An alternative to Diagbox - Topdon Artidiag 800BT

[Harrythephot]

I have a 2016 Peugeot Partner 1.6 BlueHDi which my Lexia no longer wants to talk to and I have not been able to correct the issue.

Having had the Adblue tank problems, Nox sensor replacement and now (possibly) and Eolys issue, I needed a tool to save me paying £50 a time to diagnose or clear faults.

My little obd2 reader would clear the Adblue faults, but not the Nox sensor ones and it doesn't even see the Eolys codes.

I also found Lexia / Diagbox pretty horrible to use, so I've been looking for an alternative.

None of the manufacturers I contacted would confirm that their tool would reset / initialise / replace / prime the Nox sensor, Eolys pump / tank, or the Adblue system.

I want to thank Tricoloured for his help and advise, regarding those functions on the Foxwell NT510 Elite, which I appreciate greatly.

There are loads of video reviews of dozens of scan tools online, but apart from Jimmy O'Reilly, no-one seems to diagnose PSA cars on camera and he only uses higher end equipment.

After much searching I saw the Topdon Artidiag800BT for 20% off (until Thursday 15th Feb 2024) on EBay, so I got it for £197.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133773717133

It arrived today and was quickly in use after faffing about with the registration.

It picked up the VIN in seconds and the health scan found the temporary Eolys faults in the ECU.

A quick look through the 28 Maintenance / reset functions and I could do what I needed to the Eolys tank, pump and pouch.

It also had the required options for the Nox system and the Adblue system.

The only thing it doesn't have is bidirectional control, which the Foxwell tools have.

The Foxwells also have a few more reset functions and lifetime free upgrades for one car brand

The Topdon is 28 reset functions and lifetime free upgrades for all cars of all brands.

I'm sure to find things that Diagbox could do, but the Topdon is doing exactly what I want at the moment, in a fast and easy to use package.

As a bonus it has also allowed me to disable stop start, so we'll see if that sticks.

I'll add anything else here as it presents itself.

[mickthemaverick]

I am considering getting the Topdon 900 so I will be interested to see how you get on with the 800 before I lay out the extra for the 900.

[bobins]

I've had the 800BT for getting on for a year and the few times I've used it it's worked well and done what I've wanted. It seems to cover a huge range of cars and the data is regularly (and easily) updated. It won't do the full suite of what Lexia / Diagbox will do, but it'll do more than enough and it covers loads of makes. It gets the Bobins seal of approval.
If you want to borrow it, Mick, to see if it meets your expectations, then just shout or raise your hand or something.

[mickthemaverick]

OK thanks bobins. I have no actual need at this point in time, but I am looking for something that I can use on my Subaru and SWMBO's Suzuki as well as a few others in my maintenance fleet. Having passed on my diagbox to Peter I only have a basic OBD2 reader at the moment so I rely on that as far as it goes, which isn't very!! However should I run into a problem I'll keep your offer on the back burner.

[cit-rotti]

If the previously used interface is suitable for working with the 9.xx software and a suitable laptop is available, reinstalling the diagnostic software for a 2016 Peugeot costs nothing and all offline work is still possible.
Both VM diagnostic tools and native diagnostic tools are possible.

These can be downloaded free of charge and the installation videos are also available there.
Register and log in, if necessary, translate with Google Chrome.
https://guiapsa.foroactivo.com/login

Greetings Wolfgang

[Chazman55]

Good day, am stumped, think I made a boo-boo, I bought a Topdon Artidiag600s a while ago to cover my then car, (Mercedes), now my Peugeot 2008 of 2016 is not on it. Only an obscure model.
What to do ?
Cheers
Chaz

[GiveMeABreak]

With these sorts of diagnostics, you usually have to pay either a subscription to keep the software updated or need to buy the correct or a later module. Because vehicle models are released all the time with new equipment, engine management systems etc., your software will shortly be out of date as soon as you install it, hence why it needs to be regularly updated - depending of course what it is you are intending to do.

Your current vehicle was probably not built or released the last time you updated your diagnostic tool, so it can't read the vehicle or will not recognise the later ECUs on the vehicle. I suggest you contact your supplier for advice on how to update it.

[bobins]

As Marc says, I think you might need to fully update your 600S. It ought to cover your Peugeot. There's at least two sets of updates to be done - both the car database and the machine's own software. These should be free and easy to do if you've correctly registered your device with Topdon. Sometimes it won't correctly auto-read the car's VIN so you'd need to manually select the make and model.

