fault code readers-help!!

I’ve been stalking OBD scanners on the web for a while. The site above stands out as good advice, and products. I like their U581, but would prefer the extra stuff on the pc-based device.

I should point out the above is in respect to looking at other similar devices on the web. I don’t own either of them. I’ll be buying a pc-based version off them soon.

'tis cheaper on ebay than on the web site, even with insured postage

Optimus Prime said:

'tis cheaper on ebay than on the web site, even with insured postage

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Optimus is dead right AGAIN on this!

Ive just bought a fault scanna, ELM327 OBD2..

from here..

ELM327 OBD2 Diagnostic Fault Code Reader Scanner USB UK on eBay, also, Diagnostic Tools Equipment, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 28-Nov-08 15:41:49 GMT)

But i cant use it.. you have to download "Chinese language pack" from
the interweb.. tryed that.. you have to have "Windows Office XP"...
i dont have that! they prompt me to buy it!! no i aint!!

Anywun got any ideas.. im pc thick, so make it simple!! please!

that's the same firm as offering the hand held one. you shouldn't have to download chinese language pack, as that is to let your pc/laptop display/work in chinese, which is no good to man nor beast. (unless you is chinese)

without teaching you to suck eggs, there isn't a bit in the install which asks you what language you want to use is there ? just a thought. Failing that, pm the guy in this thread who said he was using free software and ask him to post the link.

unfortunately, I'm a bit of a long way to come and help (not that I'm a pc pro at all, just have a bit of experience through work with software using comms ports etc)

Chris, would this work on my 1999 L series Freelander, do you think?
Cheers,
Martin

Hi all just bought a code reader from ebay £30 tells me it cant make contact, says probable cause ignition not on but it is, any idea why this reader cant lock on or whatever it does.

Tom Hind said:

Hi all just bought a code reader from ebay £30 tells me it cant make contact, says probable cause ignition not on but it is, any idea why this reader cant lock on or whatever it does.

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Petrol or diesel, if diesel what year ? Diesels pre 2004 are not usually OBD 11 compliant.

Tom Hind said:

Hi all just bought a code reader from ebay £30 tells me it cant make contact, says probable cause ignition not on but it is, any idea why this reader cant lock on or whatever it does.

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Hi Tom, guys,

I've been doing some research into ODB readers and Freelanders, for my own Freeby!
(HDC is not coming up when I engage it....)

Anyway, depending on year and fuel depends on what ODB version you have, the generic code readers will work so long as you modify your Freeby first!

Recall Details for LAND ROVER - FREELANDER (Petrol version only)

Seems LR forgot to follow the rules!
Tom, I'm guessing you brought the ELM327?

I've tested a blue tooth version and a wired version same result as you, checked Pin 5, on mine its not earthed!
(Next job and I'll test again)
http://www.obdkey.com/images/obd_connector.jpg
http://image.pinout.net/pinout_obd2_files/10534d1245708139-eas-cable-pinout.jpg

The American market forced the use of ODB II bits'n'bobs, so post '96 the ELM 327 should be fine.
Land Rover Freelander OBDII Readers OBD2 Code Tool Scanner

Pre '95/6 are not ODBII compliment!
Nor' is it ODBI, 'apparently' a true LR reader is needed for these!

I have an ELM327 (a proper one not a pretend fake one) and I have to tell it to retry about 4 or 5 times. Each time it tries a different "language" and on the last attempt it works.

Great!
I re-checked the OBD port (this time removing it from the bracket to get a better look at it) and counted the right row in the right direction ....&... found a wire is attached to Pin 5!

Hippo, you say re-trying the connection seems to make your work. I've tried doing that with the ELM 327 Bluetooth unit v1.4, nothing.
I'll try the wired unit (v1.7) later this afternoon and update again.

Do you have the version number for the unit you are using?
Can I ask what application reader you use?
Torque ..?

Hawkmoon said:

...Hippo, you say re-trying the connection seems to make your work. I've tried doing that with the ELM 327 Bluetooth unit v1.4, nothing.
I'll try the wired unit (v1.7) later this afternoon and update again.

Do you have the version number for the unit you are using?
Can I ask what application reader you use?
Torque ..?

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Elmscan 5 USB from autotech-direct.com
Hareware rev 1.5
Firmware rev 1.3
Software scantool.net ver 1.14

And I get this = http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/2001-td4-obd2-88223.html

I've upgraded to a hawkeye. Not perfect and has features (mistakes) but does a lot more.

Hippo said:

Elmscan 5 USB from autotech-direct.com
Hareware rev 1.5
Firmware rev 1.3
Software scantool.net ver 1.14

And I get this = http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f9/2001-td4-obd2-88223.html

I've upgraded to a hawkeye. Not perfect and has features (mistakes) but does a lot more.

