Code readers.
 

Good day all,
Having read the previous posts I am now even more confused about which one to go for. I looked at the OBDkey with USB to a laptop and also saw the utube how to video and thought that may be the one to go for, also at a fairly decent price.
I just wondered what you guys may think before I actually decide to buy or not.:confused:

Check the OBDII sticky in the General Forum

I have a cheap $15 ELM327 from China/Ebay which works fine but I found the idea of having to connect up the laptop a pain.

So I went the route of an Ultragauge, a compact all in one unit which can also give a true voltage and temperature reading and shows and resets codes amongst many other options + I can set up alarms.

Depends on what you want to use it for?

Does the ultragauge alow you to look at all the ecus for all electronics systems and what was the cost?

The Ultragauge only reads the generic OBD2 data items.

For a complete breakdown of what can be monitored (I don't think all are available on the XK8/XKR) see manual below.

Apart from the Jaguar system, as far as I know, only the Autoenginuity unit will read Jaguar specific codes and data. About £410

To buy 1, for the UK, is about £90 all in.
I bought 2 so was able to share the post/customs vat/handling between the 2.

There's a very extensive sticky thread on recommended Code Readers:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...ed+code+reader

Graham

Hi guys,
Many thanks for the replies. I opted for the OBDkey system as all I wanted really was to be able to see what was going on and reset any codes if required. It also helps to know these things if the car has to go the main dealers.

Thanks again,

Jim.

here is one I highly recommend.I have two types and both a great actron 9175 and
AutoLink Pro OBDII / EOBD Scanner Autel AL510

the latter has live data...price is 120.00-150.00 for either.

I bought an ODB.Com reader. It found no codes on my car even though I have a "failsafe" message. I took the car in to a Jag specialist and their reader found six codes! Not good!

If nothing else, you should always have either a P1000 or a P1111 code reported. The first indicates OnBoard tests have not been completed and the second is when they have been completed.

Definitely not good if your new reader doesn't find one of these.

Did the specialist give you the list of codes they found?

Graham

hmmm that sounds weird, I use mine all the time and it works great, maybe a faulty one?...I have a bud that uses the 310 model also of this brand on his stype r and has no issues...Well keep us posted on whatever you decide...until then happy wrenching...

I got an ELM 327 yesterday and can't seem to get it to talk to the car. When I plug it into the car the lights start flashing which indicates it knows it has found something, but it then reports that there is no power from the car. I need to check it on another car to see if the reader is faulty or if it just isn't compatible. Different software might help I guess - anyone got any recommendations?

See the attachment. This software works well with the ELM and is there are links to the current version and driver.

Thanks for the reply's.
My ODB.Com reader gave me the P1111 code, but no "error" codes. The Jag shop found that the brake light switch is faulty. That was my next try, but I wanted to make sure before spending the money. I also got a fault on the gas gauge sender. Jag people said the other codes were likely a cascade from those two codes.
Will

Thanks WhiteXKR, I've downloaded the software but still getting the same response. The seller thinks it may be a faulty unit so hopefully a replacement will work!