OBDII Code reader test on CATCRD.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:05 am

CATCRD came over today to try out my code reader.

I had previously tried the code reader on the old mans Jeep and found that it worked only when the Jeep was running, and when the key was only turned to "on" it would not work.

So CATCRD came over today to try it on his Jeep.

First off we tried it with the engine running and MAF disconnected, it showed a P0102, P0004, and 3A00 WTF?

So then we tried it with the engine off key to on, the code reader worked and read only the P0102. After clearing the 0102 and starting back up(with maf disconnected) it threw no codes for several start-off cycles, and read no codes at all while running.

So now we have tested this code reader on 2 CRDs and it has worked, here it is for $40 at harbor freight, sometimes it is on sale for $30 as well.

Link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=46030

cntrline36 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 8:23 am

I have one of those that I've been using for a while. It seems to do OK on engine codes but not on any thing else on the CRD. We've lost a couple of wheel sensors, brake light switch, and had a LR brake light socket fry. That particular code reader did not show any of those. It also will not work on a PSD Ford. All in all though, it is worth the money to have around to check engine codes and turn off the CEL.

HTH,
Clint

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 9:51 am

I need to read back through my ScanGauge manual when I install it this morning but it seems when I read it last night, and when I borrowed another brand at an auto parts store to clear the P0102 prior to some dealer service I could "clear" the code to turn off the EL but then I needed to clear the memory where the code was stored as well, there was a two step process. Does this unit allow clearing the codes from the memory?

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:02 pm

cntrline36 wrote:

I have one of those that I've been using for a while. It seems to do OK on engine codes but not on any thing else on the CRD. We've lost a couple of wheel sensors, brake light switch, and had a LR brake light socket fry. That particular code reader did not show any of those. It also will not work on a PSD Ford. All in all though, it is worth the money to have around to check engine codes and turn off the CEL.

HTH,
Clint

I do not know how many codes the BCM will return for things like that. I have never gotten anything like that to trip a CEL.

Cowcatcher wrote:

I need to read back through my ScanGauge manual when I install it this morning but it seems when I read it last night, and when I borrowed another brand at an auto parts store to clear the P0102 prior to some dealer service I could "clear" the code to turn off the EL but then I needed to clear the memory where the code was stored as well, there was a two step process. Does this unit allow clearing the codes from the memory?

Yes, this unit flashes the codes 3 times, then displays "LAUNCH", it after repeating this cycle 3 times it clears the codes.

So basically it displays the codes 9 times then clears them.

UFO · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:07 pm

I think I contributed to some off-topic stuff on the Scangauge group buy thread, and it got deleted. Anyway, it would fit better here anyway. I got the "other" $40 scan tool from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=94169

It wouldn't work quite right, hangs up on the scanning PWM, and soemone suggested to only plug it in far enough to power it up and run through the initialization that way.
Well, it works now using that process. I read the codes (none in my case, but ORM to follow), and even read the VIN, so I'm feeling a little better about blowing $40.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:33 pm

UFO wrote:

I think I contributed to some off-topic stuff on the Scangauge group buy thread, and it got deleted. Anyway, it would fit better here anyway. I got the "other" $40 scan tool from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=94169

It wouldn't work quite right, hangs up on the scanning PWM, and soemone suggested to only plug it in far enough to power it up and run through the initialization that way.
Well, it works now using that process. I read the codes (none in my case, but ORM to follow), and even read the VIN, so I'm feeling a little better about blowing $40.

Just for grins can you go ahead and pull the MAF to get a CEL and make sure that yours pulls codes? It would be nice to see that we have options in code readers, though it sounds like yours may be problematic.

What part of CO you in?

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:40 pm

UFO wrote:

I think I contributed to some off-topic stuff on the Scangauge group buy thread, and it got deleted. Anyway, it would fit better here anyway. [/b]

Must have happened fast as I saw no deletions. I did post the group buy here and in the general forum, perhaps the info you posted was there.

UFO · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:04 pm

Cowcatcher wrote:

UFO wrote:

I think I contributed to some off-topic stuff on the Scangauge group buy thread, and it got deleted. Anyway, it would fit better here anyway. [/b]

Must have happened fast as I saw no deletions. I did post the group buy here and in the general forum, perhaps the info you posted was there.

Possible, but I rarely go out into the general forum.

UFO · **Posted:** Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:06 pm

Sir Sam wrote:

Just for grins can you go ahead and pull the MAF to get a CEL and make sure that yours pulls codes? It would be nice to see that we have options in code readers, though it sounds like yours may be problematic.

What part of CO you in?

