Hello

 

I'm looking to buy an OBD Tool.

Tried to do a search on here but couldn't find anything specific 😬

 

Fabia 1.2 2015

 

Preferably under 35 quid...

 

Many thanks

Hello Triff, I can suggest taking a look at the Autophix OM126P.

That will get you a code reader that might do other bits.  Or you can get these programs that operate off "smart" devices how good they are and how reliable (Elm327(?) and stuff IIRC.

 

Having freeze frame and live data can be very useful.

 

And I was going to put about Warrior193' having a Autophix but would have forgot the number and the P on the end.

 

Some get stuff off these Chinese markets and are very happy with what they get I see it as more of a gamble and never bothered as the VW computer programs are complex and a PITA as it is so I'd not want to upset or mess them up.

 

All scan tools including the very expensive pro ones (thousands of pounds) have pro and cons but generally some of the Chinese (stolen(?) and improved programs) from the likes of Launch, TopDon, etc., and the like look good but they are hundreds not £35.

 

I did like the look of the one Warrior193 has (for its level) I wouldn't mind a play with one.

 

Bear in mind it is only one diagnostic tool and generally if it is correct then only pointing you in the right direction and results should be confirmed and tested and further checking and diagnostics required using other tools, your senses and brain.  Before using a scan tool do check the program for your car make, model and year is correct and fully up to date before using the scan tool and that your car battery is in a reasonable state of charge (same for scan tool if appropriate).

 

Edited 3 February, 20251 yr by nta16

Thanks nta16.

Not sure what you mean by check the program for your car make, model and year is correct and up to date? 🤔

 

 

Depends on what you buy, lower level code reader on dealing with generic general codes probably doesn't too much or any updating.

 

Say with a higher level scan tool from the internet you need to make sure it has a program that covers your car, a VW, Europe, Fabia 2015, then users or manufacturer are made aware of an error, omission in the program so it is updated to put things right, this can be an ongoing process (hopefully not like the ones from Microsh1t  that replace one problem with several others.

 

Some machines may have 150+ different manufacturers vehicle brands from around the world with all or many of their different models so full updates might be many and fairly frequent, some owners may chose to keep everything up to date even though they have may never heard of the manufacturer let alone ever like to see such a vehicle let only scan one. Other owners only update those for the vehicles they might use the tool on and forget the rest and others too lazy to check for updates before using the tool on a vehicle.

 

Different versions of whole programs may cover the many other systems being added to cars that weren't generally there only a short time back.

 

The general genetic stuff OBD (II, two) stuff goes back decades so isn't a concern here.

 

Only as one example of theOM126P (wonder what the P is for) at £29.59 with coupon, note I have no idea of unit and seller, just an example of listed features, 2023(?) model. - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256314894159

 

And user instructions manual here for more info and ideas on this one make and model. - om126p-scanner-enhanced-manual.pdf

 

Thank you very much. I see what you mean now. 👌

(Am avidly avoiding windows11 even though they keep trying to force it on me.)

 

Yeah i saw that one on Ebay. Think I'll give it a go rather than 50 quid for the mechanic to diagnose. 🤔

 

Thanks again. 🙏

5 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Autophix OM126P.

Project Farm?

 

 

Thanks. AG Falco

Do bear in mind the Autophix or any other scan tool particularly at that level doesn't actual diagnosis the issue, more point you in the right direction for checking cross checking or referencing the information it gives, it gives error codes and some live data to work from and check.

 

Sometimes a scan tool will show that a sensor isn't working and it could be that it is the sensor at fault and replacing it resolves the issue but the fault may not at or with the sensor, things like faulty wires/connections could be at fault, or actual fault is elsewhere but shows up at that sensor readings you could be shooting the messenger.

 

£50 is very inexpensive for diagnosis, particularly if it is done well and successfully.

 

I forget what the problem was in the other thread but I can soon find it so I can't think how useful the Autophix or other might be for this problem but you may consider £30 a reasonable invest for future and/or the current issue.  The general generic codes can at least often set you on a path.

 

Don't be too concerned about Windows 11, I stayed off it as long as possible but to be fair I can't think of any MS update b*lls-ups with 11 (not that I remember a lot).  You don't have to go on to the 'cloud' or use the 'cloud' version of programs.  I has to get a new PC last year so I made sure I got one with a CD (dvd) drive and am still on MS Office Pro Plus 2010 when the previous PC was on 2016, no problems (the 2010 Outlook won't let me use Chrome for direct internet connections but that's OK I can get round it and means I can't click a link that's a wrong 'un by mistake to wrong 'uns.

