I am totally clueless about pulling codes from the S's ECU and atm have no reason to do so either but want the ability to do so myself as of next March when my warranty runs out as I don't want to be stuffed by the big H just for plugging in a device and pressing a button.

I've searched the forum and people seem to mention Geniscan 300?

Can someone in the know (MB and the likes) please point me in the right direction on this. I may not buy anything now and may just keep my eyes peeled on ebay for whatever is recommended but I think this is something I need to know about sooner rather than later.

[EDIT] I should add here; If there's a better way to do this.. eg Laptop software and cable, that's perhaps more useful for other diagnostics etc then that might be an option, especially if its cheaper.

Thanks in advance.
Dan

 

Nah, a reader with OBD2 plug and lead is only about £30 on eBay, all you need.

 

This ...... is what you need.

(make them an offer < £20)

 

Even if you get a laptop you still need to folk out money for a reader/cable which will come to the same cost as a geniscan reader.

I wrote my own program on my mobile phone, to read codes and trend info like coolant, ignition timing, mpg, o2 sensors etc.

You wont be able to pull ABS codes etc, actually i need to look into this if its possible, but there is a reader for £55 on ebay that would be worth the extra £25 more, as the dealers have you over a barral. A snapon reader didnt work with my S to pull an ABS code.

Actually my current project is below...Scanguage type reader but better, with more functions and possibilty to read ABS etc if can figure it out.

Its for OBD2 and serial based ECU likes AEM, DTA etc. It will mainly be used in my car and cars that have had engine swaps (dashes dont work), turbo, showing boost, wideband etc all in one unit.

 

Just go for a Geniscan GS300 for pulling fault codes. Should be about £30 and comes with a book listing all the codes...

 

I've got a Snap-on Ethos and am fairly local if you ever get really stuck

 

i recently borrowed a scanner for my Datsun and found that you really need a reader that shows live data as well (which the one i borrowed had.)

the only fault code was the evap valve (which i know is missing) otherwise no other codes. my car suffered with hesitation.

the most interesting bit i found was that there are two readings that tell a lot. the short term fuel trim and the long term fuel trim (i found this out by google ) the short term fuel trim is the instant trimming goverened by lambda , air flow etc. if it goes over a certain threshhold then the long term fuel trim adjusts to compensate (this is the ECU self learning mode . the one you wipe off on an ECU reset)

even though the lambda sensor was sort of in the right area the fuel trims told me that something was not right because they were way off to compensate for a problem. upping the fuel pressure improved the trims and the cars drives so much better . it's a hybrid system so it'll never be perfect (MX5 VVt engine in the wrong car on completly standard engine management with a mix of a non return fuel system modified to a return system via a pressure regulator with non standard air intake etc etc. )



what i am saying is dont get one that is just a code reader .

 

That's the next level on Bozwell, and it's good info, it just depends what the end user wants. Most just want a fault code, where some of us like to look at readings etc.

Key thing with more info is knowing what to do with it, and if you need it!

 

problem with fault codes is that they are only a guide.parts may be changed in the hope that it will put the fault right but i have seen so many times that this is not always the case. this can get very expencive. this is the first time i have had anything to do with OBD2 so it was a bit of a learning curve. there is so much info on the internet and there are so many helpful people here as well that posting the readings here someone will know what to do.

in fact it may be an idea to actually make a thread for anyone who has a OBD2 reader to put all the readings up . say at cold, warm up and hot. that way there will be loads of cars with varying readings that are perfectly ok so when someone has a problem there are readings to compare against to get an idea where the problem may lie.

just an idea.

 

I'm actually quite intereted in gathering more info and data; something I'd like to look into and get my head around (Engine Management etc) so a device that throws out more info and logged data would be great.

I't'd be nice to see if I've say buzzed the motor slightly on a dodgy heel\toe downshift etc and to be able to see fueling etc.

Ultimately I plan to buy some type of data aquisition stuff for driving performance as well; something I could throw data out into Motec's analyser tool etc so if there's anything that kind of goes hand in hand with this for engine diagnostics and is reasonably priced I may be interested.

(I admit, I'm a bit sad and do enjoy looking at graphs )

What would you recommend with the above sad factor stuff in mind? or should I be keeping things like performance analysis and fault diagnostics completely seperate?

Thanks in advance chaps