I've been having a time with my SES light coming on. Initially it was low oil. I bought a quart and put too much in (not on a level surface when filling). Then I let some out and achieved proper level. SES light stayed on and I want to know why. Saw the R5/EMX Diagnostic tool from Peake Research. Sounds like this will give you a fault code but don't know if these things come with a diagnostic reference list of some knid or any of the troubleshooting flowcharts, etc. Supposed to let you reset some things too but don't know if you could reset the SES light through programing with the dash buttons. What device is best for those of us that don't want to pay $100 every time some diagnostic light comes on to see what it is:impatient ?

BD

 

AutoZone has a code reader for around $80.00. It also allows you to clear the codes, which resets the SES.

 

I bought an Actron OBDII scanner off of eBay for not much.



It has been a big help in retrieving codes and reseting the SEL. Works in a lot of different cars too.

 

I have the same one and it does the job. Best part is it not only shows the code but tells you what the code is.

 

I got this one at Pep Boys for $80. Now I found it here for $62: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...nce&n=15684181

Works fine, comes with a list of codes, but the Bently manual codes are more detailed.

E-Bay listings: http://search.ebay.com/PocketScan-Co...5_W0QQfromZR40

 

I use Autoenginuity software on my Palm. Communicates via bluetooth and does way more that read codes.

 

I just wish you could clear the airbag light with one of these.

 

I thought most of the codes these can read are only emmissions related?

 

That is the Holy Grail! Peake has one for BMW



But I have never heard of anyone testing it successfully on a MINI.

There were rumors that the Ross-Tech product BiM-COM would do it as well, but no solid proof there either.

 

Harbor Freight Tools had a cheapo standard OBDII for < $20. I got one, and it's ok. Does what I'd expect of a $20 OBD. Shows codes, and has a codebook. Nothing fancy, and it can reset fault alarms... Just not complex or car specific ones... Only generic OBDII ones.

 

I have a Mastertech MT-3100. Check it out at www.vetronix.com It's hardcore, but only the Global OBDII functions work on the European imports. I can do airbags and ABS codes on several domestic and Asian makes, but not the European cars. Can't will 'em all, I suppose.

Rawhyde

 

You can go to AutoZone and they will come out and plug their reader into your car and give you the assessment. My experience; it depends on the person you get to read them.... some are good and have interest and experience. Others just want you to get outta their hair and leave them alone. I was successful in isolating a fuel injector gone bad on a Honda CRV.

The better guys can be REALLY sharp and get alot of exposure. The other type are worthless and should not be paid.

That is my 2cents.

-azminied

 

This is the same scanner my local AutoZone uses - was just there last night to check and clear an SES code. Yesterday I was researching OBD-II devices and ran across this which looks promising. I have an iPaq I don't use anymore and coupled with a serial adapter and this cable it looks like it might do quite a bit more if he continues to develop it. Hmmm - more $$ to spend

 

this is wat i use too. $65.

 

I have the MINI-Mania tool, which is a Peake tool.

It works great and comes with a complete CEL codes manual.

Well-worth the money!

 

I also have the Mini-mania tool (Peake). Very good investment in my opinion. No more unnecessary trips to the dealer or autozone.

 

so how much does the Peake to let you do, just read and reset codes or can you do tuning, adjust memory options, any active realtime enigine status readings??

 

Mine is very simple - I can read error codes, clear codes and reset the SES light, reset the oil change interval and one other simple operation. To my knowledge, no real time data and no tuning.

 

yea I think I'm probably looking for something similar to an MTH, just wondering what the tool actually did compared to the rest

 

I'm kinda in the same boat. Looking for a code reader/resetter, but was hoping I could get something more like laptop software that was a little more flexible. The Auto Engenuity product looks cool though. Only problem is that it's $250 bucks!

 

I picked up one of the actron scantools, now I'm looking into how I can use the cable to convert it to a PC thing so I can run some laptop software, or I'll wait long enough and have the $$$ for an MTH

 

Which one did you get?

 

Well, just picked up one of the Actron 9125, and it works perfect. It reads the code, and erases them, allowing you to get rid of the service engine soon light.

 

Just wanted to relate a short story. I will always cary one of these devices with me now. I have a Peake, not "cheap" but does the job. Any way, for the story. I was attending a track day at Buttonwillow last month. I was having trouble trusting my brakes (wilwood BP-10 pads good on the street, bad on the track). Since my concentration was shot, I over rev'ed my engine a few times which sent it into "limp home mode" , check engine light came on and no power. Yah, it scared me at first, thought I might have messed something up big time. I waited for the session to end before driving into the pits at a top speed of 5 mph. This gave me a few minutes to think things through. In the pits I first checked my shorts then used my PEAKE tool to read the faults and reset the check engine light. I can not remember the fault exactly, but it was something to the effect of "error in the electronic throttle sensor". This confirmed my suspision that it was probably due to my bumping the rev limiter too many times and not catastrophic. Following that, I pulled the battery cable off for about ten minutes to reset the ECU and pulled a spark plug to see if the limp home mode soiled them. They looked ok, so I replaced the battery cable, the plug and tried to restart my MCS. NOTHING HAPPENED so I check my shorts again, tried the key one more time to make sure and it started up like nothing ever happened . I am thinking I may not have had the clutch in all the way the first time I tryed to restart the car.
All this to say, get a tool, the more features the better, it's worth it. The tool will save you money, time and head aches.

 

This one, does everything that Actron offers except live readings, noe if only they could make one that handled all of the MINI specific otions and tunning.