P38A Clarke OBD reader

Hi and Happy New Year to all!

Can anyone advise if this OBD reader will be suitable for finding what's going wrong with my 96 P38A Vogue SE. No particular faults at this time, but I am sure it will only be a matter of time! ;-). It doesn't have LPG, it seems to be returning typical consumption figures and I am only doing basic level fault finding/repair - anything complex/time consuming can go to the local specialist.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ceobdpro-engine-diagnostic-and-eobdobd/

Many thanks,

Mr_Blue_Sky said:

Hi and Happy New Year to all!

Can anyone advise if this OBD reader will be suitable for finding what's going wrong with my 96 P38A Vogue SE. No particular faults at this time, but I am sure it will only be a matter of time! ;-). It doesn't have LPG, it seems to be returning typical consumption figures and I am only doing basic level fault finding/repair - anything complex/time consuming can go to the local specialist.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ceobdpro-engine-diagnostic-and-eobdobd/

Many thanks,

Click to expand...

Limited engine only. Will do nothing else.

Hi Wammers,

many thanks for the steer - I was looking for something that would tell me why the tailgate doesn't open or any of the other myriad things that can go wrong. Any suggestions that are not an arm, leg & a kidney?

Many thanks,

Mr_Blue_Sky said:

Hi Wammers,

many thanks for the steer - I was looking for something that would tell me why the tailgate doesn't open or any of the other myriad things that can go wrong. Any suggestions that are not an arm, leg & a kidney?

Many thanks,

Click to expand...

Have you stripped the tailgate button ? They are prone to corrosion..use the search facility if it's working, lots of info there.

Mr_Blue_Sky said:

Hi Wammers,

many thanks for the steer - I was looking for something that would tell me why the tailgate doesn't open or any of the other myriad things that can go wrong. Any suggestions that are not an arm, leg & a kidney?

Many thanks,

Click to expand...

Nanocom is as good as it gets for the money, not an arm leg or Kidney. but bit of an ear and skin off your knees maybe. £446.00 plus post & insurance from Cyprus which can be considerable. Second hand ones do come up now and again on flea bay. Make sure it's for your model or it will cost £50.00 or so for the unlock codes.

Mr_Blue_Sky said:

Hi Wammers,

many thanks for the steer - I was looking for something that would tell me why the tailgate doesn't open or any of the other myriad things that can go wrong. Any suggestions that are not an arm, leg & a kidney?

Many thanks,

Click to expand...

Do all the doors unlock with fob or key?

1 set of keys open on the fob, the 2nd set of keys has stopped opening the car once we changed the batteries. The tailgate has been sorted - that was the last fault. I have since greased up anything that moves which seems to have helped.

Mr_Blue_Sky said:

1 set of keys open on the fob, the 2nd set of keys has stopped opening the car once we changed the batteries. The tailgate has been sorted - that was the last fault. I have since greased up anything that moves which seems to have helped.

Click to expand...

Ok i was going to say that the CDL switch in the drivers door lock provides ground to unlock all door with fob or key. It also provides ground for the tailgate latch. That circuit to open is made with tailgate button. So if all doors open it is the tailgate button at fault.

AFAIK the only diagnostics worth a light are Nanocom. There is so little in the way of OBD compliance in/on the P38 that everything else is a bit of a joke. The other thing with BBS nanocom is that there are a few about on this and other fori - so folk are quite likely to understand and have knowledge of the background to the fault too - rather than a simple "code PXXXX means the antimatter chamber is bust" type of "definition"

Of course, should you win the lottery, then LR's testbook may be your first purchase