough. Pair it with your Android device and download Torque from the Play Store and away you go.

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2014-Free-Shipping-Wholesales-OBD2-OBDII-scanner-ELM-327-car-diagnostic-interface-scanner-tool-Super-mini/1616493730.html

[Dave_Q]

When we went into this business before I think we decided that bluetooth interfaces are a bit flaky, and not fast enough for live data.

 

Wifi is where its at.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WiFi-ELM327-OBD2-OBDII-Car-Diagnostic-Interface-Scanner-Tool-For-iPhone-ipad-PC-/251377536747?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a8744ceeb

 

(Note, I have no personal experience of this, all I have is a bluetooth version that doesn't really work on most cars.)

[New POD]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-MINI-Diagnostic-Handheld-Code-Reader-Scanner-Tool-Engine-Airbag-ABS-Gearbox-/200936060099?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2ec8b8f4c3

 

I needed to turn an airbag light off, and if you have a mini or BMW this is pretty good.

[Asimo]

I have ipad or windows laptop to use this with, no android devices.

 

So much choice!

[wuvvum]

just glanced at ebay they are even cheaper now   

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U480-Universal-OBD2-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Reader-Scanner-diagnostic-scan-tool-UK-/281087741469?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4172228e1d

I've got one of these - paid a tenner for it including delivery, looks like they're even cheaper now.  It's quite limited in its functionality and it won't talk to diesel Renaults, but it turned the EML off on both the Kalos and the C2, and diagnosed the gearbox fault on my mate's Laguna, so not bad for the money.