Pre 2000 Fault Code Reader

[kadtoy]

Hi all,

I am looking for a suitable fault code reader to be used on my X Reg Ka.

I have searched the internet but they all seem to be from 2001.

Any suggestions.

[jeebowhite]

The problem is that it wasnt really until 2001 when they became a standard. and 2004 when you saw them on pretty much every car out there.

As far as yours is concerned, if you have the OBDII interface (best check as you may only have OBDI or CANI) in which case, you would need an appropriate generic error code reader for that interface...

[kadtoy]

Thanks for the information,

Now the next question how would I identify the interface, is there some difference in them?

Sorry for so many questions.

[mash668]

I am looking for a reader for my sons x plate focus.

I know that the obd2 wont work cause I have tried one. Any ideas for a suitable reader for this age of car? Just need to be able to read the error codes and clear them down, along with clearing the eml.

[jeebowhite]

If you both have an OBD port in the car, then its likely to be OBDI as opposed to OBDII.

The best bet is to contact sellers and ask if they will accept returns if they cannot guarantee its working ability.

Long story short, 2004 was the year when pretty much all cars use the OBDII Standard. Anything before 2001 was not guaranteed to have OBD, if it did, it would be one of few to have OBDII and would have been more likely to have had OBDI.

[mash668]

Many thanks, Trying to find a tool now that is obd1. Will hang on to the obd2 that I bought, well you never know when it might be of use in the future !!

[mash668]

Tried the obd 2 again just in case doing something wrong and managed to clear down the eml. What I was left with was "CAT not ready, O2S not ready, and HO2S not ready". I understand that the system has not finished doing its checks on these items but waited several minutes and still same. Any ideas how long these checks take? CAT I presume is the CAT but what are the other two?

Car runs rough when trying to accelerate hard, seems to hold back, fuel/air issue? or timing issue? Probably need a full diagnostics check at the "stealers". Any help appreciated.

[jeebowhite]

O2 and HO2 are probably the oxygen sensor banks...

The hard running could be as simple as a dirty fuel filter and needs replacing.

When was it last done?

[AdeMk1]

They mean the same thing really, O2 is an Oxygen Sensor & HO2 is a Heated Oxygen Sensor.

Some arlier engines used a single wire Oxygen Sensor that sent a signal directly to the ECU (O2S).

Later models (mostly OBD1 and newer) use a 4 or 5 wire Oxygen Sensor that include an integrated heater ciruit to assist in sensor responsiveness. These are labeled "Heated Oxygen Sensors" (HO2S).

Was the car running?

[mash668]

They mean the same thing really, O2 is an Oxygen Sensor & HO2 is a Heated Oxygen Sensor.

Was the car running?

I thought the O2 codes were to do with oxygen but wasn't 100% sure.

No the engine wasn't running because the reader instructions say not to run car with reader plugged in (it is only one of the £20 ones you can get, nothing fancy) although I did try and the screen just goes to black squares. I have double checked and it is still working!!

O2 and HO2 are probably the oxygen sensor banks...

The hard running could be as simple as a dirty fuel filter and needs replacing.

When was it last done?

Not sure when the filters were last done, will try to get an answer from my Son but he's a bit busy in a hot and dusty place at the mo.

Cheers for the help so far.