[Harrythephot]

Just a quick update to say that the stop/start is indeed fully disabled.
The Topdon has done exactly what I needed it for on the Partner and will also be used to (hopefully) program the key for the wifes Agila (Suzuki)
Very happy with it.

[Paul-R]

Is that the Topdon 600 or 800? Or have I lost the plot!

[bobins]

Harry's got an 800BT and that's done what it was needed to do.... so far.

[mickthemaverick]

Is that the Topdon 600 or 800? Or have I lost the plot!

Navigating Officer's get court marshalled for that!!

[Paul-R]

Oh dear, I'm so confused.

I've been thinking about a multi-vehicle code reader for a little while and this thread seemed to be steering me (not unwillingly) towards an 800BT, or even a 900BT. Then I saw a couple of code reader reviews on YouTube about the Xtool offerings. This is the first one, about the D7.



But I took on board the bit at the end about things he didn't like. And the gloss went off the D7 even despite its competitive price. Reading the comments, there's a follow-up review on the Xtool D8BT. This addressed all the bad points of the D7 and then some. The price was a quite a bit more though and made me gulp and yet again hold off buying something.



And so it remained until last Wednesday.

I was trying to reset the denox parameters on the 308 as it had kicked into a 600 mile countdown again. The battery in the laptop gave up earlier than I was expecting (just as I was about to choose which model of 308) and when I restarted the laptop I got a message that the program needed revalidating. Anyway, it's now ended up with a message saying that the program needed reinstalling. I've tried phoning Easydiagnostics but the phone just rings for a while and then cuts off. I'm not sure what they could or would do as it's about 4 years old and I can't find the original installation disc and instructions anyway.

So now I'm back to looking at a code reader but not just for other vehicles. The Xtools are bidirectional and have the ability to pair new keys in - which would be handy for the 308 as Diagbox 7.58 is too old. But it would also have to be able to reset the denox in order to justify an accelerated purchase.

Despite the cost (about £400) I'm extremely tempted by the D8BT. Comments please?

[GiveMeABreak]

Jim has another interface Paul that is out now in case you want to take a look.

It's licence based - so you can add on other brands as required but the hardware interface with a PSA licence is £274. That will be before an FCF member discount of course. I've summarised some of the key points below:

Select the licence you require at checkout. Further licences can be added at anytime by simply contacting us with your interface serial number. All licences are lifetime licences.
A new series diagnostic interface for multiple software including BMW, Benz, Renault, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, GM, VW Audi, Subaru, Volvo, Land rover, Nissan, PSA, . It can also be used as J2534 passthru for OEM software with online subscription.

• Diagnostic/programming/coding
• Supports offline coding, remote diagnosis, Support DOIP
• SAE J2534 Passthru for OEM online programming (need online account)
• USB, WiFi, USB Type C, LAN and DoNET optional connection
• The interface component, adopts quick pull-and-plug technology.

So the good news is that the licences are for life, and therefore should mean they will cover the brands future vehicles or later models and won't need renewals or subscriptions to update like some alternative models.

I believe Jim mentioned it's a Bosch variant and that PSA are introducing these now because of the interface issues with the Lexia VCI kits on later models.

Link here:

https://www.easydiagnostics.co.uk/produ ... en-peugeot

If I was in the market for one, I'd probably consider something like this. These are relatively new, but hopefully we make get some feedback on them as they are adopted over time.

[Paul-R]

Thanks Marc but that seems too restrictive for the wide range of vehicles (C5, 308, Vauxhall Corsa, Vauxhall Astra, Vauxhall Vivaro, Hyundai i30, VW Beetle, Nissan Cashcow) I'm thinking of as it would be a just-in-case basis. I'm really looking for opinions on the other multi-make alternatives.

Having said all of the above I actually found my installation discs and instructions! I wasn't looking for them at the time so I'm really quite pleased. I remember now that Virtual Clone Drive was part of the installation process so I probably had all already on the laptop needed to install. I'm going to read the instructions carefully (only a folded sheet of A4) and then have a go.

I recollect others having to run a deinstallation program when they wanted to go back to an earlier version but as I want to reinstall to the same version I'm wondering whether I need to worry.