Hi I'm looking for a cheap and cheerful diagnostic tool. No preference over hand held or laptop or Bluetooth. Not sure if the ones advertised actually do what they say. So hopefully someone out there has bought one there reasonably happy with it. If so let me know the details.

Edspunto said:

Hi I'm looking for a cheap and cheerful diagnostic tool. No preference over hand held or laptop or Bluetooth. Not sure if the ones advertised actually do what they say. So hopefully someone out there has bought one there reasonably happy with it. If so let me know the details.

Click to expand...

Hi,
My recommendation is an ELM327 USB interface and Multiecuscan running on a laptop. Look for a Modified for multiecuscan" interface on ebay or Amazon e.g.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271275445368
I've used this seller. You also need an adaptor lead (no.3 Yellow is common for Punto) to access some modules like ABS and steering. MES http://www.multiecuscan.net/ is 50 euros for the registered version, but worth every penny. If you want a quick cheap start you can use Torque with the same interface and get MES later when you need proper diagnostics.
What engine does your car have?

Robert G8RPI

Thanks for the reply I have a 1.2 8v.

+1 for Fiat MES.
Some ELM interfaces will work on the free engine module but not work after you pay for power steering and airbag access.
There is a simple solution. Desoldering the resistor worked for me.
http://forum.multiecuscan.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1493
It may also have something to do with the interface firmware. In particular Torque works with V2.1 whereas OhNo needs V1.5.
Many sellers are claiming to sell V1.5 but are actually delivering V2.1.

Brendan W said:

+1 for Fiat MES.
Some ELM interfaces will work on the free engine module but not work after you pay for power steering and airbag access.
There is a simple solution. Desoldering the resistor worked for me.
http://forum.multiecuscan.net/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1493
It may also have something to do with the interface firmware. In particular Torque works with V2.1 whereas OhNo needs V1.5.
Many sellers are claiming to sell V1.5 but are actually delivering V2.1.

Click to expand...

Unfortunatly the linked post on ELM327 modification is wrong. The good news is you don't haave to add the resistors and capacitors, just remove the 120 ohm resistor. Unless you are used to working on SMD components it's easier to just buy a known interface. The cheap ones only cost £5-£7 compared to £15-£17 for a modified one. Technically the mod on the MES forum is a DC blocked terminator. While DC blocking helps, there should be NO terminator on the OBD interface as it's not the end of the CAN bus. The car already has the two required bus end terminators fitted.

Robert G8RPI