Code Scanner for European Cars

**DJDJDJDJ** · 01-23-2010, 12:33 PM

Hi,

We have a small garage here in the UK where we purchase damaged cars, fix them and sell them. So far all has been good except that as cars are becoming more 'technical' we seem to have more issues with them. We can do all of the body/engine work etc but then end up with a car that does not start. Most of us do not have much car electronics experience so our cars end up waiting in other garages to get the "Not Starting" issue fixed.

I am trying to find out if perhaps getting a OBDII code reader (and perhaps some PC software) will help us diagnose and resolve these issues. If yes, what would you recommend we buy? Since we are in the UK, 99.5 of cars we get are european cars.

Thank you for your help.

**p2psmurf** · 01-24-2010, 01:52 AM

Actually OBD2 doesn't exist in Europe, it is a USA spec.
In Europe it is called EOBD and is mandatory on petrol passenger cars from 2001, diesel passenger cars from 2004 and diesel vans from 2007 on. Any car older it will not work most of the time.
EOBD can be a useful tool, but you can only do engines and automatic gearboxes. Anything else like Abs, Airbag etc. doesn't work. Also, you cannot reset a servioce interval or test components. If you want more than just the emission related codes on engines you would have to buy a professional after market scanner.
If you do a lot of VW/Audi then VCDS is a must (dealer level). www.ross-tech.com
If you do a lot of Opel/Vauxhall then Op-Com is a must (also dealer level): http://www.vezerdiagnosztika.hu/index_en.html
For BMW's I recommend: http://www.bavariantechnic.com/

**DJDJDJDJ** · 01-24-2010, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by p2psmurf

Actually OBD2 doesn't exist in Europe, it is a USA spec.
In Europe it is called EOBD and is mandatory on petrol passenger cars from 2001, diesel passenger cars from 2004 and diesel vans from 2007 on. Any car older it will not work most of the time.
EOBD can be a useful tool, but you can only do engines and automatic gearboxes. Anything else like Abs, Airbag etc. doesn't work. Also, you cannot reset a servioce interval or test components. If you want more than just the emission related codes on engines you would have to buy a professional after market scanner.
If you do a lot of VW/Audi then VCDS is a must (dealer level). www.ross-tech.com
If you do a lot of Opel/Vauxhall then Op-Com is a must (also dealer level): http://www.vezerdiagnosztika.hu/index_en.html
For BMW's I recommend: http://www.bavariantechnic.com/

Thank you very much for your reply. I have looked at the links you have provided and collected various amount of information from each website. A few questions I have are:

Is there a single tool that works with most of the cars? Also, there are a few makes not covered by the links, do these have their own tools or perhaps a single tool? (i.e. Mercedes etc). We work on post year 2000 cars so I am not too worried about older compatibility.

Regards.

**justchat_1** · 01-24-2010, 01:26 PM

EOBD and OBDII are equivalent specs....you should be able to use a regular code reader to read the trouble codes instead of spending thousands on dealer specific software for each manufacturer

**p2psmurf** · 01-25-2010, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by justchat_1

EOBD and OBDII are equivalent specs

Well, not exactly. Obviously the start date has a big difference. 1996-1997 for OBD2 and 2001-2007 for EOBD. That's 10 years.
EOBD allows 2 baudrates for Can (250k and 500k) where OBD2 only allows 1 baudrate (500k). Most interface will work on 250k but check before buying.
The protocols are similar yes, but everything else differs quit a lot. OBD2 requires Tank Leakage checks which usually is done with a pump, EOBD does not require that.
Also the rules when the MIL has to go on differ quite a lot. OBD2 is much more restrictive than EOBD.

DJ, what systems do you want? Only engine and automatic gearbox? Then a generic scanner will work.
Or do you want Abs, Airbag, etc. also. And do you want to reset the service interval? Then you need professional software and/or scanners.
For the makes I didn't mention there's no (good) software available as far as I know.
Except for Porsche: http://www.durametric.com/default.aspx

**simplex** · 01-25-2010, 02:57 AM

Originally Posted by DJDJDJDJ

Thank you very much for your reply. I have looked at the links you have provided and collected various amount of information from each website. A few questions I have are:

Is there a single tool that works with most of the cars? Also, there are a few makes not covered by the links, do these have their own tools or perhaps a single tool? (i.e. Mercedes etc). We work on post year 2000 cars so I am not too worried about older compatibility.

Regards.

There's no single tool for all cars, you need brand specific tools, like GM (Opel/Vauxhall/etc),
Mercedes, Audi/VW/Skoda, etc. There are very basic tools for engine fault code finding and
stuff, but if you want to mess with the airbag, abs, or adjust mileage counter (!!!),
you need more than a simple EOBD reader.

Also, PM sent, in case you are interested in Op-Com.

**mastak** · 05-18-2010, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by p2psmurf

EOBD can be a useful tool, but you can only do engines and automatic gearboxes. Anything else like Abs, Airbag etc. doesn't work. Also, you cannot reset a servioce interval or test components. If you want more than just the emission related codes on engines you would have to buy a professional after market scanner.
If you do a lot of VW/Audi then VCDS is a must (dealer level). www.ross-tech.com
If you do a lot of Opel/Vauxhall then Op-Com is a must (also dealer level): http://www.vezerdiagnosztika.hu/index_en.html
For BMW's I recommend: http://www.bavariantechnic.com/

Dear, p2psmurf.
What you can propose if my pro interest on asian cars. What aftemarket tool give me possibility to see Airbag, ABS on asian vehicles, such as Hyundai, Mitsubishi ... etc, manufactured for european market. I know that there is a Carmanscan, but his price a very high, may be you know a low cost solution.
I find autoenginuity, it price is nice better, but i dont know will work correctly it tool with asian cars manufactured for european market.
Thank you.