Hi guys, this is my first post (thanks for having me on).

 

Has anyone used, and had problems with the cheap Streetwize OBD2 code reader from Euros? It doesn't offer up any fault codes whilst the steering warning light is present. I've used it on my partner's Micra and it works every time. Apps I used were Torque, Car Scanner (and another but can't ever the name). Not sure if this is common with the car or the reader

Do all or any of these scan tool progs that you have been using have the ability to check ALL smart controllers on all cars?

 

Or, in the past have you only been checking for EOBD engine emissions faults?

I've only just started to use the scanner. FYI I'm a novice, the extent of my experience is home servicing. Only other time I used the scanner was last week on the Micra which was related to the Catalytic Converter. Although the apps do check for power steering faults too so am I right in assuming that would still highlight the Fabias fault?

 

Thanks in advance, I know it's annoying sometimes explaining things to a noob

It is good that your scan tool has been proved to work for checking other controllers like steering, I'm right in assuming that you have used it for that on a Micra?

 

So, it must be down to lack of compatibility with the way that VW Group cars use (Protocol) for their "other" controllers, reading basic engine fault codes will be possible though.

 

Edit:- I've only ever used Carista with my BT dongle, have some others on my iphone but never felt the need to use them, so I can't comment on how they would work on VW Group cars. I would have expected that your scan tool would have reported other unknown to it fault codes as "manufacturer specific fault codes" which would not comply with OBD2.

Edited 26 March, 20224 yr by rum4mo

I initially used it to diagnose the engine light which diagnosed the Cat fault so I was happy to use it on the Skoda, but it hasn't diagnosed a thing on the Skoda at all. Looked online and apparently this particular reader is prone to being a clone of a previous reader which isn't as compatible as advertised.

I've decided to just buy a different one as I didn't exactly break the bank for this.

 

Fingers crossed it works and diagnoses a cheap fix that I can get stuck into

On 26/03/2022 at 11:16, Kieren89 said:

Hi guys, this is my first post (thanks for having me on).

 

Has anyone used, and had problems with the cheap Streetwize OBD2 code reader from Euros? It doesn't offer up any fault codes whilst the steering warning light is present. I've used it on my partner's Micra and it works every time. Apps I used were Torque, Car Scanner (and another but can't ever the name). Not sure if this is common with the car or the reader

You can get the same units off ebay for less than half that, just so you know.

6 minutes ago, DieselMonte said:

You can get the same units off ebay for less than half that, just so you know.

 

I paid a fiver for mine. Does the job in exactly the same way. They've also sent me a free second one for some reason.

Maybe the thing is, all/most of these dongles and self contained ones with a display, make it clear that they cover "engine malfunction" faults, as all new cars built since maybe 2000 onwards must comply with OBD codes for engine emissions faults - that makes it easy for simple engine emissions faults, but probably as you know, most newish cars have quite a few smart controllers in them that can assist with fault diagnosing, VW Group seem to be very good in providing an extensive list of fault codes for issues across the complete car.

So, to make life easy, you should aim to get either a self contained scan tool that will give you assess to all VW Group smart controllers - that will be in the description, maybe look on the Gendan website for examples that will allow you to read steering system faults on VW Group cars.

Unfortunately some time ago, there were a few self contained scan tools for VW Group cars including up to the age of your car and they only cost £35, as they could only be used on VW Group cars up to a certain age maybe 2011 in some cases, they have disappeared from sale and very few seem to appear second hand, I sold mine years ago for what I paid for it.

 

Diagnostics moves on as well as VW Group probably trying to move ahead of the DIYer/non franchised workshops so that cars need to be handed in for fault finding, I've had VW Group scan tools since 2001ish and so far had to trade in and replace with a more modern version of VAG-COM now VCDS twice which costs quite a bit of money, but it does allow me to do what I feel that I need to be able to do while I own VW Group cars.

26 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

Maybe the thing is, all/most of these dongles and self contained ones with a display, make it clear that they cover "engine malfunction" faults, as all new cars built since maybe 2000 onwards must comply with OBD codes for engine emissions faults

 

Petrol from 2001 & oil burners from 2005 but this only generally applies to the engine diagnostics for other systems you should use manufacturer specific readers 

Update:

The replacement reader didn't show anything either. So with that I took it to my local garage (the first and only one I feel comfortable taking it to without being overpriced. They said the steering fault might be an issue with the steering rack, something they don't have the equipment to deal with themselves. After a quick Google this doesn't sound like very good news price wise, especially when the mileage is only about 65000

Update:

The replacement reader didn't show anything either. So with that I took it to my local garage (the first and only one I feel comfortable taking it to without being overpriced. They said the steering fault might be an issue with the steering rack, something they don't have the equipment to deal with themselves. After a quick Google this doesn't sound like very good news price wise, especially when the mileage is only about 65000

 

I'll post this in a new thread in the hope it gains the attention of people with interest in this latest issue rather than and obd2 reader. Your input has been really useful guys, I really appreciate it. Please continue to give support if you have any more insight

Mileage might only be 65,000 miles, but it has been 12 years getting to that. Parts fail.  Best have someone with the gear and ability to diagnose and fix look at the car.

