Diagnosing Engine Problems

[tubaman]

Following a recommendation on the forum, I decided to import a diagnostic device from Scantool.net in America. Unit is basically a small black box of tricks that lies between the diagnostic socket of your car and your laptop (assuming you have one). You then fire up the free to download software from Scantool & read off various engine management fault codes/engine readings eg.rpm,O2 etc etc while your car is running.

Fired it up for the first time today & have to say, for the cost of the unit, very impressed. ALL I NEED NOW IS A FAULT TO DIAGNOSE !

As I intend to keep the car for a while, the idea is when/if my car developes an engine fault, I am simply planning to diagnose the fault (as your local main dealer would do), replace the part & away I go.

Anyone else using one of these devices or have used one successfully ?

When you go into the software, there is clearly additional functionality that Scantool are going to add on at a later date-I hope sooner rather than later.

Overall impressed but I havn`t had a fault yet - I am confident it would find a sensor fault if/when one developes.

[animaal]

Following a recommendation on the forum, I decided to import a diagnostic device from Scantool.net in America. Unit is basically a small black box of tricks that lies between the diagnostic socket of your car and your laptop (assuming you have one). You then fire up the free to download software from Scantool & read off various engine management fault codes/engine readings eg.rpm,O2 etc etc while your car is running.

Sounds good - which model did you order?

[ulro]

tubaman

Do what I did. Pull off the connector on your engine temperature sensor and start the engine. Your "check engine light" will be turned on and an error code will be recorded on your scantool device. Remount the sensor connector and use the scantool to clear the code and turn off the check engine light and "Bob's your uncle"

[bryanbengal1]

what tool did you purchase and what was the cost including postage

[tubaman]

Ulro, what a good idea, I`ll give it a go next few weeks. Cost, can`t remember but fairly sure was under £100 incl. potage and I didn`t get caught with customs etc (something to do with the way it was packaged) - not sure which model I ordered (it was afew months back) but it`s easy to work out when you carefully look a their sight.

If you have a laptop lying around with serial ? ports on the back (some no longer have these) & few spare quid - well worth a look at.