I want to buy an OBDII scanner for trouble shooting my 03 XKR. I have a Reduced Power mode showing up intermittently and want a scanner that will read most Jaguar codes. I am looking for recommendations on what brand to buy. Any information would be helpful.

Bill N
03 XKR

 

This
U480 Car Auto Diagnostic Scanner tool OBD2 OBDII EOBDII CAN-BUS Code Reader UK en vente sur eBay.fr (fin le 01-juil.-12 09:13:42 Paris)
works on a 2004 XKR, very cheap. Resets codes but doesn't read 'live' data although the ad says it does.
It is a very common clone - I'm sure you'll find one on US Ebay
There's a mile long thread on OBD readers BTW - you gets what you pays for it seems.

 

Steve

Thanks for the input, I am bidding on one on Ebay. I don't need anything real elaborate as I have the Jag dealer do the hard stuff. Did you ever have the Reduced Power message come up on your XKR?

Bill N
03 XKR

 

I have this one and it is pretty cool

 

do you have an Android based phone, or tablet? If so, pick up the $20 bluetooth ELM327 clone scanner, dowloand the Torque Application for $5, and you can monitor all of the basic powertrain information, get those Pcodes, and clear the CEL. For most situations diagnosing misfires, lean / rich conditions, 02 sensor feedback, etc...its great. I just keep the scanner in my glovebox...its come in handy when other people at work have a problem too.

 

Bill, No thank God. Matt's solution is attractive because of the live data - but beware - I got an ELM clone from the same source and it connects to bluetooth but not to the car (or my hack Toyota) so no guarantees unless you get exactly the same model as Matt and, even the, from reading reviews it seems only about 50% of clones work, even the SAME clone!!
I got a full refund on my scanner because it didn't read this data but said it would in the ad and for the Bluetooth device- so I've got a free scanner that lives in the boot and a Bluetooth that lives in the dustbin.

 

Had a similar experience with such a bluetooth reader

I can recommend the ultragauge for diagnosing (so read/reset DTCs and read live data), it doesn't require any computer or phone, and you can read also live data. It’s a small nifty relativly cheap device which you can have always in the car. Takes a little time to learn how to use it as one member has noted, but it does the job very well, and for me it was not difficult to use.

 

I have an ACTRON CP9185 and it works fine on my 2003 XKR.

 

Funny you mention that Steve, my first elm clone worked on my jag, but not my mom's lincoln. The next one I received (different label) worked on both. Its a crapshoot sometimes on which clones work with protocol!

 

On the Toyota it turned on the CEL and the car refused to start. I thought it had blown up the ECU. Disconnected the battery and all was well but a nasty moment.

 

Hey Steve


I think the ECU might be expensive if you had to replace it.LOL I bought the U480 CAB-BUS from Amazon. It was cheap $14.99, but it should be good enough to clear codes and check the basics. If it blows my ECU when I plug it in, you will be able to hear me screaming all the way over in Limousin.

Bill N
03 XKR

 

Bill,
I blew the Toyota ECU with a cheap battery charger the day before we were due to go on holiday - wife left ignition on, flat battery, charger on, no start, €1000 bill. You'd think some over voltage protection would have been a good idea - so I am paranoid now, and never charge batteries connected to the car.
I'll keep my Easterly ear open, hope I don't hear sobbing on the wind.
Let us know if it works.

 

Have this on the way from Amazon--will be interesting to compare and (for the sake of future purchasers) see if the extra money was well-spent.

 

Here are some preliminary results of the 3130. Setting it up was pretty simple and so was connecting it and reading basic results. Note! Some of its more advanced features apply to American and Japanese cars only--a significant limitation. Meanwhile I'm enjoying the basic features and especially the real-time data and graphing etc. Sorry my photography is so crappy.. I was using avail light and didn't want to wash out the display.



First fault codes...looks like a loose fuel-filler cap. Never ceases to amaze me how often this is the cause. Make-work for auto shops since 99% of people have to take their cars in for things like this (a CEL).





Anyway, the device permitted me to reset and when the engine is started, lo and behold, no CEL!


The engine having been started now, you can have lots more fun:











Obviously I have a lot to learn. I should have called this post "My First Test Scan"

Meanwhile: Does this look like it's worth the extra $100 over the model referenced above (by Bill)? Frankly if it's even close, I'd spring for it. The total cost is trivial in relation to the amount of information you can retrieve. My friendly neighborhood Jaguar dealer charges $125 just to read a code so this device has already paid for itself.

PS: I realize that this may be old news to 99% of the guys here... this post is for the other 1% which until today, included me

 

You are tempting me to go for one like this. I like the real time data it shows. I will try my inexpensive one for now and if it does not satisfy my needs, I will buy a better one like your INNOVA.

Bill N
03 XKR

 

Just a Heads Up. I have a older Innova 3100 and it does NOT have the CAN Protocol needed to communicate with the Jag. There are some of these (non-CAN) 3100s still for sale on eBay etc.

I just bought a Actron CP9580 which has very similar capabilities to the Innova 3130.

It was more expensive ($153 at Amazon.com) but includes ABS Codes (but for Ford, GM & Chrysler only).

 

I used my new U480 scanner and it gave me a P0001 code -"fuel volume regulator control circuit open". I guess these cheap scanner do not tell you very much. I cleared out the codes and will check it again when I get the RP message.

When the Jag service and Autozone checked the codes it was knock sensor #1. The instruction booklet for this scanner does have a code list and does show knock sensor codes. The codes for knock sensor #1 faults are P0325 Thur P0329. I would think one of these codes would show up, but all I get is an "fault:01" with "pend:02".

I assumed the 01 code was a P0001. Maybe my scanner is not working or I do not know how to use it or both. When I last checked and got the 01 code, I had the RP message only. The check engine lite was not on.

Bill N

 

I guess it means you have 1 error code and 2 pending, better check the manual.

 

You can scroll through the codes, the manual will tell you how in somewhat broken English.
Use the OBD fault codes here

 

It was operator error. I finally figured it out and did in fact get an error "P0328 knock sensor #1 circuit high input bank 1". Now I feel better on buying the scanner. Now all I have to do is get it fixed $$. Thanks for all the input.

Bill N