Portable Diagnostics Computer

[shovel66]

I have heard that you can buy diagnostic comp stuff to do your own car without paying out £30 - £60 each time has anyone got one of these and if so where did you get it and how much did it cost. I do all my own work on my car so this would come in very handy. I know they can be bought just don't know where from someone out there must have one

[Roverron]

Originally Posted by shovel66

I have heard that you can buy diagnostic comp stuff to do your own car without paying out £30 - £60 each time has anyone got one of these and if so where did you get it and how much did it cost. I do all my own work on my car so this would come in very handy. I know they can be bought just don't know where from someone out there must have one

For the petrol and post 2004 diesels, you can buy a simple hand held unit from

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDEOBD.html

This will read and clear fault codes and as you say, costs about the same as one diagnostic check at a dealer.

I have one doing quick checks on my X-type - its quick and simple to use.

You really only need the laptop based ones if you want to view and log sensor readings, in which case I'd recommend this one:

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_STN327.html

(Or the bluetooth version)

Ron

[Raistlin]

I have the bluetooth version of the Gendan OBD II.

My car isn't youthful enough for it to use the fault codes but it does the vehicle parameters perfectly.

Ideal for if you are tinkering with things in real time.

There is software available for both laptop PC and PDA.

It costs a little more than the wired version but has the advantage that you don't get the driver's legs caught up in cables