OK I am tired of you guys always talking in code and I don't have my cereal box decoder ring any more.....

So what is the best home mechanic Code reader?

And for that matter just where would I plug it in on an '04 XKR Convertible.

I suppose that would bring us to the next question where is there an index of what the codes are?

Be nice if it would work on my Volvo and MINI as well.

Thanks in advance and cheers from the Alps,

jj

 

JamJax;
You will probably get a number of responses as to what is each individual's opinion of the "best".
However, in the General Tech section of this Forum is a thread titled
"OBD Code Readers" ***Member Approved*** which may guide you to additional research.
The port location to attach the code reader is to the left side of the dash
just above the hood opening lever (Left Hand Drive).
Gus has a sight (jagrepair.com) which publishes the various codes, or one can go through the Frequently Asked Questions and scroll through a number of subjects which isolate the various codes.

 

Thanks JC;

Will check the thread out.

Are the Kansas State Troopers still some of the toughest in the US?

Seem like I always got a ticket going through Kansas....never any fun....

Even got tagged by a police plane once, first and only time.

After stoogeing around with the a half dozen other 'victims' for half an hour I asked where is the plane? I had been looking the whole time.

One of the Smokies relayed this to the Pilot/Cop and he buzzed us about ten feet above our heads.

I said pretty good but I wonder what my brother at the FAA is going to say about a plane flying below the 600 ft minimum at 16 ft. and on a public highway?

Pure bluff on my part but we traded 'tickets' and I drove off a happy camper.

cheers,

jj

 

I got one of these from eBay a few weeks back and it works fine. I have also used it to scan a few cars (Fords and Renaults) we looked at for my step daughter while the sales guy wasn't looking

 

Autoenginuity is probably the best and most expensive. With the Jaguar module you can pick up the codes for all of the systems in the car and it also has real time data. You can tell if the performance item you installed actually works and it will show you any gains. It also comes with speed tracer that has a small dyno giving you horsepower, torque 1/4 mile speeds,0-60, 1/8 mile, boost pressure, MPG and a host of other data. Autoenginuity also has graphs and data logs, covering most diagnostics covering fuel trims, loads, coolant temps., etc... the cost a couple of years ago was around $450.00 with the jag module. But it will let know how healthy your cat is.

 

AutoEnginuity worked fine on my previous 2000 XJ8 and 2001 XK8 but is giving problems with my current 2005 XK8 4.2S. Connection is intermittent and it then doesn't return all the expected data I was used to seeing with the earlier cars. There's definitely nothing wrong with this car's OBD port as the dealer had it hooked up a fortnight ago to check a DSC fault.

In fairness, I've had this scantool for about six years and the current version is likely to be much improved in both reliability and functions. The add-on Jaguar softeware is very tempting if the tool itself is OK. I'll have to find another vehicle to check it on.

In the interim, I've ordered a cheapo ELM327 scantool on eBay (item ID 360394106109) which should arrive in the next day or so. The description suggests it will do the same as the basic AutoEnginuity package.

 

Ultraguage is a nice little handy device and shows also some live data, works on my 2000 XKR and a 2005 XKR, and is cheap.

As I am using my Iphone in my car, I use the wireless PLX kiwi device, more expensive than the ultragauge, but it works.

Autoenginuity is very good, but expensive, for that amount you can already get an original dealer tool from Jaguar the WDS, or even a Chinese copy of the VCM (mine works at least).

 

The highest quality scanners for the money are found are at Walmart.com, and they're the full line of Innova Equus Scanners. I think Amazon.com also has them for the same amount. They also have Innova multimeters, compression testers, fuel injection gauges, etc. Their prices are far, far below list price.

The Equus 3150 scanner is $147--and it's a "professional" model with ABS included. It gives the problem codes, explains the problem, gives instructions on how to fix it and the base rate hours for the job.

These may not be quite an Autoenginuity system, however they're 1/3 the price. Equus will do the job for most people--and then some.

 

Thanks Guys;

Those all look good will just have to line them up and see what is the best one I can get over here from Amazon or another source.


Muchas gracias, muchachos!

jj

 

By the way, did you ever find any shipper to bring your MGA to you from the U.S.?

 

Hey BM;

I got a quote of $1550 from the house in Cleveland, Ohio to either the UK, Germany or the Netherlands from Joey.

I have another place to check but this, Joey quote is for a container, they have a unique way of getting five or six cars in one container....so the cost is pretty good....just have to make sure my car goes on top of the others.....ha!

Thanks for asking,

cheers,

jj

Joey Giranda
Joey@rinkens.com
http://WWW.Rinkens.com
Direct line: 323-645-4243
Toll Free: 888-886-6683
FMC License# OTI13055N
<img alt="CFR Rinkens Logo copy.jpg" border="0" height="71" width="159">

 

Update on AutoEnginuity.

I made an adverse comment about AutoEnginuity which needs to be corrected.
It now works perfectly on my 2005 XK8. The problem was a poor connection on the car OBD port.