A scan tool recommendation

[doctle]

Hi Guys,
I forgot to put the plug on the MAF sensor on my 207 when I started it I got an antipolloution fault. For future reference and to save money is there a handheld scan tool I could use? I saw this on eBay would it do?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2018-Univers ... 1438.l2649

Paul

[Gibbo2286]

I don't know about the scanner but the seller has an awful lot of negative feedbacks, many along the lines of this:

Not An Irish seller like he states! 15 days later and I still haven't received m
Buyer: c***c ( 101)
During past month

[doctle]

I didn't really look at the feedback luckily I didn't do the usual feet first jump in. Well spotted Gibbo. There are other sellers of those scan tools and I saw a mention of this tool on this site. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ELM327-Bluet ... ctupt=true
Paul

[GiveMeABreak]

Dont expect to do much except read and clear some faults with generic code readers. They also won’t work with constructor specific codes, nor will they be able to read all the ECUs.

Diagbox is the proprietary Diagnostic kit used by PSA but you do need to get the hardware kit and a laptop to use it.

There’s a link in the Diagnostics section to a member recommended supplier with a discount. Of course there are other vendors too.

[doctle]

I have a Linux computer Id have to use WINE etc to run the software if it would run it at all and that could be dodgy. I just want something handheld or that connects to a phone

[GiveMeABreak]

Forget it on Linux - it won't be supported - it's bad enough on Windows

If it's just a basic code reader - it's a bit of a lottery - trial and error, but like In said it may have issues reading constructor codes.

[doctle]

How about those Bluetooth thingies Marc are they any good or just so cheap that it's not worth the grief to return it?
Paul

[GiveMeABreak]

To be honest Paul I've never used anything apart for Diagbox / Lexia, but as you would expect, we do get lots of issues here with members reporting limited success with these things in various incarnations of bluetooth dongles and phone apps and the stand alone readers.

Your other issue is going to be compounded in that as the various ECUs are changed and upgraded over the years, the standard readers don't. So you may have one that works on a certain model of a certain year, but can't read the ECU on the same model a year later if you get my drift?

That's why the Diagbox OEM system software and the VCI firmware is released regularly to account for development in hardware changes and software of the ECUs incorporated into the vehicles.

[doctle]

The guy that turned off the light for only €30 uses Snooper diagnostic device. I have seen it advertised before but again it's windows only

[GiveMeABreak]

The vast majority will be Windows based.

The more expensive systems also provide additional functionality and some programming, but really only the dealer level systems have it all.

[doctle]

The light is off now so maybe I'll wait to get something Marc, it was my carelessness. I saw a Foxwell scanner on Gendan website supposed to clear airbag faults, ABS faults as well as engine faults works on french cars but not cheap

https://www.gendan.co.uk/product_FXNT520PSA.html

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, but remember that most faults will clear themselves automatically when the cause is eradicated. If not, the light will come back on of course. But as for interrogation of the ECUs, these are constanatly being updated, with each new incarnation having different operating methods, and software,so it is no surprise that generic readers simply are not able to keep pace.

[doctle]

So the antipollution warning would have went on off its own?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes once certain conditions are met, it is perfectly normal for the light to switch off. The Injection systems are very refined and are quite capable of determining problems. The computer reads information from various sensors and when necessary will change the operating parameters and the air / fuel mixture and the EGR and turbo for example to compensate.

But when the expected values of a system fall,out of the expected range for a certain time, the ECU will put the engine management light on and may reduce power to reduce emissions and protect the engine components. A fault code will be logged to record the issue and stored. If however, the fault conditions disappear, the light is extinguished, but the fault will still be recorded for information.

[doctle]

Thanks Marc, it was only a MAF sensor cable. I know you usually need a scan to find the problem on this occasion I already knew the problem I didn't know plugging it in would cause the light to go out. I've had too many VAG cars in the past!
Paul