Fault code readers

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svesey
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Fault code readers

Post by svesey »

Anyone know anything about the Maxidiag FR704 scan tool

http://www.autotec-direct.com/maxidiag- ... -531-p.asp
addo
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Post by addo »

Looks like it does most of the basic diagnostics; very similar to the one I've access to. It won't help if you want to know ECU software version details, or to upgrade that. I think they're also a good tool for going to a Cit dealer with a little foreknowledge (and they should note down what you are telling them - both faults read and tool used!) but suspect that for C5 onwards major work, the dealer computers may have the edge.

If you do buy something like the one linked, be prepared for a stream of fairweather friends wanting their airbag ECU codes cleared after they drove the car with a passenger seat missing (just one example). The ones with a full keypad allow situations like this (where you may have to enter the VIN) to be done more easily.

Regards, Adam.
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Post by citronut »

they say it works on citroens from 1996?????, i would sudgest it dose not, as it was not legislated for cars produced in EUROP to be OBD/EOBD compliant until 2001 for petrol and 03/04 on diesels,

even then te manufacturers twist the rules so OBD/EOBD compliant still dont do all functions, as there are still manufacturer specific pins

however it was legislated in USA for all vehicles to be OBD compliant from 1996

ask the seller if it comes with the citroen 30 pin plug!!!!!!!!!, as im sure it wont

regards malcolm

ps.

it dose also depend on the year of your car to wether this will even plug in
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Post by JohnD »

At £176 how does it compare with this one at £45.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GS400-Scanner-OBD ... 286.c0.m14
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Post by addo »

Malcolm, I tell the scan tool my car (Feb '99 Xantia break) is a Peugeot 406 with XU10J4R motor and AL4 box. It then reads everything perfectly! :lol:

It's my suspicion that everyone selling half decent non-dealer tools is more or less using the same software by now.

Regards, Adam.
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DickieG
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Post by DickieG »

addo wrote:Malcolm, I tell the scan tool my car (Feb '99 Xantia break) is a Peugeot 406 with XU10J4R motor and AL4 box. It then reads everything perfectly! :lol:

It's my suspicion that everyone selling half decent non-dealer tools is more or less using the same software by now.

Regards, Adam.
But then your Xantia was made for a non European market, Peugeot and Citroen work on slightly different protocols (in Europe at least).
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Post by addo »

It's also a really tiny market. I just couldn't imagine them changing more than they had to (door intrusion bars, different mirror glasses, rear centre seat belt details, speedometer accuracy and pollution controls). There were no locally mandated diagnostic protocols in the Xantia era.

I'm further able to run through all the little operational tests like pulsing injectors and carbon canister purge valve operation, read temperatures including transmission oil; have a feeling there may even be a gross log of engine hours too. But to rewrite the specs for such a small sales quantity when there was no obligation, just doesn't make sense to me.

Not trying to be argumentative, just realistic - the tightfisted importers certainly wouldn't pay for anything they didn't have to! If only they'd mandated Activa spec! :twisted:

Regards, Adam.
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