General Fault Code Reader (JTD)

[mhowse]

Hi all

I have a 1.9 JTD mw, registerd Jan 2004 so presume built in 2003 and although have seared through posts here am still at a loss on a suitable basic home use code reader for the JTD
From what I have read gather the elm systems are causing problems with users is that correct??
Would the basic orange colour type code readers that you see on fleabay work ok for me just so I could see the code fault

The car is running fine but would like to have one in the tool box should a problem occur to speed up hunting down any issues..

many thanks for advice required
Mhowse

 

[bozzy]

Mines an 04 JTD and I use this e-bay jobbie.

 

[mhowse]

Thanks Bozzy

Thats the type I have seen, does it work ok for you and clear codes also if you have had the need to use it..

mhowse

 

[bozzy]

Thanks Bozzy

Thats the type I have seen, does it work ok for you and clear codes also if you have had the need to use it..

mhowse

Works a treat and has helped me on a few occasions. Correctly diagnosed a split intercooler hose recently. Yes it clears faults too so for £15 it's well worth the money.

 

[mhowse]

That will do for me then, with luck I won't need to use it for sometime but never know as the car has done 85k with full service and cambelt change, I like to do as much of the mechanical tasks myself as reasonably possible, so something like that will be a great help..

mhowse

 

[Argonought]

I'd make sure you choose a supplier that provides a 7 day return - just to be sure if using eBay.

 

[mhowse]

Aye will do Argonought....I was reading your post early and the problems of getting the elm to recognise in your jtd motor , I would of preferd something along the lines of the elm system on the laptop but least if I can just get to read any codes should they pop up it would be a step forward .
Still be very interesting on the outcome of you getting any laptop software to work correctly, would then have a crack at that option at a later date..hope an answer is found for that problem

mhowse

 

[Argonought]

Still be very interesting on the outcome of you getting any laptop software to work correctly, would then have a crack at that option at a later date..hope an answer is found for that problem

Code readers & OBD2 interface are synonymous as far as I can gather. If one works then so will the other.

You could always buy an ELM interface on the same basis (7 day return) and try it as it will provide a lot more options.

Bozzy's motor (2004) is OBD2 compliant but it would seem mine (2002) isn't. What's a little odd is that both of our engines have been remapped and that's done by the same interface so clearly some equipment (apart from just Fiat Examiner) is able to talk to both cars

This is OK but at something like £1,500 I think I'll give it a miss

 

[Steve148]

I bought a simple ELM USB device from eBay last year, it works fine on my 04 JTD using various freeware programmes (DigiMoto Lite, Scanmaster Free, Scantool etc).

Same seller still doing them for £27 delivered (eBay # 150236161022). Absolutely indispensable at that price, IMHO.

 

[stilosporting]

I bought a simple ELM USB device from eBay last year, it works fine on my 04 JTD using various freeware programmes (DigiMoto Lite, Scanmaster Free, Scantool etc).

Same seller still doing them for £27 delivered (eBay # 150236161022). Absolutely indispensable at that price, IMHO.

You say this works on your jtd? What can u actually do with the interface?

Argo, if u remember my jtd is 05 and it wouldnt work either. I know for a fact that the snap-on ethos works but is £1600.

 

[mhowse]

For now I have orderd one on the basic code readers like Bozzy uses and see how I get along with that.
Is very handy to know that if one works then the elm will work also as Argonought said, so will just have to wait see
Will post an update when it arrives wether or not it connects ok to the jtd.

thanks all for advice so far

mhowse

 

[mhowse]

ok so just to give others an idea the U380 code reader like Bozzy put a picture of has arrived

As far as I can tell it works on my Jan 04 JTD mw..connected it up switched on the ignition without starting the engine and it searched and connected to KWP2000, and displayed 'no codes' which is a good thing as the car is running great with a full service record, and just to put my mind at rest concerning the connection I tried connecting again but this time with ignition 'off' and it displayed 'Link Error' so gather from that it connects fine and keep the fingers crossed that I will not have a need for it for some time yet.

Now that I know it has no connection issues with a code reader will now look into the Elm setup as Aronought was good enough to let me know that if one connects then the other should also..

Many thanks to all for their input

mhowse

 

[stilosporting]

i wouldnt be too sure it is working correctly just yet. as the problem with the ones that dont work is that they display 'no codes' when there are some.

just 2 days ago i tried one that said 'no codes' but there were some stored. (i know this as a garage cleared them for me)

why not try disconnecting a sensor like the maf sensor just so you know there should be a code to read.

 

[Argonought]

Frank's made a very valid point there.

Disconnecting the MAF sensor will NOT generate any warnings on the dash but it WILL store a fault code.

If this code can be read then of course it also follows you can reset it.

If you can't then that's bad news as you'll eventually have to pay to have it reset with Examiner.

On the other hand, at least you'll be able to return the reader for a refund

I suspect it will work fine.

 

[mhowse]

Oooh umm should of thought of that !!!

Right just been out disconnected maf fired up got and engine fault on display with MIL illuminated ,,switched off plugged in the reader and got the P0101 code showing on the code reader which scouring through the handbook related to a MAF issue and shows on the code reader that the MIL is ON , right gulp erase time and yes Phew!! it does erase also I did this after plugging the MAF connector back on , and it also clears the MIL light on dash at same time so conclusion is that it does work and am now back to a fault free motor...
I take it that so long as the fault is fixed and the code erased then the MIL light will automatically go back to the Off setting??? as all I did was plug the maf back in and erase the code.

Cheers again..getting the hang on things slowely

mhowse

 

[stilosporting]

thats great news. and yeah the light will go out when the code is erased. although the light only tends to stay on for serious issues. otherwise it just flashes on and off once to say there is and issue and stores the fault code.

are you sure though that it was the maf you disconnected? i only ask as you are the first i know of to get the mil on when you disconnect that sensor? others like mine are fine when running but logs a code in the background.

 

[mhowse]

Have a feeling Stilosporting that it could be that the MIL light came on as I left the reader in when I fired up the engine after disconnecting the MAF which could of led to it becoming lit, not saying for sure it was that as I did not run the engine for long ,,the MAF I disconnected ,front of engine bay coming out of airbox, have figured now to get the best from the reader is to un-plug it from the obd2 socket each time to get an up to date read from it..main thing is that I am chuffed it works and the car is still running fine. and looking forward to seeing how I get on with the elm set up in the future.

mhowse

 

[stilosporting]

how much was it? good to hear it does work on your 04. in theory it should work on my 05.


well steve148 is letting me test his elm323 on my stilo so will let you know how i get on with that. it was successful on his 04.

i think it is the settings on the elm interfaces that stops it working as i have tried elm327 on mine (05)with no result and as you know argo (02) has tried 323 and 327 with no result.

 

[mhowse]

Yep be good to know if things can get sorted with the elm for you and any special settings you need to tweak,,mine was £26 total with postage from a uk seller on fleabay, think I will give the elm a shot in the future with at least knowing there is some sort of connection going on between the reader and the jtd has to be worth a shot at.

 

[thejerv]

Stilo code reader help

I've got a memoscan U381 code reader for my jtd. But when it connects to my car it say no data to display. I know theres a fault becuase I'm getting the pre heat message and the service light needs resetting. Has anybody else experience similar problems or can anybody help?