hello all,
I'm looking for a scan tool for 2004 XJ8 / 4.2L engine, any suggestions.

oldole

 

Depends on what you want to accomplish.
My first Jaguar specific reader was an icarsoft i930, paid $50+ tax.
Later was a Foxwell NT510 with one download, paid $129 + tax.
Have finally acquired the Drew tech Mongoose with shipping $615, the regular dealer price.
A used refurbished laptop computer with an extra hard drive $200.
The virtual machine, & V130 software $97.
Was installed with the computer, & on the extra hard drive for free
Battery charger with cables installed, for steady 14.2 voltage, $50.
Total $962, basically a $1,000, great price.
I am VERY FORTUNATE to have such a friend to help me.
Hope this gives you an idea what many of us have done

 

Best is IDS or SDD downloaded to a fresh laptop running either Windows XP or 7. This is OEM Jaguar diagnostic software.

Next is the interface.

Best is a legit Mongoose or a Ford Rotunda VCM, which is OEM spec.

I am waiting on a VCM w/ cables currently. It is due to be delivered on Monday.

This is an extra as I already have one that I use. For me personally I do not trust Mongoose - too many clones out there.

Once I test it (VCM) and update the firmware it is going up on sale on the forums if another member passes on it.

 

I actually have and use iCarsoft LR V1.0 (quite a bit cheaper); seems (to me) to cover all of the Jaguar body, suspension, transmission etc codes I need?

 

abonano posted;
QUOTE
For me personally I do not trust Mongoose - too many clones out there.
Purchased mine directly from Drew Tech.
With matching serial numbers on the unit, & the box.
Sales receipt has my shops name, with the units numbers on it also.
Would you trust it to do the job???

 

Do you mean a stabilised current supply, 50 amps minimum under 14 V, or a simple battery charger?
If the latter, that would be way too light for reprogramming...

 

In 2004, PDU and WDS were all the we had.
I know Windows 98 on a Pentium I 233mhz is SLOOOOOOOOOW but that is what we had.
Worked OK but IDS was better with the ToughBook running at 1.8ghz.

We did not have a specially built 'clean' power supply. We just used a shop battery charger to keep voltage/power up as Jaguar Technical Hotline suggested.(actually demanded)

A few years later we were issued a 'smart' battery charger and battery testers with printers attached for warranty work.

I still think IDS is all you need with Jaguars up to 2009. SDD was issued in 2009 so cars from that MY onward need the later software.

If SDD reverts to Legacy IDS on a car you are working on, you should just use IDS. (forget about SDD)

 

Again, if it's a legit Mongoose I would certainly use it but to my main point... too many clones out there that can inflict some major damage. There are clone VCM's out there too.

I, unfortunately got burnt with a clone Mongoose so I'm a bit biased ??♂

If it's legit it's good enough for me Wingrider ?

 

Paydase quote;
Do you mean a stabilised current supply, 50 amps minimum under 14 V, or a simple battery charger?
If the latter, that would be way too light for reprogramming...

Yes to your question.
NO its not a simple battery charger.

Abonano
Appreciate the fact i heard the clones are a crap shoot.
Did not feel lucky enough to risk it, even if they replace a defective unit.
How long will you have to wait for the replacement, is it going to be any better???
Felt pretty sure about the real Mongoose, being safe to use.
Appeared that the Ford unit is harder to acquire than the Genuine Mongoose.
As i was looking at the Rotunda first, because it did Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, & Mazda.
But it looks like all those units, are used, as well as very hard to find.
Do not have any of those vehicles, so i felt good about finding the new Mongoose.
Even after seeing it was made in China, W T F .

 

I have a working VCM. I found another one. Arrived today. It was DOA and worse yet a clone. It is getting returned.

VCM's are extremely hard to come by. It came with both cables, which are legit... too bad it didn't work out.