What code reader do you use?

OpenToSuggestions · 17 Feb 2023 at 16:21

Hey all.
My Astra GTC 2016 2.0CDTI has a fault code, which just comes up as a 'service soon' icon upon start.
It is minor and my Amazon £10 craptacular bluetooth OBDII reader finds no faults, so it doesn't recognise the fault or it does not scan that particular module altogether.
The car drives fine, but it has made me wonder about 'how much do you need to spend for a good reader'.
They range from a tenner to thousands.

So OcUK motors, what code reader do you use and do you recommend it?

gc123 · 17 Feb 2023 at 19:07

i would not worry too much you can spend thousands and still not get a fault show up.

was at a local garage the other week with daughters new galaxy flashed up auto box restricted use on screen

. they scanned it with a super duper snap on scanner and found no fault, i ran my 350 pound launch on it and it listed 2 different faults with the modulators in the transmittion.???
needless to say car is back with garage who supplied it to sort out .

BUDFORCE · 17 Feb 2023 at 19:16

iCarsoft VOL 2.0 as it's the only thing I'm aware of that'll read my Volvo.

Pretty expensive and still pretty crap as scanners go if I'm honest.

Dangerous Dave · 17 Feb 2023 at 19:34

When I had a Vauxhall got Tech 2 software which is what the dealers use.

Could it just be the service warning rather than a fault ?

Iamzod · 17 Feb 2023 at 21:00

It's like this with my MK3 Mondeo, it's likely not the fault of the reader but the software being used. A fancy Snap On device that costs a few grand won't pick stuff any issues but a cheap £12 OBD scanner linked to a laptop running a copy of Forscan tells me i've got an issue with the ABS sensor on the front drivers side, it'll even give me a live readout from all 4 wheel sensors & stick the output in a nice graph for me.

GeX · 17 Feb 2023 at 21:19

I have a Creator C310 for the Mini, and a Delphi clone connected to an MS Surface for the Civic / also the Mini / any other car.

Blueball · 17 Feb 2023 at 21:27

Bought one several years back: Autel MaxiDiag MD808 Pro

It's gone up in price a LOT since I bought mine!

Fuzz · 17 Feb 2023 at 22:34

Service soon is more about lifecycle clock of oil quality not a fault code.
It usually means just service the bloody thing as the timer has run out.

mrgubby · 18 Feb 2023 at 03:55

Bluetooth OBDII reader + ScanMyOpel works well.
My Insignia was running with no obvious problems ( other than the warning) & it tracked it down to a glow plug.

I confirmed it with a multimeter before parting with the £90 for a new glow plug

Rroff · 18 Feb 2023 at 04:15

I'd try a few different software options if you can - I've had codes before which some stuff won't pickup and other stuff will and/or software which can see 1 code of a thing but other software detects further codes/details, etc. etc.

OpenToSuggestions · 18 Feb 2023 at 09:41

It is a strange fault to say service soon but it isn't related to the service interval.

I'll have a look at the scan my opel software.

Gaygle · 22 Feb 2023 at 10:31

I've just got a new one, XTool Anyscan A30M. I'm genuinely blown away by what you can do on it. Cost me £145 (with an 8% discount code using code XTOOLA30M) from Amazon and you use your phone and the Anyscan app (which is very good). It's bidirectional so you can do all sorts of special functions and live actuation tests. I'll put some screenshots up a bit later but safe to say this is a very powerful tool for not much cash.

Gaygle · 23 Feb 2023 at 10:45

As promised, a few screenshots from my XTool A30M for stuff that can be done on my 2013 Mercedes:

jaybee · 23 Feb 2023 at 11:24

The one recommended by forums/fb groups about your car. There is usually a preferred one for the home DIYer/enthusiast that is preferred.

moon man · 23 Feb 2023 at 13:17

I am also looking for one but I want the ability to code in injectors ,seen a vag group Bluetooth one for £80 ish

ron3003 · 23 Feb 2023 at 18:16

OpenToSuggestions said:
Hey all.
My Astra GTC 2016 2.0CDTI has a fault code, which just comes up as a 'service soon' icon upon start.
It is minor and my Amazon £10 craptacular bluetooth OBDII reader finds no faults, so it doesn't recognise the fault or it does not scan that particular module altogether.
The car drives fine, but it has made me wonder about 'how much do you need to spend for a good reader'.
They range from a tenner to thousands.

So OcUK motors, what code reader do you use and do you recommend it?

Sign up at https://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/ and ask the user Koicarpkeeper if his version of Vauxcom covers your particular vehicle. He sorted me with a unit and software that works up to 2016 vauxhall motors.
Car ran fine, no EML illuminated but I was getting a persistent service light although not related to any service operations being due and using his kit was able to ascertain it's actually a glowplug fault.