Diagnostic kit

I know about the Hawkeye but I have a TD4 and my wife a BMW Mini so wonder if anyone has any thoughts on anything that would do diagnostic and resets on both these.

I have a laptop and understand things IT so have seen CDs on fleabay which suggest they'd be ok for both cars - just need the cd a laptop and the connection lead.

Does anyone have any knowledge and expertise they wouldn't mind sharing?

Thanks

Generally I would go straight to the company's for the software as a lot of them have subscription based updates which you need to have purchased a genuine copy in order to receive. I imagine a lot of the stuff for sale on eBay is cracked software which is illegal and won't allow you to update. All of the master techs I know use Bosch diagnostics bit I have heard good things about snap on.

Yes I understand that but I am afraid I cannot justify spending big bucks. The eBay software is a shareware set that has been put into a user friendly cd I believe so no rip off ( but may be) it's just that the one I saw suggested it would do mini and BMW so I wondered if anyone had tried it on a TD4

think it will be limited to what information can be obtained from the ecu. sometimes it's just really basic data like engine speed and temp depends on the software and reader kit.

this has been covered a few times, with nothing conclusive about cheap ebay kit (think we might know the answer though) it has always ended with the poster buying a proper diagnostic tool

let us know if you decide to take the plunge. if you need a lead made up, mad hat man is worth a holler.

Like OP says - there are plenty of interfaces on ebay that will connect the socket in the car to the pc with varying degrees of sucess.
The trick is getting the PC to talk to the ECU's in the car to retreive the information.
The LR range has to allow 'basic' (emissions based) information to be read - EU rulz I fink.
But all of the interesting stuff from the Engine ECU, Alarm ECU, ABS ECU, Transmission ECU (Auto's) and CC ECU (if you have one) all need access codes from the PC to enable access to their data.
A few aftermarket systems e.g. Hawkeye have paid LR for the licence to use the codes and do work but everything on ebay that 'claims' to read LR that is cheap is 'probably' exaggerated greatly in it's capabilities.
I have an ELM box that accesses the car but all of the pc software I have tried so far, including some stuff that reads all of the ford and chysler ranges only gives access to the LR basics like OP says. :scratching_chin:
Looks like I'll be saving for a Hawkeye when I need one - seems like the best value for money available that I found so far.
Look at it this way - it's less than twice the price of the genuine LP fuel pump and less than a new HP pump or a couple of new injectors so avoiding those mistakes makes it cost in? :high5::high5:
If you do manage to find the magic bullet software - please share. :tea::tea::tea:

I have been browsing the web and there are a few American scanners with software and connector that say they read any OBD and OBD11 car - the visuals look good and the kit without the laptop is about £100. I might drop them an email and ask the specifics.

I would go for Hawkeye but my wife now has a 2002 Mini and it would be good to have kit that can do both - they are both BMW after all!!

op2:

i'll let you be the guinea pig on this one then...be interested as i've got an 04 cooper s as well

fyi - i've got vagcom (audi vw seat) and opcom (vauxhall) if anyone needs a hook up

angeloc said:

I have been browsing the web and there are a few American scanners with software and connector that say they read any OBD and OBD11 car - the visuals look good and the kit without the laptop is about £100. I might drop them an email and ask the specifics.

Click to expand...

Got any links so we can take a look?

Chaser said:

Got any links so we can take a look?

Click to expand...

I will post them tonight - out on the bike at present - day off, sunshine and a twitchy right hand!

Angeloc - got the Palmer ScanXL Elmscan V2.00 (US stuff) on my laptop, it's a good system but it don't read the FL except the general codes.
Their web forum has been saying they're looking into a bolt on for the LR/Jaguar range but that was over a year ago and no sign yet. Reads lots of US Ford and Chysler tho'.
Don't spend too much time on that one.

Ok here is the initial sift to look at - I am on my iPhone at the moment so not going to attempt to fire them up and tell you which one I thought looked a bit interesting.

Any comments gratefully accepted.

http://www.autotap.com/product.asp

http://www.myscantool.com/

http://www.talktomycar.co.uk/index.htm

UPDATE - I though the first one Autotap looked promising.

I have a number of car mechanics mags with diag kit write ups in. PM me if yer wants a copy. Covers basic hand held up to the more expensive stuff you'd buy if you were a garage.

I didn't see anything in those links to suggest they do anything other than emissions related faults unless your buying the most expensive ones aimed at the professional.....

chaser is spot on !
Dont buy any diagnostic gear if its EOBD ! All you will be able to read is emmssion based fault codes for the engine !There are many other faults that can occur within the ECU that you will not be able to read and clear !with EOBD !
They will not read or clear any other fault codes and wont access ABS, AC, suspension, BCM ( Body controller ) and many more.
They are not even worth £50.00
As Chaser says iether pay for proffessional diag gear or leave well alone.
On the very rare occassion cheap diag gear can cause damage to vehicl;es and have seen a few dashes go up in smoke ! so be carefull.
Hawkeye was a kit designed for L/R by a company that used to make software and hardware for Landrover diagnostics and is very good, I have seen it in full flow and that is more ideal for the DIY.

Ok does anyone know if a Hawkeye would read a Mini as well? It's BMW so I kind of think there may beca possibility.

I am new to diagnostics - I am old school - listen and feel but I concede defeat with the TD4! and the Mini

I plan to buy the Hawkeye - My cheap eBay cable does all I need with my other car, a Mondeo.

Problem is even if the Hawkeye could work with your Mini doesnt it cost £140 for the extra car upgrade?

zoolander said:

I plan to buy the Hawkeye - My cheap eBay cable does all I need with my other car, a Mondeo.

Problem is even if the Hawkeye could work with your Mini doesnt it cost £140 for the extra car upgrade?

Click to expand...

Good point I forgot about the ridiculous cost of more than one vehicle!!!