There more I read the relevant threads on this, the more I get confused. The answer might be painfully obvious to some, but would this widget

Jaguar PC USB OBD2 OBDII OBD-2 Scanner Interface Code Reader | eBay

allow me to read any stored codes via a laptop?

Thanks

 

Yes but it's no better than one costing about $15. It looks only to read the PCM, as any elm327 will do. You might even get one for $10. (USD, sorry not too good on your $)

The same free software tends to work, and the cheap elm327 I bought even came with a CD.

 

New ELM327 V1.5a OBDII OBD2 USB Interface Auto Diagnostic Scanner Tool Cable | eBay

This one then?

 

Anything like that. Mine's only version 1.3 I think and is great for the money. (I use AE, which has its own lead, for anything more.)

 

Thanks again- I bought this one

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/280873874732?...84.m1439.l2649

We'll see what pans out.

 

Should be OK.

The free s/w is just about adequate. Try a few and see.

If you'll be on Windows I expect you need some sort of drivers and they're probably on the CD but otherwise on the net - the USB elm327 is VERY common.

Try to resist doing an OBD clear at least until you've tried a bunch of s/w.

If you want to create a fairly harmless code I believe unplugging the MAF is what the pros do. The PCM will run a bit rich, which as you know is the safe way

scantool.net will let you read OBD live data but the free version just shows you numbers rather than pretty graphs. Good enough for a glance at fuel trims and so on (such as seeing if any sensor is clearly broken).

In case you want to know more, elm electronics have a goodish web site with real doc of the protocols etc. Even circuit diagrams.