What diagnostic tools

[elmtreeandy]

Hi everyone, I have a 1998 S reg. 406 hdi which, thanks to a not so competant Spanish mechanic, is very sick. I have looked long and hard to find out whether my particular model can be interfaced with obd2 compliant hardware (elm 327 and the like) or whether I need peugeot planet software and its crazily priced interface. No-one seems ready to give a definite answer to this question but surely someone must know. I have tried Peugeot UK who, because I now reside in Spain would not pass me to their technical department (if indeed they have one). It isn´t a difficult question, anyone got the answer? Also if I have to use peugeot planet , which seems likely, are the Chinese manufactured interfaces ok? Thanks in advance, Andrew

[When you think you see the light at the end of the tunnel, remember it could be an express train heading your way]

[mjb]

If your car was first registered in 1998, it didn't leave the factory with a HDi engine. Either it's had a transplant, it's on an older plate than was bought with (vanity plate?) or it's a 1.9TD or 2.1TD, which are the only diesel 406s they made in 1998.

ELMs will work on later HDi's (after around 2002), more expensive generic scan tools will work on some models from '99 on. For a TD, you'll need a Lexia interface (£200 from china on ebay with illegal PP2000 software) or you'll have to go to a pug dealer and get 'em to plug their setup in.

[elmtreeandy]

Hi folks, my car was indeed registered in December 1998 (S reg) and it has had a 2.0 litre HDI engine from new. As such I take it that I will need the Peugeot planet software and interface to interrogate it? Thanks for the reply. Andrew

[turbolag]

No, any multi-protocol capable OBDII scanner will read the engine codes, but to read the body systems, ABS, aircon etc you'd need Planet/Lexia. For a pre 2002 car I think you need an ISO compatible scanner, but don't quote me because I've never tried it personally. I got a genuine Lexia interface and software with updates complete to Feb 2009 for £300 (a guy in another club bulk-bought a load from a dealer that was closing down) and it's worth every penny - if you're planning on maintaining your car yourself, it's cheaper and less hassle in the long run.

If your car has an OBD port then look at the layout of the available pins and that should give you a clue as to what, if any, protocol it uses http://scantool.imechatronics.com/obd_cable_drawing.png

[elmtreeandy]

Thanks Turbolag, I am going to give it a try with elmscan327 and a host of freebie software to see what is compatible. Andrew

[Doggy]

Please let us know how you get on, Andrew

[elmtreeandy]

Wow, what a day, been busy looking at diagnostic software for my 1998 2.0 HDI and yes I have got the year right.
I am using elm 327 interface version 1.3 with a variety of software.

Firstly PCM scan (trial version) It hooked up to the obd no problem at all.It was limited due to trial version but I am seriously thinking of paying the 99USD for the full license.

OBD-DIAG loaded it up and it just sat staring into Space for fifteen minutes informing me it was connecting. Unfortunately it never did.

WOBD (OBD2CRAZY) Seemed to connect to the interface but was unable to talk to the obd. Came up with "runtime error 91, object variable or with block variable not set". Anyone any ideas?

SCANTOOL Came up with invalid port number. Could not find any way of setting up port number so I got no further with this.

SCANMASTER Ahhhh seemed to connect up ok and gave me the following (among other delights) info "ECU connected auto iso 14230-4 (KWP5BAUD) I'm putting this in 'cos I've seen similar before which I believe identifies operating system of the ecu. I am pretty computer literate but no expert so hopefully it may mean something to someone. It did tell me on one screen i had no trouble codes but in another screen told me i had one DTC so I am not sure how accurate it may be.

DATA PRO Seems to talk to elm but not to obd.

That was as far as I have got. If anyone knows of other software I can try please let me know and I'll keep everyone informed. All that I have tried is freely available online but I think for more definitive testing I will have to pull out some hard earned euros (I live in Spain). I am about to undergo major back surgery in the near future so if you don't hear from me for a while you know why. Hope this is helpful and if anyone can add any more please do so.

I intend to play some more and add little faults on the car to see which software does the trick. At least I know that it is compatible with the cheaper end of the market connections so that should hopefully be the same for all models of HDI.

Finally when I had finished playing I discovered that the suspected fault I suffer with (High boost pressure) was cleared. I don't know which programme cleared it but i will find out - fault finding is one of my pet likes.

maybe one sunny day I may try and set up the timing which is I think slightly out - my local "mechanic" mucked it up and there is no 8mm thread for bolt location of camshaft - another tale for another day on mechanical system talk.

Good luck and good diagnosing.

Andrew

[Doggy]

Sorry, I didn't see this response for a while

Thanks for taking the time & trouble to post all of this information which is enlightening, (to me at least - others may know a lot more about this)

Some of them have the full Lexia/PPS systems which do everything - at a price, but I'm sure there's a lot of us would like to have something that could at least read fault codes. There's lots of sketchy info about, but not too much definitve, hard information - at least that's my perception (and I would be delighted to be proved wrong).....

[steve_earwig]

I don't think you're wrong - I haven't got a clue what's going on! This reader, that protocol, the other interface, early cars are one thing, later cars are another. I'm (not really) sure I could make sense of it if I tried (how many lanes on that bridge to Hawaii??) but hopefully I'll die of old age before it becomes absolutely necessary...