Ok, looking at these on eBay, and they all seem to think they only work on VW/Audi and Seat. I know that VAG IS VW Audi group, but will they also work on the Fiat, or do I need a different lead?

How good is the software? I know it's free so I can't complain too much, but would rather not splash out the tenner if it's not gonna be any help!

well according to:- http://www.fiatecuscan.net/

Thats exactly the right cable to use . Not too sure if it would work with a Fiat ECU using other software but I don't see why not. It's just a case of using the right baud, bits and com port and then getting software that can read it.

The lead itself should work on anything with a 16-pin OBD-II-style plug providing you have the correct driver. The software (Vag-Com) however will not. I have Vag-Com on my computer and it's not compatible with Fiats, even in generic OBD-II mode.

If you're using it for VAG cars, it's very good.

I got a cheap USB VAG-COM KKL lead off Ebay (£8.20 inc. P&P from China, arrived within a week) and have used it with the free FiatECUScan software to diagnose on a Mk2b. It works OK although I get an error suggesting driver latency is too high (don't think that's hurting though as I can see faults, monitor parameters and reset the light). ECU is IAW59F. I also did the mod to connect pin 7 to pin 3 inside the plug so that it talks to the air bag control. I then reset the airbag light that has been on for a couple of years.

The lead has an FTDI chip in it and that's what you need the USB to serial driver for. My lead came with drivers on a mini CD but I downloaded a newer driver from FTDI website. The baud rates sort themselves out. You need to select the right COM port from within the program (the FTDI driver creates a virtual serial port). Other than that it was pretty much plug and play.

red.

Nice one. Might get one for myself to have a play. If it works well I'll recommend the pro version to my local specialist .

im tempted to get one to have a poke around and for a tenner cant go wrong never know when it will come in use for me or mates

Do let me know if any of you guys get this driver latency error (especially if you had it and got rid of it). Latest driver from FTDI allowed me to set latency down to 1mS (via PC Control Panel) but the error persists.

red.

jip, from a bit of a web wander, it looks like it should work on any car that is obd2 compliant. You might need different software, but it looks like there is freeware for most manufacturers!

At last, no £60 just for the dealer to plug the bleeping thing in!