 

At updates I do remove as many apps/programs as I can for the MS stuff I don't want but other than that it doesn't messy me about or get me in the 'cloud' (bloody silly description for what it actually is).  I can't get on with that Apple stuff at all.

 

Couple of dash lights had come on but seem to have cleared. 

And I've just done a 500 mile journey over 2 days with no problem so I will go ahead with buying the tool, see if anything comes up and then I might be in a position, (also in future), to just 'tell' the mechanic what's wrong and not have to pay an extra 50 for initial diagnosis hook up. 

Or maybe that's just in my dream world... 🤪

 

Off topic i know but... initial (failed) attempt by laptop to upload windows 11 caused the battery to stop charging, so I can't use it without the charging lead now 😠

 

36 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

Project Farm?

 

 

Thanks. AG Falco

Cheers. Found it. 

Sounds like kermit the frog on speed. 😄

 

The Autophix def looks good 👍 

 

6 minutes ago, Triff said:

just 'tell' the mechanic what's wrong and not have to pay an extra 50 for initial diagnosis hook up. 

You may not pay £50 for scan at least initially if you give a code but the mechanic should check you and your machine are correct with that code, first rule is always to check that the fault as stated exists.  And to proceed further particular with a German marque car from this century he may well still need to plug in a scan tool along hopefully with use of whatever other diagnostic tools he has available like multimeter, headlight load test bulb or other, his senses including his brain and common sense and his training, knowledge and experience.

 

Off topic never worries me too much, it does a lot for others but none of us are perfect.  I'm not an expert in anything certainly not cars or computers just many decades experience of the failings of both (and UK motor trade).  I don't like laptops, far too small screens and keyboards and a touch pad drive me mad but my wife has had a couple of old s/h laptops so my guess would be that it's something to do with your laptop or its settings or programs so I would plug it into the more reliable mains power and have a look at your laptop settings, anything to do with power or power saving.  Of course I am not saying it might not be a MS fault, from experience I would not (and neither would they of course).

 

For computers such as on your VW car any updates you are best to have full power, by the engine running as a battery can run down over the period of updating and before updating is finished.  I always sit and watch any updates I do until the very end as I've seen very long ones in the past fail just before the end.  If it's a long download I would use a lead directly plugged into server thingy rather than rely on radio waves, wi-fi, blacktooth, wotever and check its connection is recognised.

 

So I would do the 11 download gain with the laptop powered by mains, check you don't need any shillings in the meter, the laptop lead plug is fully pushed home both ends, if the wall socket has a switch check it's on, check the laptop is and knows knows its running on mains, check the laptop won't shut down for any reasons, preferably sort out your battery issue before hand.

 

Are you sure your battery wasn't bad before this and just died at the time by coincidence.  With car batteries I have been assured by the car owner that the battery and/or its connections were good but they weren't when I checked.  Always, always check the boring basics first, then if there are still problems recheck the basics later as many times as required, I've know jobs go on for ages because the basics weren't checked at the start or confirmed later.

 

Good luck.

 

31 minutes ago, Triff said:

The Autophix def looks good 👍 

Apart from when in sunlight perhaps, like all these "smart" (they are not) phones and other devices, you take a photo with the phone and you can't review it in daylight, marvellous!  Don't get me wrong I'm not a Luddite just had decades of these things and their flaws, one time I used to point the modern marvel machine to sky waiting for it to find 5 satellites like some pagan at Stonehenge, then give up and get the road atlas and map in the good beer guide, those were the days 😆    

1 hour ago, Triff said:

Sounds like kermit the frog on speed. 😄

I've seen some of his other videos, not very scientific but he never claims to be, this video I had to turn the audio volume right down and put playback speed to 0.75 to able to listen.  For DIY occasional use whether a unit takes 2, 4 or 6 seconds to load doesn't really matter, response to button pushes is important though and what actually works and doesn't is important but at this level of Chinese manufacture they might not be consistence so another example of the same model might work better or worse than the one he tried but he can't try 10, 20, 50 or a 100 of each.