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Hippo - are either of the systems capable of identifying a dirty/leaking injector ? I have watched a couple of your videos and the "fuel comp" readings are zero. Is this because the menu is only for petrol engines ?
I have an occasional lumpy tick-over, and very occasional slow starting. If it is an injector I'd like to identify it. As is is occasional I don't think a leakback test will show me much. Or am I wrong ?
Phil.

PhilPrice said:

Hippo - are either of the systems capable of identifying a dirty/leaking injector ? I have watched a couple of your videos and the "fuel comp" readings are zero. Is this because the menu is only for petrol engines ?

I have an occasional lumpy tick-over, and very occasional slow starting. If it is an injector I'd like to identify it. As is is occasional I don't think a leakback test will show me much. Or am I wrong ?

Phil.

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Don’t know about leak back testing as I have a v6 petrol so I can’t test it. The video’s are of a td4 Freelander which I plugged me Hawkeye into to see if it would pick up his fault. He kindly drove up and down the road while I recorded the Hawkeye screen, to put on you tube for others to see. As the Hawkeye only displays live data or live data at the time a menu is opened, then you may not see errors if the fault is a sudden fault which clears.

Sadly the Hawkeye doesn’t have a manwell. Well it does but it will be the programmers manwell with all the info they have on interfacing with the Freelanders computers. Top secrete so they won’t let me or anyone have a copy, or even reduce the content and allow it to be distributed as a Hawkeye owners manwell. Hence you buy a product with no instructions other than the very basic how to plug in stuff… That’s not helpful to say the least. It’s strange they were happy to join in when someone on ere wanted to start a help group for Hawkeye owners. I use their competitors website who also sell similar diagnostic equipment to Hawkeye. I’ve not used it though. They’ve put up a lot of supporting info. This will be of interest to you: https://www.blackbox-solutions.com/shop/help/SM036.html from this menu: https://www.blackbox-solutions.com/shop/help/

I agree the Hawkeye doesn’t give a value other than 0 for the “fuel comp” reading. Blackbox solutions don’t list it on their links posted above. So I can only assume the value isn’t available, or its function/status isn’t available or the data isn’t being retrieved. The menu’s in my td4 video’s are specific to the td4 and are different to other Freelander engines. If your engine computer logs an error code then you’ll be able to read that if your Freelander is odbii compliant, with an odbii reader. Hawkeye will read all Freelander 1’s if it’s licensed for Freelander 1, like mine is.

can someone tell me in plain english what a bloody code reader is, i am 63 and never seen or used one on any car, mind u they are all old, newest is 1998 freelander diesel, now wundering will i ever need one, what is it, and what does it do, ie tell u whats wrong if car wont start etc. and if i had one could someone like me know how to use it.

Reads and usually clears the fault codes stored in ECU, most cheaper ones only read engine faults, more expensive units may also read transmission, ABS, aircon and other non engine faults. Fault codes relating to engine faults, often emissions, are usually indicated by the Engine Management Light illuminating, fault codes usually can't be cleared if the fault is still present. Diesels were not On Board Diagnostic 2 compliant until 2003/4 so dealers/independent LR garages the only option in this case.

so i dont need one

No as it won't work

Hippo said:

Chris T

Thanks for the reply. I’ll be buying one too now. I understand that I’ll only be able to read engine data, and not the air bag stuff etc. This is ok for me. I have found someone who will sell me a device that does everything, but this is £450. It’s also licensed to your vin number, and won’t work with any other car. That’s too expensive to be worth it for me.

I plan to buy a pc based device, and will probably buy some software too. Will try it out with the free stuff first. Will post a thread about it when I do. Probably near the end of the year.

I too have been “taken” on several occasions by main dealers. Last year he needed a replacement auto gear box. Also a 60k services, and new pads/disks. Cheeky muppets even sent me a letter today reminding me it’s time to flease me again.

Going to try to do the 72k cam belt service myself early next year. If it all goes ok, LRO have sort of agreed to publish it in the mag, if it's good enough.

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I'm in the middle of doing a KV6 cam belt "How to" guide on an MG forum!!
I use a Blue tooth 327 witch hooks up to my phone. I can check the engine any time a like.

Nodge68 said:

I'm in the middle of doing a KV6 cam belt "How to" guide on an MG forum!!
I use a Blue tooth 327 witch hooks up to my phone. I can check the engine any time a like.

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Thanks. I did my cam belt 13k miles ago and it's been happy since. Took a bit longer than the book time of 5.2 hours but I've never done a cam belt before. It was interesting and fun to do and taught me a lot.

After buying the ELM327 odbii scanner I found I could only see limited items as above link so I bought a Hawkeye which does loads more. At £300 you'd expect it too. Filmed loads of data on it and put it on my you tube channel.

There's some kv6 cam belt video's on you tube too (not mine):

rover kv6 - YouTube

rover kv6 - YouTube

kv6 belt change - YouTube


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