I'll go ahead and do that tonight. I wouldn't recommend that code reader, as it's a bit tricky to get it to come up and function. I'm glad I could get it to work, and when I get another, it will be more like the Scangauge. I'm in NW Denver.

edon · **Posted:** Sat Sep 01, 2007 12:48 am

UFO's style of reader should read codes ok. Mine does (picks up at least P0102 & P1140 no problem). I just wanted him to try the "trick" on his to make sure it just wasn't a fluke with mine.

bentrod · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:26 pm

cntrline36 wrote:

I have one of those that I've been using for a while. It seems to do OK on engine codes but not on any thing else on the CRD. We've lost a couple of wheel sensors, brake light switch, and had a LR brake light socket fry. That particular code reader did not show any of those. It also will not work on a PSD Ford. All in all though, it is worth the money to have around to check engine codes and turn off the CEL.

HTH,
Clint

When you say "turn off the CEL" do you mean that for after a repair OR do you mean one can shut off the CEL for good- like to keep it off due to a ORM?
Thanks!

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:34 pm

The OBDII code reader will read a stored code and also allow you to erase it. With the ORM the CEL comes on after start-up but will not re-report until you go through another re-start cycle. If you clear the CEL after start up then it will not show on the dash and if another code appears your will know that it is from a different source than the ORM. The reader will also allow you to clear unwanted codes before visiting the dealer for service.

bentrod · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 1:35 pm

Cowcatcher wrote:

The OBDII code reader will read a stored code and also allow you to erase it. With the ORM the CEL comes on after start-up but will not re-report until you go through another re-start cycle. If you clear the CEL after start up then it will not show on the dash and if another code appears your will know that it is from a different source than the ORM. The reader will also allow you to clear unwanted codes before visiting the dealer for service.

Forgive me for being slow...it this what you mean...

OK, so if you clear the light, one would have to clear it after every start up, correct?!
That's not alot of fun..
You smart- me dumb.
Thanks again!

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:25 pm

bentrod wrote:

Cowcatcher wrote:

The OBDII code reader will read a stored code and also allow you to erase it. With the ORM the CEL comes on after start-up but will not re-report until you go through another re-start cycle. If you clear the CEL after start up then it will not show on the dash and if another code appears your will know that it is from a different source than the ORM. The reader will also allow you to clear unwanted codes before visiting the dealer for service.

Forgive me for being slow...it this what you mean...

OK, so if you clear the light, one would have to clear it after every start up, correct?!
That's not alot of fun..
You smart- me dumb.
Thanks again!

That's the process if you do it each time, I don't.

You can also choose to do the basic ORM and live with the CEL.
You can also choose to do the auto ORM or SEGR mod but you need to splice into you wiring harness.
You can also choose to leave it stock and run the risk of a much shortened EGR life and when the EGR fails you will have a limping CRD until you get it fixed.

As I said, life is full of options.

Johnboy · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:22 pm

So in summary, the little black one above for $30-40 works to clear codes and shut off the CEL each trip...

Next question: Hypotheticaly, if you were daily driving and you got a second code, i.e. something else fails that requires dealership attention, could you selectively clear the code due to the ORM and leave the other(s)?

Next question: Is fuel mileage improved much? Couple miles per gallon? I know it varies by CRD, just on average one could expect what?

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:26 pm

Johnboy wrote:

So in summary, the little black one above for $30-40 works to clear codes and shut off the CEL each trip...

Next question: Hypotheticaly, if you were daily driving and you got a second code, i.e. something else fails that requires dealership attention, could you selectively clear the code due to the ORM and leave the other(s)?

Next question: Is fuel mileage improved much? Couple miles per gallon? I know it varies by CRD, just on average one could expect what?

No, the code reader I posted will not selectively clear codes, however if you were to read the code, see what it indicated, clear all codes, then plug the MAF back in if the problem that caused the other code came back it would be there without the MAF code.

Johnboy · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:30 pm

Thanks, I was kind of thinking that would work. Looks like another $40 for the beloved CRD.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:38 pm

I think the ScanGauge will allow selective clearing but I haven't tried it yet.

I drove without the ORM for several weeks after a dealer visit because I couldn't recall how to release the secondary latch on the connector ( :oops:

Thanks LOST CRD folks for conseling me through that). When I plugged it back in I saw between a 1.5 and 2 MPG gain.

UFO · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:18 pm

Cowcatcher wrote:

I think the ScanGauge will allow selective clearing but I haven't tried it yet.

I drove without the ORM for several weeks after a dealer visit because I couldn't recall how to release the secondary latch on the connector ( :oops:

Thanks LOST CRD folks for conseling me through that). When I plugged it back in I saw between a 1.5 and 2 MPG gain.

I expect to be on the road this weekend. I'll have to check that out myself.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:09 pm

Cowcatcher wrote:

I think the ScanGauge will allow selective clearing but I haven't tried it yet.

I drove without the ORM for several weeks after a dealer visit because I couldn't recall how to release the secondary latch on the connector ( :oops:

Thanks LOST CRD folks for conseling me through that). When I plugged it back in I saw between a 1.5 and 2 MPG gain.

Dave.

Are you saying you get better mileage with the MAF plugged in :?:

Thanks
Joe

OBDII Code reader test on CATCRD.

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