Technical what diagnostics tool??? urgent

[daz7505]

urgent help needed before i take a sledge hammer to the multipla.

got a 'w' reg 1.6 elx with sarting and running problems.

i need to know what code reader/scanner device works on this car.

spoke to a fiat mechanic and asked him if the multipla is obd2 compliant, and he said he thinks so but not sure,
asked parts guy, his answer was 'whats that?'

great help all round, not.

i refuse to pay fiats prices, and most garages round here are all cowboys.

i am a car alarm fitter, and no doubt would at some point use a scanner during my work. but at this precise moment i urgently need to know which device definately works on the multipla.

if you 'think' one may work, or have been told by a mate of a mate of a mate that one works, please i dont want to know..
i only want to know off people that have actually sucsessfully used a certain device. ie, model/part numbers, where to buy from, what software etc etc.

thanks

 

[JTDman]

I know its not what you want to hear but take it to a dealer , better still go round the back and speak to the mechanics and see if they will do an after hours job i did with a previous car and got what i wanted.
Mates got a scanner on obd2 but never worked on mine , most cheapy scanners can send you round the bend with miss diagnosis.

 

[daz7505]

I know its not what you want to hear but take it to a dealer , better still go round the back and speak to the mechanics and see if they will do an after hours job i did with a previous car and got what i wanted.
Mates got a scanner on obd2 but never worked on mine , most cheapy scanners can send you round the bend with miss diagnosis.

like i said, did go to fiat yesterday, i was there fitting a parrot kit into a car for them. told salesman that i was dealing with about my issue with the multipla and he took me into the workshop to speak to there best mechanic. and was not impressed with him. i worked on the spanners for over 10 years, and now do alarms, phonekits, towbars etc.(less mess and more money ). i know that my fault lies in either of these four things, immobiliser system, crank sensor, lambda sensor or injectors. but dont wnt to spend money on parts untill i know what the fault is, would rather by my own diagnostics device that i can use over and over again than give fiat any money when they seem to have underskilled monkeys working for them.

 

[T14086]

scanner (or code reader) is just a tool...because it displays a code it does NOT mean that is the fault, it should be used alongside other diagnostic equipment & a good sound diagnostic background to prove the fault.

p.s. parts guy wont sell code readers so he wouldn't know anyway probably.

 

[daz7505]

ive narrowed the fault down to the previous mentioned possibilities using my mechanical back ground, i was taught old school before computers were needed to be a mechanic. majority of mechanics now a days cant diagnose where the petrol goes with out plugging a computer in. i got taught the proper ways when i was at college, the only thing we had that was computerised was a gas tester for mot's and an electric typewriter lol.
i am stuck at moment and dont want to pay out for lambda sensor and still have fault, then pay out for crank sensor and still have fault etc etc. so as much as i have avoided using code readers in the past, this time i could do with a litle help.

 

[T14086]

i was taught old school before computers were needed to be a mechanic. majority of mechanics now a days cant diagnose where the petrol goes with out plugging a computer in. i got taught the proper ways when i was at college,

bit unfair, all techs must know the basics (at college) and Fiat training is second to none.

i am stuck at moment and dont want to pay out for lambda sensor and still have fault, then pay out for crank sensor and still have fault etc etc.

use a multimeter to test the lambda sensor then!

 

[JTDman]

If its a 4 wire you can test the heater element, I still reckon you should go to a dealer with the right test equipment for the engine.
You say you have narrowed it down to 4 areas but that aint narrowed down in my opinion get your hand in your pocket and pay for half hours labour it will save you money in the long run IF there is indeed a fault stored.