Choosing A Fault Code Reader For My Avensis

[Dmitriy]

Hi All,

Which fault code reader for an Avensis VVT-i 1.8L made in September 2000 (engine 1ZZ-FE) is a good value for money? The car has the red SRS Airbag warning light and the yellow MIL/Check Engine warning light ON all the time and I would like to troubleshoot this myself. Is ELM 327 any good for it?

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

[timson]

I have one and used it on my daughters 2001 1.8 vvti, same engine as yours. it is basic but shows and clears the EML.I only paid about £15 for it on Egay. It also shows live data when the engine is running etc.

this the company Ibought mine from http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ELM-327-CAR-DIAGNOSTIC-FAULT-CODE-READER-SCAN-TOOL-1-3A-/170459150887?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item27b0283a27

[Ianmozi]

i have one for clearing p420/430 on my 2002 AVENSIS VERSO its been a god send as Mr T says they cannot fix it ???

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-fault-code-reader-scanner-diagnostic-tool-OBD-2-CAN-/270679891664?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f05c75ed0#ht_2113wt_948 it was £24 on eBay, its works on both Older models & newer ones..

Ian

[Dmitriy]

Hi timson,

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your replies. Do you know if these tools provide dealer level diagnostics of the 2 problems I mentioned earlier or they only provide generic level diagnostics? E.g. the airbag diagnostics is not explicitly mentioned in the list of what they can diagnose.

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

[Daveyonthemove]

Fault code readers will check the ECU for logged faults and give you a list of them with a number.

The number is a code relating to the issue, so you would need to take note of the numbers and search for their meaning.

They are an excellent tool to have as most dealers will charge you just to check for codes, and then you get the bill for the repair work on top.

[Dmitriy]

Hi Daveyonthemove,

Thanks for your reply, so seems like I don't really need a sophisticated and expensive tool capable of decoding the codes if it's all on the web.

Btw the dealer's price only for diagnostics was GBP55+VAT, so I preferred to have my own tool.

Best Regards,

Dmitriy

[timson]

The elm unit gives the code and its description.

[Dmitriy]

Hi timson,

I've just ordered one, will give it a try.

Thanks & Regards,

Dmitriy

[Dmitriy]

Hi again,

Using software EasyOBDII that came with ELM327 I have obtained codes P0420 and P1349 (both in the "Stored DTC (S)" and "Pending DTC (S) detected during current or last completed driving cycle" sections):

P0420 -- Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

P1349 -- Fault Definition Not Available or Manufacturer Specific (there's also a Freeze Frame Data for this one), looks like it's VVT System Malfunction.

- How do I locate the MAF/airflow meter/sensor on a 1ZZ-FE engine? Seems like replacing it helped some of those who had these codes.

- One thing I spotted under the bonnet is the charred plastic connector on the cable going to one of 2 sensors or whatever screwed into the exhaust manifold: the connector has apparently touched the latter and even bare wires can be seen. Are they the pre-cat oxygen/O2/lambda sensors? Can I swap around their cables to see if P0420 moves to the other bank?

Also the software returned "Vehicle OBD Compliance = EOBD". Does it mean my car is not fully OBD2 compliant? I think I have read somewhere that EOBD was before OBD2 and they are not compliant but my reader is happy with it somehow.

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

[Darius28]

So if my alarm is playing sometimes, would i be able to see whats wrong using one of those tools. Mr T quoted only £80 just for diagnostic :censor: ripping *****s!

[GIDDLEPIN]

P0420 -- Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

P1349 -- Fault Definition Not Available or Manufacturer Specific (there's also a Freeze Frame Data for this one), looks like it's VVT System Malfunction.

Dmitriy

Hi

I have experienced both of these codes on my Roadster, the following is how I have dealt with them. I am not saying it will be the same reasons or problem with your faults.

P0420

I experienced this shortly after fitting a sports cat and sports quad exhaust system, this was a problem with the signals from my after cat 02 sensor reading increased emissions and throwing up the fault, initially this was cured by fitting extenders to the sensor. This code seemed to return after I went back to a standard cat just before travelling to France & Germany, I put it down to a possible exhaust gasket leak but it eventually turned out to be an injector breaking down, since this was replaced I have had no trouble.