Never use mileage to define the condition of a car. Mine has just ticked over to just shy of 61k and is 15 years old and parts are failing of age. It's just a luck of the draw with an old car really.

Edited 4 April, 20224 yr by AnnoyingPentium

Yeah fair point both of you. I also wonder if it wasn't initially a steering rack issue and if it is the problem now, if it manifested whilst driving an already wounded car. Although they didn't mention discovering any other faults that would have led up to that 🤔

You get what you pay for.  When you see a decent system or scanner you'll realise the vast differences.  Whatever you get you do have to check it covers the overcomplicated VW system and age of your car.  And then you have to interpret and diagnosis from the information you get from the tool, often replacing the sensor(s) that gives the errors codes is the wrong thing to do, just shooting the messenger. 

 

A lot of the systems for VW seem to be very ugly user-unfriendly, suited more to those that like computers programs and excluding others by making things more complicated than needed.  A higher level scan tool than these shows how easy it should be to use them. and no need to learn about over complicated legacy systems.

 

 

OBD/EOBD standards apply to drivetrain only i.e. engine and transmission and are mandated as such by laws/standards. Any code reader advertising OBD/EOBD capability will probably only be able to read controllers covered by those standards. After that you're into manufacturer specific protocols/standards which are often not open, or not without the code reader manufacturer paying for a licence from the manufacturer.

 

If you're looking for something similar to this one but that will actually work on your car, the Carista setup is not a bad option, but note that you will have to get the paid for version of the app for access to non-OBD controllers.

On 26/03/2022 at 11:16, Kieren89 said:

 Apps I used were Torque, Car Scanner (and another but can't ever the name). 

 

 As you have now bought the adaptors, you may want to try other free software - I have just tried Garage Pro as used by @AnnoyingPentiumwhich the spec suggests MAY look at different module in the car and give error messages but not allow clearing so would just be for info,

21 hours ago, nta16 said:

have to check it covers the overcomplicated VW system and age of your car.

 

A lot of the systems for VW seem to be very ugly user-unfriendly.

 

 I do not think that there is any issue with the systems on VW's that would make them any different to other manufacturers. If you want to confirm which systems you have used and found user-unfriendly there may be people on here to assist you in understanding how to use them.

10 minutes ago, KeithCheetham said:

As you have now bought the adaptors, you may want to try other free software - I have just tried Garage Pro as used by @AnnoyingPentiumwhich the spec suggests MAY look at different module in the car and give error messages but not allow clearing so would just be for info,

 

Just as an update, Keith. I did a fault scan and then have allegedly cleared my "pending" P0171 and it hasn't come back, I haven't checked in some time though. I paid to 'unlock' mine, you can pay for 2 VINs/cars or you can do it for universal, but I'm only using it on one car so the 2 VIN made sense.

 

Hope this helps both yourself and the OP.

18 hours ago, KeithCheetham said:

 I do not think that there is any issue with the systems on VW's that would make them any different to other manufacturers. If you want to confirm which systems you have used and found user-unfriendly there may be people on here to assist you in understanding how to use them.

I'll take that as a genuine offer and thank you.

 

I was thinking of the Ross Tech VCDS type of presentation that to me seems to suit those who like computer type of things, numbers, system input allocation, to see the nut & bolts and workings.  And perhaps for some to have something that gives a level of separation and exclusivity by having barriers, stages that must be passed, keep the wrong sort from being tempted to use the tool and maintain levels of superiority.  For me It's too computer nerd type in its presentation and legacy of  techie old fashion knowing what numbers and jargon.  Very ugly looking and user-unfriendly, unless you like that sort of system.

 

Personally I don't want to learn any old legacy type system when I have available much better presented newer systems that lay the information easily in front of me and I don't need to know its workings and requirements just 'push the buttons' as required and these tools get better and easier to follow.  I expect the tool to work for me not the other way round.  I don't want to learn how a tool wants me to allocate information to it I want the machine to help me sort a problem on another machine.  Could also be a matter of interest or total disinterest, I don't like football so have no idea what the offside rule is now I knew it in 1969 but I don't need to know it now.

 

18 minutes ago, nta16 said:

I was thinking of the Ross Tech VCDS type of presentation that to me seems to suit those who like computer type of things, numbers, system input allocation, to see the nut & bolts and workings.  And perhaps for some to have something that gives a level of separation and exclusivity by having barriers, stages that must be passed, keep the wrong sort from being tempted to use the tool and maintain levels of superiority.  For me It's too computer nerd type in its presentation and legacy of  techie old fashion knowing what numbers and jargon.  Very ugly looking and user-unfriendly, unless you like that sort of system.

 

I had a fair amount of issues with it, then again, I build the computers - I don't fix the software.

 

I like to think that I'm somewhat computer-literate, with a few qualifications in Administration & IT yadda yadda yadda. I think I do need to sit down with VCDS-Lite and actually get to grips with it, slowly but surely. This place is great for learning how to work VCDS etc.

