EML - Advice on cheap Code Reader for 206 1.1

[ecohouse1]

I am running about in my daughters first car (Pug 206 1.1 2001) Its a great little car, I love driving it as it feels like a go kart. After a shaky start last year when everything was going wrong, it has been a gem. When driving home on Friday night, the EML came on. No change to the performance at all. Just a light.

I will be selling the car on soon so don;t want to go to the expense of a Lexia. Has anyone used one of the plug in (Cable attached) code readers on ebay to identify the culprit?I suspect a Lambda. I also have a Merc 190 and Rover 75 diesel so a code reader that did all would be a bonus. I was lent one of the bluetooth ones but it doesnt power up on the 206 and therefore doesnt send a signal.

I tried testing the sensors yesterday but I couldnt see how to as the plug is sealed when connected. I checked the heater part of the post cat sensor and it was showing resistance within an acceptable range.

Many thanks

[Mandrake]

2001 may be too early to be generic OBD-II compatible.

Although US cars were all OBD-II by 1996 by law, in the EU Petrols were not mandated OBD-II compatible until 2001 and Diesels until 2004. That's model year, so an existing model still selling in 2001 doesn't count. For example the Xantia was still on sale in 2001 but was most definitely not OBD-II compatible, and I suspect the same is the case with a 206 whose original release well pre-dates the new requirements.

Your best bet might be to find a nearby forum member who would be willing to put the car on their Lexia for you!

If you have a scope the lambda sensor is fairly easy to test without a Lexia, and you could do it at a pinch with a multimeter as well. Let me know if you want more details.

BTW you talk about the post cat (downstream) oxygen sensor, did you also test the heater for the upstream oxygen sensor ? Also, I've worked on the oxygen sensor on a 206 before and I don't recall it having both an upstream and a downstream sensor ? The one I worked on only had an upstream sensor.

[spider]

I'd agree if a nearby member can help it would be best.

The generic ones, um I had a hand held one for my old Corolla (yes I know don't ask its been gone 18 months nearly now) and it did not work ( ! ) , the annoying thing was I later borrowed another generic one and that did.

The iPhone type ones appear to be half reasonable, a neighbour has one. Bear in mind its only going to read OBD type codes, I know this is not the case here but if you had say an AL4 trans fault it would probably not show *any* faults, if that makes sense ?

Do you have a laptop/netbook ? A generic USB / OBD2 cable and CD with some 'reader' software on it may be an economical way of doing this.

[ecohouse1]

I do have a laptop. Would I get this sort set up on ebay? If so what would I be looking for? Sorry I am not really up on this fault code but keen to learn more about it.

I did try Chris Morewoods Lexia last year on the Pug after trying (without success) to resurrect the Xantia Immobiliser Fault. I couldnt seem to get a Peugeot Menu - it just listed all Citroen models. I tried a Saxo 1.1 but that didnt work. Maybe I wasnt in the right Menu

Cheers

Alan

[spider]

I could not actually see any half decent 'generic' ones for a laptop.

However one of these may be OK. Please bear in mind I cannot personally vouch for them , but they seem 'reasonable' for their price. Just watch that they will not read really 'specific' codes out aka ABS or Trans issues and the like, not unless you are lucky but they should deal with most generic codes OK...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KW806-Any-car ... 307315962/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U480-Universa ... 907644060/
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-fault-rea ... 852375727/

No real preference to the list, although to be honest if I had to buy one I'd probably pick the third simply as it states 'UK Stock' , so hopefully it may be more useful. The 'broken' generic one I had was full of US makes which did not help.

EDIT... Found a 'USB' one...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Any-Car-unive ... 352208121/

[ecohouse1]

Thanks Andy. That's great. I'll have a look at these. Cheers, Alan

[ecohouse1]

Went for a cheap code reader and it worked. It gives generic codes. I am getting a catalyst function defect so I am assuming that the post cat lambda is at fault? Are these a weakness on the 206 1.1 engine? It's on 67k miles prob original sensor. There seems a lot of choice on eBay. Any tips/advice? Thanks Alan

[spider]

Went for a cheap code reader and it worked. It gives generic codes. I am getting a catalyst function defect so I am assuming that the post cat lambda is at fault? Are these a weakness on the 206 1.1 engine? It's on 67k miles prob original sensor. There seems a lot of choice on eBay. Any tips/advice? Thanks Alan

Not really my best area. Good to know the 'cheap' reader works OK. Can I ask which model / brand you got ? The reason being I could do with a semi decent one myself that will read 'other' marques properly.

I think the sensors are different, I seem to remember (I could be thinking of something else, sorry) that if someone fits a pre-cat in the post cat position it will work but cause odd problems.

As its the combined 'manicat' unless its started to break up (not too likely) I do not think that is at fault. Is the air filter clean(ish?) , I'd be tempted to clear the fault then see if it actually comes back first before spending money. Dodgy fuel could cause this kind of fault to appear.

If I had to take a 'stab in the dark' I'd replace the post cat sensor first, assuming its wiring is OK. (unplug it and check carefully) just make sure its not corroded. I'm assuming there's no exhaust leaks and little things like the breather hoses are OK too. Twin sensor models seem to be a bit more um picky sometimes.

[ecohouse1]

Thanks Spider. It was a maxiscan, little red thing with two buttons. Enter and scroll. Basic tool. It reads the engine fault codes and there is a guide/table of what the codes mean. About £12 inc delivery on eBay.

At first I couldn't delete the codes, the it did. EML now out so will try it again. It did come on intermittently back in January when it wasn't used much and put it down to damp. Will see if comes on again before buying a sensor.

Cheers
Alan

[spider]

Great