P1349

This fault appeared about five years ago (and cost me £50 at Mr T's to get the code read )

I was told it involved the screen filter on the VVTi system and was probably a result of dirty oil passing through. The fault remained clear for some time but usually returns when the oil is getting near replacement or when I drive in "Granny mode", this isn't to say I hare about all over the place it is just basically when town driving for any length of time ;)

Since knowing what the code is for and never having a problem with rough running associated with VVTi failures, my only course of action is to clear the code then either change the oil or my driving methods.

As I say, this is not necessarily your problem but it might help with your diagnostics

Les

***AS for a code reader*****

Check THIS out.

A cheap alternative if you have an android phone

[Parts-King]

Mr T quoted only £80 just for diagnostic :censor: ripping *****s!

From a dealer point of view, our handheld testers cost thousands of pounds and are subject to yearly licencing fees. Free diagnostics are not very common because you have every Tom ***** and Fred in the shed coming along for a freebie and taking the car away to do their own repairs. We have very often offered free diagnostics if we are given the opportunity to get the repair work. You should always ask for this at your dealer, he may be able to justify it to his service manager

Kingo

[GIDDLEPIN]

Mr T quoted only £80 just for diagnostic :censor: ripping *****s!

From a dealer point of view, our handheld testers cost thousands of pounds and are subject to yearly licencing fees. Free diagnostics are not very common because you have every Tom ***** and Fred in the shed coming along for a freebie and taking the car away to do their own repairs. We have very often offered free diagnostics if we are given the opportunity to get the repair work. You should always ask for this at your dealer, he may be able to justify it to his service manager

Kingo

Reading is one thing, diagnosis and repair is another eh Kingo? ;)

[Dmitriy]

Hi Les (GIDDLEPIN),

Thanks for your reply. I also feel that I don't have any major issues related to these codes. By the way is there any simple way to check VVT? Is it true that it only kicks in at 4200rpm?

The resistance reading of my MAF meter is some 3.8kOhm, I think this is normal for the current air temperature (the repair manual only contains the figures for -20C, +20C and +60C) but the O-ring clearly needs replacing. Next I'm going to check and clean the VVT screen filter. I understand I need to take out the OCV to reach it?

Btw the charred connector on the wiring of one of 2 pre-cat oxygen sensors belongs to the sensor mounted in the outer 2 cylinder (1 and 4) exhaust "halfmanifold". Is it Bank 1 while Bank 2 is the same for the inner 2 cylinders (2 and 3), or Bank 1 is either/both pre-cat sensors while Bank 2 is post-cat sensors? Remember that P0420 refers to Bank 1. My reader says I have 3 sensors total: 1 & 2 in Bank 1 and 1 in Bank 2. Does it mean one is missing or dead? I can supply a detailed oxygen sensor report if necessary.

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

[timson]

Hi Les (GIDDLEPIN),

Thanks for your reply. I also feel that I don't have any major issues related to these codes. By the way is there any simple way to check VVT? Is it true that it only kicks in at 4200rpm?

The resistance reading of my MAF meter is some 3.8kOhm, I think this is normal for the current air temperature (the repair manual only contains the figures for -20C, +20C and +60C) but the O-ring clearly needs replacing. Next I'm going to check and clean the VVT screen filter. I understand I need to take out the OCV to reach it?

Btw the charred connector on the wiring of one of 2 pre-cat oxygen sensors belongs to the sensor mounted in the outer 2 cylinder (1 and 4) exhaust "halfmanifold". Is it Bank 1 while Bank 2 is the same for the inner 2 cylinders (2 and 3), or Bank 1 is either/both pre-cat sensors while Bank 2 is post-cat sensors? Remember that P0420 refers to Bank 1. My reader says I have 3 sensors total: 1 & 2 in Bank 1 and 1 in Bank 2. Does it mean one is missing or dead? I can supply a detailed oxygen sensor report if necessary.

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

There are only 3 sensors 2 before the cat and 1 after. Your code refers to the after cat sensor

[Dmitriy]

Hi timson,

I can now see them all at page EC-3 of the manual. Can I swap around the wiring of B1S1 and B2S1 to see if I start getting P0430 instead of P0420 (if I get P0420 again it's more likely the rear Cat itself, or the B1S2 sensor)? In the meantime I have measured their resistance and it is 12.8 and 13.8 Ohm, resp. Reaching the B1S2 connector is a PITA, will do it on a warmer day.