1 hour ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

I like to think that I'm somewhat computer-literate, with a few qualifications in Administration & IT yadda yadda yadda. I think I do need to sit down with VCDS-Lite and actually get to grips with it, slowly but surely.

Yes and that's my point you know about computers yet still you need to learn it.

 

I know how to operate a V2000 VCR (you'll need to look that up) but it's no longer the 1970s when also I learnt about computers too, main frame, punch card not quite Babbage but ancient now, I'll give the Ross Tech a miss thank you.

 

1 hour ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

This place is great for learning how to work VCDS etc.

I am not knocking that and think it's great especially for those that need or want to use them or learn how to use them.

 

Personally this sort of thing doesn't interest me but I don't mind others enjoy it, I just look at the page as presented. - 

 

<body class="ipsApp ipsApp_front ipsJS_has ipsClearfix ipsApp_noTouch" data-controller="core.front.core.app,nbenhadverts.front.global.global" data-message="" data-pageapp="forums" data-pagelocation="front" data-pagemodule="forums" data-pagecontroller="topic" data-pageid="502931">
<a href="#ipsLayout_mainArea" class="ipsHide" title="Go to main content on this page" accesskey="m">Jump to content</a>
<div id="ipsLayout_header" class="ipsClearfix">
<header>
<div class="ipsLayout_container">
>
<img src="https://www.briskoda.net/forums/uploads/reactions/Crying_Emoji_Icon_2_70x70.png" alt="Crying" data-ipstooltip="" title="Crying" loading="lazy">
<span class="ipsReact_name">Crying</span>
</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/502931-dodgy-obd2-reader/?do=reactComment&amp;comment=5647107&amp;reaction=7&amp;csrfKey=3e104d6a4a5679f74936529a1c37ac81" class="ipsReact_reaction" data-role="reaction">
<img src="https://www.briskoda.net/forums/uploads/reactions/Groan4.png" alt="Groan" data-ipstooltip="" title="Groan" loading="lazy">
<span class="ipsReact_name">Groan</span>
ds"></div>

<iframe name="__privateStripeMetricsController1040" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" scrolling="no" allow="payment *" src="https://js.stripe.com/v3/m-outer-23335cd0c833d03926d94e8fb5cb0381.html#url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.briskoda.net%2Fforums%2Ftopic%2F502931-dodgy-obd2-reader%2F%3Ftab%3Dcomments%23comment-5650818&amp;title=Dodgy%20OBD2%20reader%3F%20-%20Skoda%20Fabia%20Mk%20II%20-

 

5 minutes ago, nta16 said:

I know how to operate a V2000 VCR (you'll need to look that up) but it's no longer the 1970s

 

No need, I know how to work one as well. Still got a VHS one in almost daily use. 

 

Anyway, I shan't derail this thread further.

17 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

No need, I know how to work one as well. Still got a VHS one in almost daily use. 

This confirms the example, it's not a VHS, look it up, you have to learn to understand, then when you know it'll be of (no) little use in the future.

 

 

17 minutes ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Anyway, I shan't derail this thread further

Too late, but blame me, I'm om a different point of the spectrum to many regulars here. 😆

 

Edited 7 April, 20224 yr by nta16

10 minutes ago, nta16 said:

This confirms the example, it's not a VHS, look it up, you have to learn to understand, then when you know it'll be of (no) little use in the future.

Yes yes, I know the differences between both formats. Philips introduced V2000 if I'm right in saying, and JVC the VHS later on in 1976 (IIRC). I was merely stating that I still used VHS, it wasn't of relevance really. Sorry for whatever confusion I've caused here, as I am, as usual, also confused.

 

Anyway, although complicated, the OP should give VCDS-Lite a shot at least for trial purposes. Gendan sell the cable required for it, but please do your research first. Otherwise, use the reader thing you bought from EuroCarParts with your smart-phone or tablet via Bluetooth and use an app like Carista or whatever folk use. I've been using 'Garage Pro' and it was good for doing checks across all things on the car and bringing codes back. I have no codes at the moment as my car has randomly started working again, but I must be careful, it could be listening to me.

1 hour ago, AnnoyingPentium said:

Yes yes, I know the differences between both formats. Philips introduced V2000 if I'm right in saying, and JVC the VHS later on in 1976 (IIRC). I was merely stating that I still used VHS, it wasn't of relevance really. Sorry for whatever confusion I've caused here, as I am, as usual, also confused.

No, no, not you causing confusion, probably me but I'm too confused to know if its me or not, and if so by how much.

 

I was surprised a yung 'un like yerself would know of V2000, and yes it was, no idea what came available when as I don't think we could afford to rent a colour TV let alone a VCR.  Most people think of Betamax and VHS both inferior, at the time, and later to the V2000.  The success of VHS lead to the restriction of CDs as the two losing companies didn't want to be caught out again.

 

I've got a (proper) Super VHS VCR sitting unplugged under the telly if you know anyone that uses such stuff now.