which ODBII readers do we use? and why?

Technical Area Routine Servicing
2

Hi Guy’s

 

 

as the title says

 

 

 

cheers

 

3

MS309 from ebay - does what it should do with ease and very cheap.

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4

cheap orange one off ebay about ÂŁ16, does what I need, reads and clears faults

5

A few years ago I got a generic brick-on-a-wire type of OBD2 reader for the Vectra, and it works OK on the MX5, but not all codes known so I need a piece of paper as well to translate.  In theory it can be updated, but I’ve not bothered.  Don’t touch the illegal and virus riddled software that comes on the CD supplied with it.  The unit was fine at the time, and because it does not use Bluetooth or wifi the car is secure, but now much better self-contained readers exist, and then the Torque app makes this type obsolete.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00EYYJVG2/

 

So I bought one of these generic Bluetooth dongles, and borrowed a tablet which had the Torque-Pro (paid-for) app showing everything going on. It was OK in my garage and driving along when paired.  But since then a couple of mechanics I trust have each warned me to watch out if it is unpaired - don’t un-pair the phone/tablet/laptop from it without also unplugging the dongle.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DY3EZSI/

BEWARE 1.  The OBD2 socket is always powered (on MX5), and if you leave this Bluetooth dongle plugged in it will flatten the battery more quickly. 

BEWARE 2.  The Bluetooth might also be a security risk. 

BEWARE 3.  If another phone/tablet tries to pair with it and thinks about doing something other than OBD2 interaction this can confuse the ECU big time and produce all kinds of strange symptoms.

 

Don’t worry, the OBD2 system is brilliant if you take the correct precautions and use it wisely.

6

Lujii mini OBD2 ELM327 bluetooth ÂŁ10.99 from Amazon.

Paired easily with Samsung Android phone and also with Mac book and use OBD Auto Doctor to check and clear codes.

7

I bought the MS309 from Amazon, but first time I needed it (an ABS fault) it did not show ABS codes. I would suggest logging onto Autels website and - if you can afford it - buy a better one.
https://www.auteltech.com/autelcms/Code%20Readers&Code%20Scanners/563.jhtml

As the Mk3 has more possible faults than a Mk2, then you should buy a later and better version - Autel don’t even list the MS309 now, so not sure if I bought a cheap copy or not. As better means more expensive it may take a sharp intake of breath, but hopefully it will cater for future cars you or the family will buy, and that makes it a worthwhile expense IMHO.

As Richard mentioned above, never leave it plugged in for any length of time, my OBD socket is in such an awkward position that you have to kneel outside the car and try to plug it into a dark space, which is one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever had to do. As my knees are about shot, I can’t kneel, so it was even more frustrating. Once in, I left it overnight, (couldn’t raise an ABS code) to return next day and find a flat battery - annoying when you need juice to start checking.

You can of course ask your local garage - if you have one you trust - and ask which one they use. Probably a more expensive one than most of the Autels (my garage has a’Pro’ purpose made laptop type) But another I use sometimes, has a hand held one.

8

I have this one. Found it plugged into the OBD11 socket when I bought the car  As has already been noted, permanently on if left plugged in. With Torque Pro ( paid for version £2.99 ) for android, it has been an amazing tool! Used with a tablet I’ve read codes on the 5, wifeys Audi A4, our previous Astra 1.4 petrol, sons Punto evo etc. The " dashboard " on the app, gives various readings, temperatures etc and obviously clears codes etc. It’s a very cheap one ( certainly less than a tenner) and works great! 

 

Barrie

9

I bought this autel319 from amazon 

Autel Autolink AL319 OBD II/EOBD Code Reader https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007XE8C74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_XxIXJcpsb4C5y

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10

Autoenginuity. It’s more than a scan tool though. It gives live data, monitoring many sensors simultaneously. It runs on laptop. I just run the basic version, but, you can upgrade to manufacturer specific versions.
It was expensive at the time, but has paid for itself. I’ve no doubt that with the computing power of mobile phones these days, you can get decent diagnosis done more economically.

11

On the Mk2.5 anything seems to work as is the case on my Impreza and our Suzuki Jimny.

The MK3 appears to be a bit more fussy I have found, I have one of the cheepo orange code readers off ebay and it does not work on a MK3. I get a communication error on any Mk3 or Mk3.5 I have used it on. Also the same on a cheepo usb connected adapter on the MK3.

Other versions of the cheepo orange code reader work but you cannot software upgrade the orange units to get over this.

The cheepo blutooth adapters seem to work OK in my experience on the MK3.

If you log on to the Mazda European portal you can hire the software that sits on a windows PC that gives dealer level functionality. You need a USB adapter to connect to the car. I have not used that software.

12

Interesting - I assumed that the reader works on any car with OBDII. 

Are you saying that an MS309, cheapo orange thingy off ebay, lol, will not work on MK3 / MK3.5 cars. By work I mean standard error code interrogation and display.

Important to clarify this as I do not have a mK3 to hand to test. Wouldn’t want to recommend this, even at a tenner or less if it doesn’t work on the car it was specifically bought for. 

Also important to point out that basic error code interrogation and display is all that is required for most owners so why spend a lot more money on a tool that has extra functionality that will not be used? Airbag systems are usually separate to OBDII and often have their own separate ECU. No standard OBDII reader cheap or expensive is likely to have the additional functionality, often manufacturer/model specific to deal with this.

One other warning - don’t leave your MS309 in a damp car. From my experience they are particularly vulnerable to airborne damp. I had to dry mine out to get it working again. 

 

13

Rob,

I have just checked the orange code reader that does not talk to any MK3 that I have tried it on.

It is not a MS309.

It starts the setup conversation with the car but ends the setup up with a communication error message.

Therefore you cannot get any error fault codes from the car

It is an orange U480 code reader purchased around 2011 on Ebay they are now sold from ÂŁ10.

It will work on any other car including a Mk2.5 but not a Mk3 or Mk3.5 MX5 I have not used it on a Mk 3.75 or a Mk4.

Others on this forum have a newer U480 and have said that they work on the Mk3 to do basic code reading.

Now if someone has a Mk3 RC with the electric hood that has it’s own ecu communicated with via the ODB2 socket but for that use you need a unit with more electronics inside at a higher price.

Or download the Mazda software and rent it for a few days.

14

Thanks for clarifying that.

Just had a look at my MS309 - more of a cheapo red thingy but might go orange with a bit of sun:-)

Can people please confirm what OBDII readers, particularly the cheap varieties available work on their MK3, MK3.5, MK3.75 and MK4 cars.

Would also be good to know whether or not they also report ABS and other codes.    

15

I’m afraid I have never had an ABS sendor fault to deal with on any of my cars therefore one will happen tommorrow!

16

Judging by availability (not all good) the number of ABS sensors are extensive, so ABS sensor faults would be seem to be the norm. As per a comment from my MOT/mechanic, having replaced one on my car, “Like brake calipers, offside failure on both items is spread across makes, even Audi, so Mazda is not alone with this problem.” (I’ve had both offside calipers changed) He also said “you’d think with all the muck in road gutters, it would be nearside affected first, but no - it’s always the offside”.

Therefore any code reader that can detect and read ABS codes would be preferable. - It depends on how long you want to keep a car, though a good one is handy if it can read codes on other makes too. I don’t think an airbag reader is a good idea, all things considered, you’d never be sure you were using it in a safe manner.
And, with regard to safety systems generally, the ND presents it’s problems in that sense. never mind airbags and seat belt retractors!

17

Any idea what is the difference between Torque Pro FREE and Torque Pro Paid-for?

Thanks