Is there any ELM327 software that can read the oxygen sensor voltages often enough to let their waveforms be reconstructed? ScanXL does not display the sensor period/frequency among the values retrieved despite this parameter is shown on a sample waveform.

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

[Sam29]

[camcreme]

i have one for clearing p420/430 on my 2002 AVENSIS VERSO its been a god send as Mr T says they cannot fix it ???http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-fault-code-reader-scanner-diagnostic-tool-OBD-2-CAN-/270679891664?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f05c75ed0#ht_2113wt_948 it was £24 on EBay, its works on both Older models & newer ones..Ian

Cannot open link - what reader was it

[Konrad C]

i have one for clearing p420/430 on my 2002 AVENSIS VERSO its been a god send as Mr T says they cannot fix it ???http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-fault-code-reader-scanner-diagnostic-tool-OBD-2-CAN-/270679891664?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f05c75ed0#ht_2113wt_948 it was £24 on EBay, its works on both Older models & newer ones..Ian

Cannot open link - what reader was it

I opened the link in eBay, but remember it will be 5 years out of date! All the code readers I got will be more up to date.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sis.html?_nkw=Car+fault+code+reader+scanner+diagnostic+tool+OBD+2+CAN&_itemId=270679891664&_trksid=p2047675.m4099#ht_2113wt_948&clk_rvr_id=937473949897&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

From the updated link I chose this once as an example. reader the literature and advice from this UK seller: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maxi-OBD2-scan-CAN-BUS-Fault-Code-Diagnostic-Reader-Scanner-tool-Vgate-iproscan-/151776482442?hash=item235695548a

The basic advice is make sure the scanner is for EU cars and not US. Make the seller is UK based and not just a warehouse with chinese connections.

I would avoid the tech stream because I got the US software and when I updated to EU, the software requested a pass code. So unless there is a reliable source, just get an OBD2 scanner.

I got a genuine Launch CRP129 as it covers everything for my car including the handbrake, and steering. That cost a lot more, but the updates are free. It did cost a lot!

[fastbob72]

Hi again,

Using software EasyOBDII that came with ELM327 I have obtained codes P0420 and P1349 (both in the "Stored DTC (S)" and "Pending DTC (S) detected during current or last completed driving cycle" sections):

P0420 -- Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

P1349 -- Fault Definition Not Available or Manufacturer Specific (there's also a Freeze Frame Data for this one), looks like it's VVT System Malfunction.

- How do I locate the MAF/airflow meter/sensor on a 1ZZ-FE engine? Seems like replacing it helped some of those who had these codes.

- One thing I spotted under the bonnet is the charred plastic connector on the cable going to one of 2 sensors or whatever screwed into the exhaust manifold: the connector has apparently touched the latter and even bare wires can be seen. Are they the pre-cat oxygen/O2/lambda sensors? Can I swap around their cables to see if P0420 moves to the other bank?

Also the software returned "Vehicle OBD Compliance = EOBD". Does it mean my car is not fully OBD2 compliant? I think I have read somewhere that EOBD was before OBD2 and they are not compliant but my reader is happy with it somehow.

Many thanks,

Dmitriy

The thing yoy have to remember with fault codes is that they tell you the curcuit or system that is at fault rather than the specific fault itself. Because it throws up. a MAF code, for example, that doesn't necessarily mean simply replacing the MAF sensor will fix the problem.It could be a fault anywhere between the sensor, the ecu and the wiring and connections in between, it tells you where to look rather than what the specific fault is exactly.

As for being EOBD compliant, that means European On Board Diagnostic compliant which is the same as OBD2 in the US, just as JOBD means Japanese OBD. The initial OBD protocol was a US only protocol so when it was agreed to make it an international requirement the rest of the world had to comply to the sane standard as the US adopted in the 90s which for them was OBD2 or the second national protocol but the first protocol that included the rest of the world, in Europe and Japan it was the first international pan-manufacturer OBD requirement so is known as EOBD and JOBD but IS the same OBD protocol as the rest of the world. As with most things these days it is what the US knows it as that everyone refers to it as so it has come to be referred as OBD2 internationally.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk