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Ebay ECU Fault Code Readers - Are they any good?

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Old 07 December 2011, 06:58 PM
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Steve vRS
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Default Ebay ECU Fault Code Readers - Are they any good?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-VAG-Dia...item2314802a08

My wife's A3 1.8T Sport keeps popping on it's check engine light. The RAC have been out twice to turn it off and Awesome GTi have replaced one bit but it's still coming on every 2-3 weeks with the same fault code. No loss in power, no loss in mpg. The car is 10 years old and I really do not want to throw more money at it, merely check the code and turn the light off so it is not hiding an other fault.

So, is this device any good?

Ta in advance!

Steve
Old 07 December 2011, 07:16 PM
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classicgc8
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hi steve ,if you know it what was the previous code you had ???
Old 07 December 2011, 07:21 PM
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wrx willie
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i have a mactool code reader for sale 100 deliverd
Old 07 December 2011, 07:29 PM
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steve ex vauxhall
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i bought similar off ebay about 2 years ago and worked a treat, however the mac tools one above looks to be a bargain, i would be buying that instead
Old 07 December 2011, 07:39 PM
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I have one for my 2001 Passat TDI - works faultlessly
Old 07 December 2011, 08:01 PM
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Can you not just google the fault code and see what you find out?
Old 07 December 2011, 09:01 PM
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Steve vRS
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It's getting the code that is hard! I'm away from home at the mo. so can't remember the previous fault code. If it is the same one again (running rich). It has no effect on the car as I think it is an intermittent fault and I just want the code cleared.

The Mactool one is, I'm sure, a fantastic bit of kit but is worth 10% of the car's value!

Might just get one. It's still less coin than paying a garage to check and clear the code.

Steve

Last edited by Steve vRS; 07 December 2011 at 09:08 PM.
Old 07 December 2011, 10:10 PM
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the mactool one is in perfict working order and if any on pm's me the number i will send them pics of it i have a snapon one at work so no need for the mactool one
Old 07 December 2011, 10:12 PM
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pm me with phone number or email and i will send pics
Old 07 December 2011, 10:15 PM
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The Dogs B******s
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Originally Posted by Steve vRS
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-VAG-Dia...item2314802a08

My wife's A3 1.8T Sport keeps popping on it's check engine light. The RAC have been out twice to turn it off and Awesome GTi have replaced one bit but it's still coming on every 2-3 weeks with the same fault code. No loss in power, no loss in mpg. The car is 10 years old and I really do not want to throw more money at it, merely check the code and turn the light off so it is not hiding an other fault.

So, is this device any good?

Ta in advance!

Steve
Don't waste your money with that one,they're sh*t.
Old 07 December 2011, 11:04 PM
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mart360
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Buy an ELM based reader -

it will work with VAG com & some Vauxhall / GM /Saab as well

The simple readers may only tell you what codes are stored, the ELM unit tells me what code & can clear them too


Mart
Old 08 December 2011, 10:25 AM
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Ive just bought an Innova 3160 for my pickup. Because my vehicle is an American import I got one from the states which not only reads generic codes but manufacturer specific fault codes. It also has the ability to read abs codes and do a sensor check to ensure the car is running ok so it will pass an emissions test. It will record live data so you can check for those intermittent faults



Get one that reads your vehicles specific codes not just generic codes. I spent £120
Old 12 December 2011, 01:03 PM
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Steve vRS
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Well it read the code, I confirmed it was the same one I always get and deleted it. Well worth £20

Steve
Old 12 December 2011, 02:59 PM
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billythekid
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I use Palmer Performance Engieering reader for my Range Rover.
Works, in fact cleared a P0171 fault code today with it.
Cost me about £20 from e-bay.

Takes a bit of know how to set up com ports and get the software working but once its working you just plug it into your laptop and off you go.

Clears faults, reads all sensors, will record data etc.
Old 12 December 2011, 07:58 PM
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sim618
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i bought a similar one off ebay,same make and has saved me a fortune,used it on a wrx bug,rav 4 and golf to diagnose and clear faults,didnt think it would work but it does,bargian!
Old 13 December 2011, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by billythekid
I use Palmer Performance Engieering reader for my Range Rover.
Works, in fact cleared a P0171 fault code today with it.
Cost me about £20 from e-bay.

Takes a bit of know how to set up com ports and get the software working but once its working you just plug it into your laptop and off you go.

Clears faults, reads all sensors, will record data etc.
I had a look at this and the enhanced reader and software came to many hundreds of dollars- you got a bargain!
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