Code reader (and writer?)
Discussion
Sorry, I know this topic pops up now and again but some of the ones I found didn't answer everything.
Looking for-
-ideally not more than £150
-can read multi manufacturer specific codes (ideally bmw and Mercedes)
-be able to reset service indicators
-ideally can do other diagnostic stuff like purge abs pumps, air suspension diagnostic/tests etc
Any reccomendations? Chatgpt reckons Topdon or launch something or another
Looking for-
-ideally not more than £150
-can read multi manufacturer specific codes (ideally bmw and Mercedes)
-be able to reset service indicators
-ideally can do other diagnostic stuff like purge abs pumps, air suspension diagnostic/tests etc
Any reccomendations? Chatgpt reckons Topdon or launch something or another
After a long time looking at these with the same criteria as you, I was getting quite frustrated not being able to find something that matched your / my requirement.
The other big issue you should consider is if there is any annual subscription, these to me took the shine off some.
icarsoft make manufacture specific readers which will provide proper bi-directional control and the ability to work with all the ECU's ABS, Air Bags and code in new parts and force DPF regen etc
like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iCarsoft-Bidirectional-Di...
But this will only do BMW's. you can go the next level up and select 10 manufactures which you can work with. Think they are about £270. I was going to go this route then I worked out my cars plus friends and family 10 would not cover them. so went for the one which will do all manufactures... The CR Max. it's been great and no subscription and free updates.
The other big issue you should consider is if there is any annual subscription, these to me took the shine off some.
icarsoft make manufacture specific readers which will provide proper bi-directional control and the ability to work with all the ECU's ABS, Air Bags and code in new parts and force DPF regen etc
like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iCarsoft-Bidirectional-Di...
But this will only do BMW's. you can go the next level up and select 10 manufactures which you can work with. Think they are about £270. I was going to go this route then I worked out my cars plus friends and family 10 would not cover them. so went for the one which will do all manufactures... The CR Max. it's been great and no subscription and free updates.
MDT said:
After a long time looking at these with the same criteria as you, I was getting quite frustrated not being able to find something that matched your / my requirement.
The other big issue you should consider is if there is any annual subscription, these to me took the shine off some.
icarsoft make manufacture specific readers which will provide proper bi-directional control and the ability to work with all the ECU's ABS, Air Bags and code in new parts and force DPF regen etc
like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iCarsoft-Bidirectional-Di...
But this will only do BMW's. you can go the next level up and select 10 manufactures which you can work with. Think they are about £270. I was going to go this route then I worked out my cars plus friends and family 10 would not cover them. so went for the one which will do all manufactures... The CR Max. it's been great and no subscription and free updates.
What's the difference between something like the icarsoft and this topdon? It seems like a bit of a mazeThe other big issue you should consider is if there is any annual subscription, these to me took the shine off some.
icarsoft make manufacture specific readers which will provide proper bi-directional control and the ability to work with all the ECU's ABS, Air Bags and code in new parts and force DPF regen etc
like this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/iCarsoft-Bidirectional-Di...
But this will only do BMW's. you can go the next level up and select 10 manufactures which you can work with. Think they are about £270. I was going to go this route then I worked out my cars plus friends and family 10 would not cover them. so went for the one which will do all manufactures... The CR Max. it's been great and no subscription and free updates.
The topdon ad500 seems a good price on amazon
https://amzn.eu/d/0ckMbRRL
But I always feel like I'm missing something in the details?
Will something like this talk to all the ecus in the car? I'm guessing that'll be quite limited.
I don't mind being limited to 10 manufacturers tbh, I'll have a search around for that model?
The AD 500 will only talk to limited modules resets for steering angle, battery management, parking brake, engine, transmission across all makes and models. It won’t do bidirectional control- you can’t for example open a window or activate a purge valve.
An icarsoft will do everything but only on a single make (unless you get the 10 make or pro version)
Topdon artidiag EU does everything but only on VAG, BMW and Merc. Both have free updates.
Bidirectional control on all makes in a single tool is >£350 and won’t have free updates.
There are phone based tools that offer everything for less but are usually limited with cost options for extra functionality and a subscription.
An icarsoft will do everything but only on a single make (unless you get the 10 make or pro version)
Topdon artidiag EU does everything but only on VAG, BMW and Merc. Both have free updates.
Bidirectional control on all makes in a single tool is >£350 and won’t have free updates.
There are phone based tools that offer everything for less but are usually limited with cost options for extra functionality and a subscription.
Billy_Rosewood said:
What's the difference between something like the icarsoft and this topdon? It seems like a bit of a maze
The topdon ad500 seems a good price on amazon
https://amzn.eu/d/0ckMbRRL
But I always feel like I'm missing something in the details?
Will something like this talk to all the ecus in the car? I'm guessing that'll be quite limited.
I don't mind being limited to 10 manufacturers tbh, I'll have a search around for that model?
I would suggest you should have a good think about what you actually want and or need from this tool. If you are needing / want to have the ability to scan all the ECU's (30+ in some of my cars) then you will need to dig a bit deeper. The topdon ad500 seems a good price on amazon
https://amzn.eu/d/0ckMbRRL
But I always feel like I'm missing something in the details?
Will something like this talk to all the ecus in the car? I'm guessing that'll be quite limited.
I don't mind being limited to 10 manufacturers tbh, I'll have a search around for that model?
I would recommend you should take some time and watch a few vids on youtube and see what you are getting into.
These guys are fairly good at demonstrating the tools and their limitations.
https://www.youtube.com/@scantoolnetwork4812/video...
Arrived this morning.
Seems to find a whole bunch of ECUs. Was able to read some internal Mercedes codes as well as read values for the air suspension etc. Pretty much what I wanted. Also let me toggle the compressor on/off as well as a few other functions which I didn't try.
Not massively intuitive, but seems decent so far!
Will try it on the BMW later this afternoon.
Seems to find a whole bunch of ECUs. Was able to read some internal Mercedes codes as well as read values for the air suspension etc. Pretty much what I wanted. Also let me toggle the compressor on/off as well as a few other functions which I didn't try.
Not massively intuitive, but seems decent so far!
Will try it on the BMW later this afternoon.
Will give it a try.. I did connect it to the wifi but didn't run an update as my cars aren't newer than 2020!
Doesn't give individual cell voltages for the bmws hybrid battery, but gives the highest and lowest cell figures which is good enough for the price! State of charge is available but not state of health which would have been good.
Pretty decent so far though!
Doesn't give individual cell voltages for the bmws hybrid battery, but gives the highest and lowest cell figures which is good enough for the price! State of charge is available but not state of health which would have been good.
Pretty decent so far though!
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