Can anyone recommend a fault code reader

[Dorsetfreelander]

I have just had a fault on a FL2 diagnosed at an independent LR specialist and he charged £45 +vat for the diagnostics. I was wondering if anyone can recommend something I can plug in to do this myself? We have a Freelander 1 and 2 at home.

Thanks

[tsam19]

Hawkeye by Bearmach is the one everyone uses for home DIY diagnostics.

Though it's expensive because they charge you for an individual code for each vehicle.

Initially you get one code when you buy the device and any extra codes have to be bought separately.

You can buy a multi code package.

I personally used the hawkeye on my Freelander TD4 version 1 and to be honest it does very little, reads codes, clears them and thats about it, pretty limited.

I sold it in the end.

[RJF]

It depends.

I have a generic EOBD code reader. This will read basic fault codes and some live data from (in theory) any post 2001 petrol or post 2003/4 diesel. It is a Gendan GCR25 and I think it was about £60.

I also have a Bearmach Hawkeye which is specific to Land Rovers. Mine is activated for Freelander1s and it was brilliant for sorting out my auto box problems (the generic EOBD readers will generally only deal with engine codes). The downside is that it is expensive for a home user (£300ish new, I bought s/h for about £160). To use it for FL1 and 2, you'd need to buy an additional vehicle unlock code, so it would get close to £500 all in - that's quite a lot of code reads at your local specialist and they'd be using more capable kit.

I've used a Sykes Picavant ACR code reader in the past on older Rovers and Alfas (pre EOBD).

All the readers I've used are good and reasonably easy to usen, but it depends on how much you are likely to use them. I'd have to think long and hard about buying a Hawkeye at full retail, especially as a home user, but it does have a lot of features. A generic EOBD reader is quite cheap now, will work on all modern cars, but only provide basic information.

Rob

[Ally V8]

£45 + Vat may seem expensive for a fault code read,but you have to keep this in perspective.An Autologic set up for land Rovers only is currently £8000 + Vat,plus £800 a year for updates etc.The IDS/SDD dealer tool is less but needs subscriptions and fast broadband to get the best from it.All this needs paying for....Then there is around £1100 a year for Topix - LR's online workshop manual/electrical guide/TSB info system.

So you see its not cheap,its part of maintaining a modern,complex,consumable car - which you have to pay for,one way or another.